#3 wasn't coming out and it looks like some sort of insert in there - any idea how to get this plug out or what I should do?
Spark Plug Stuck in Insert? (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter MarcusAurelius
- Start date
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thatcabledude
GOLD Star
Is it the rubber from inside the spark plug socket?
Got a pair of hemostats/foreceps?
- Thread starter
- #3
It's definitely not from my spark plug socket, I'm wondering if that rubber is part of the metal insert..or maybe a previous owner/mechanic.
thatcabledude
GOLD Star
So your socket won’t go all the way down on the plug so you can turn it? Remove the rubber piece from your plug socket and try.
- Thread starter
- #5
Right, it won't turn at all - that rubber is blocking the socket from the plug, I just tried to use a normal deep socket as well.
thatcabledude
GOLD Star
Just get creative and rip it out of there. Hemostat/forceps, a long right angle pick, etc
- Thread starter
- #7
That rubber or gunk out whatever it was is gone, here is a better pick now.. Can't seat the socket against anything though currently.
It's an old broken off spark plug wire grommet.
I had to use a set of dental type picks and laid on top of the engine for about 2 hours picking at it until I could get just the right bite.
Hemostats are the right tool if you can find a set long enough. Mine was on #6 plug, so you couldn't see down into it.
Might be worth trying something like a stick with crazy glue on the end of it, or some kind of super adhesive pad tied onto the stick. Just be sure you don’t touch the walls with it. And that it’s tied or glued on really really well…
- Thread starter
- #10
Ordered some 12 inch hemostats and some picks..so once that grommet is out if I can get it out, does the plug come with it? Or can I then use a socket?
I ran into a similar situation a year or so ago (never use made in Chyna kerapp spark plug wire sets, they're more likely to snap off like that IME).
If long picks don't work, try any long thin tool to grab it and try compressed air if you have it (or a wet vac) to blow the stuck pieces or pieces out or dislodge them. I have a 10" long pair of tweezers (sold at pet stores, used to feed snapping turtles so you don't lose a finger) that comes
in handy now and then but don't think that would work in this situation.
As mentioned above, long pair of hemostats might help.
This may sound drastic, but I ended up putting together a few adaptors on my cordless ratchet so I could slide a 7/8" hole saw down the tube to grind the plastic into bits. I then blew the bits out with my wet vac by taping a narrow nose funnel to the wet vac hose end and reversed the hose to the blow position which worked surprisingly well. If you have compressed air, better.
The 7/8" hole saw is small enough to fit down the spark plug tube, large enough to fit over the insulator, but also small enough where it will bottom out on the hex for the spark plug (so you don't grind into the head).
After the stuck spark plug boot was ground up the air pressure blew the bits out, then removed the spark plug as usual.
If long picks don't work, try any long thin tool to grab it and try compressed air if you have it (or a wet vac) to blow the stuck pieces or pieces out or dislodge them. I have a 10" long pair of tweezers (sold at pet stores, used to feed snapping turtles so you don't lose a finger) that comes
in handy now and then but don't think that would work in this situation.
As mentioned above, long pair of hemostats might help.
This may sound drastic, but I ended up putting together a few adaptors on my cordless ratchet so I could slide a 7/8" hole saw down the tube to grind the plastic into bits. I then blew the bits out with my wet vac by taping a narrow nose funnel to the wet vac hose end and reversed the hose to the blow position which worked surprisingly well. If you have compressed air, better.
The 7/8" hole saw is small enough to fit down the spark plug tube, large enough to fit over the insulator, but also small enough where it will bottom out on the hex for the spark plug (so you don't grind into the head).
After the stuck spark plug boot was ground up the air pressure blew the bits out, then removed the spark plug as usual.
Milwaukee 7/8 in. Hole Dozer Bi-Metal Hole Saw 49-56-9607 - The Home Depot
The Milwaukee Hole Dozer Hole Saw features Rip guard, the strongest tooth form in the industry, backed by the Rip guard limited lifetime tooth break warranty. Each tooth is built with more steel behind
www.homedepot.com
Last edited:
WarDamnEagle
SILVER Star
So to be clear, you pulled your wires off, including this one, and there's nothing missing? I don't see how the socket could have been connected unless this is part of it. Just curious.
Why can’t I like this twice?
- Thread starter
- #14
I did not notice anything missing, I might have thrown away the old wires so I can't gaurentee some of the boot didn't tear off. So this might be part of that boot and not some rubber grommet part of the insert then.
- Thread starter
- #15
Awesome, I will give this a try..I think I pushed the rubber down or something when I used a non spark plug socket, but I still see some of the rubber so should be able to get at it. Have compressed air so should be able to shoot it out if I can't pull it out. Hoping there's not more issues getting it out with that metal insert it is in, it almost looks like the insert is above the hex part of the plug, but hard to tell from top down.I ran into a similar situation a year or so ago (never use made in Chyna kerapp spark plug wire sets, they're more likely to snap off like that IME).
If long picks don't work, try any long thin tool to grab it and try compressed air if you have it (or a wet vac) to blow the stuck pieces or pieces out or dislodge them. I have a 10" long pair of tweezers (sold at pet stores, used to feed snapping turtles so you don't lose a finger) that comes
in handy now and then but don't think that would work in this situation.
As mentioned above, long pair of hemostats might help.
This may sound drastic, but I ended up putting together a few adaptors on my cordless ratchet so I could slide a 7/8" hole saw down the tube to grind the plastic into bits. I then blew the bits out with my wet vac by taping a narrow nose funnel to the wet vac hose end and reversed the hose to the blow position which worked surprisingly well. If you have compressed air, better.
The 7/8" hole saw is small enough to fit down the spark plug tube, large enough to fit over the insulator, but also small enough where it will bottom out on the hex for the spark plug (so you don't grind into the head).
After the stuck spark plug boot was ground up the air pressure blew the bits out, then removed the spark plug as usual.
Milwaukee 7/8 in. Hole Dozer Bi-Metal Hole Saw 49-56-9607 - The Home Depot
The Milwaukee Hole Dozer Hole Saw features Rip guard, the strongest tooth form in the industry, backed by the Rip guard limited lifetime tooth break warranty. Each tooth is built with more steel behindwww.homedepot.com
- Thread starter
- #16
Found the old wires, 2 boots are missing. This could definitely be one of them. No clue where the other boot would be.
Here is what I did:
Do you have your original spark plug socket?
If your answer is yes, you are in luck. Line up the socket and gently tap with a hammer. The socket is a bit sharp and will cut into the rubber. If you hold the socket loosely, it will align itself with the plug. Once it catches, you should be able to remove the plug.
Do you have your original spark plug socket?
If your answer is yes, you are in luck. Line up the socket and gently tap with a hammer. The socket is a bit sharp and will cut into the rubber. If you hold the socket loosely, it will align itself with the plug. Once it catches, you should be able to remove the plug.
How did you ensure that no pieces fell into the head?
Once the socket cut into the plug nut part and I was able to budge it loose, I shoved a vacuum hose in the hole to suck up any rubber pieces. Once it’s loose you can typically spin the plug Socket with your fingers. Right before you pull the plug completely hose it out again for good measure.
I just had exact same thing happen on #6. I simply reinserted the plug wire with the missing rubber piece and it 'locked' back into the rubber piece. I gently pulled it back out.
