Can't physically get to #7 spark plug
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 233
From: Placitas NM
St. Jude Contributor '03 & '04
Can't physically get to #7 spark plug
Need a little advice. I can't get my hands into the engine compartment far enought to remove the spark plug boot to the driver's side fire wall plug. I believe this is number #7. I really don't want to take it in for anyone else to work on. Do you have any advice?
Thanks,
rr
Thanks,
rr
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
I had a socket extension with two elbows. Not sure of the technical name of the tool. I just worked it over the plug then used the ratchet to loosen, after it was loose I turned the extension by hand, put a little side pressure on the plug and pulled it out with the socket. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
Originally Posted by Road Runner
My problem is not removing the plug - I can't get my hand in far enough to remove the boot! Fat hand I guess. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
rr
Thanks,
rr
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
Just info,, I bought the Snap - On ball socket for the plug and the cost for 1 socket + $25 shipping was about $65.00 
. Yes I think the $25 shipping was too much,, given the cost of the socket. 99 Nassau Blue
. Yes I think the $25 shipping was too much,, given the cost of the socket. 99 Nassau Blue
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 19,105
Likes: 2
From: Paducah KY
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by jimcork1
Just info,, I bought the Snap - On ball socket for the plug and the cost for 1 socket + $25 shipping was about $65.00 . Yes I think the $25 shipping was too much,, given the cost of the socket. 99 Nassau Blue
. Yes I think the $25 shipping was too much,, given the cost of the socket. 99 Nassau Blue
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 3
From: Round Hill, VA
I followed the tech tip and took apart the vacumm hose and such. then a pint of blood and a pound of skin later I got them off. I'm 5'6" and have small hands then most and it still took me a bit to get it off. I started screaming words I've never even hear of. I had normal hand tools as well just one elbow and got them all done in about an hour.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 233
From: Placitas NM
St. Jude Contributor '03 & '04
You're much more talented than me. It took me two DAYS to remove the first boot that was welded onto the plug. Finally after attacking it with needle nose pliers the boot came off but he wire was 'welded' to the spark plug.
Each one has been a similar ordeal. I've got all of them out and replaced but the one buried in the drivers side firewall. I just can't get to the boot to pull it off. I've got all the wrenches that work to remove the plug once I get to it.
Thanks,
rr
Each one has been a similar ordeal. I've got all of them out and replaced but the one buried in the drivers side firewall. I just can't get to the boot to pull it off. I've got all the wrenches that work to remove the plug once I get to it.
Thanks,
rr
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,745
Likes: 3
From: North Texas Area Tx
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
remove the coil pack and that will give you more room. The coil pack is what the other end of the spark plug wire plugs into. Bolts to what would be the valve cover.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 3
From: Orland Park Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Originally Posted by Antvette
I followed the tech tip and took apart the vacumm hose and such.
I used basic tools (including a 3/8" swivel fitting for the socket & ratchet wrench extension), followed tech tip above and took my time. All 8 plugs changed in less than 60 minutes and this was the 1st time I changed plugs on my C5. BTW...I, too, have large hands.....Good luck....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 1
From: Foresters Falls(near Ottawa) Ont
Originally Posted by Z06-JIM
Here's a pic of the Snap-On double swivel socket.
RonJ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,251
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by Dave1998
find a female, wife, neighbor, daughter with a small hand. Others have done it
I'd rather pull the engine than go that route.But seriously, the boots stick to the ceramic. The two methods that I have found to work on removing the boots is to disconnect the plug wire from the coil so you can work without tension on it. then if you can get your fingers on it twist it before you pull it. Pulling it causes the suction to increase and makes it virtually impossible to remove. twist it to break the seal and then reach as close to the head as possible and pull off the boot. If you can't get your mits on it, sometimes a long screwdriver can be used to work the boot backwards by prying against the head to work the boot off. Cursing is par for the course. But remember when you reinstall them to squirt some dielectric grease on the wire/tip contact and rub some on the ceramic to make it possible to pull the boot off easier the next time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,320
Likes: 4
From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
you can loosen the air/egr rubber hose next to the master cylinder and push it out of the way. that will give you some more room to get to the plug wire and plug.
also, try a pair of long angled needle nose pliers to pull on the wire boot.
also, try a pair of long angled needle nose pliers to pull on the wire boot.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
Likes: 227
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by VetteNoob
you can loosen the air/egr rubber hose next to the master cylinder and push it out of the way. that will give you some more room to get to the plug wire and plug.
also, try a pair of long angled needle nose pliers to pull on the wire boot.
also, try a pair of long angled needle nose pliers to pull on the wire boot.
