Spark Plug Replacement on C5 Question
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Nazareth PA
Spark Plug Replacement on C5 Question
Hi,
I am attempting to replace my spark plugs on my 2001 vette. I already have the spark plugs and wires. I am having difficulty removing the plugs with the metal shield that are connectedd to the spark plugs. I dont know if I am doing something wrong. I been twisting and pulling for 30min on one of them and nothing is happening. I ended pulling so hard that the wire snapped off but the the end is still attached to the spark plug. So now I have to change them since there is no goin back since one of the wires is snapped.
Do I pull by holding the metal shield. Is the metal shield screwed into something, or do I pull on the wire. I just cant seem to tell but 30 min on one wire and didnt even move doesnt sound right
Any ideas
Thanks
RB
I am attempting to replace my spark plugs on my 2001 vette. I already have the spark plugs and wires. I am having difficulty removing the plugs with the metal shield that are connectedd to the spark plugs. I dont know if I am doing something wrong. I been twisting and pulling for 30min on one of them and nothing is happening. I ended pulling so hard that the wire snapped off but the the end is still attached to the spark plug. So now I have to change them since there is no goin back since one of the wires is snapped.
Do I pull by holding the metal shield. Is the metal shield screwed into something, or do I pull on the wire. I just cant seem to tell but 30 min on one wire and didnt even move doesnt sound right
Any ideas
Thanks
RB
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Nazareth PA
I had to use angled pliers and gripped it on the metal shield, pulled and it came out. Of course I damaged the metal shield. Of course I cant use the angled plier on the other wires since I dont have room. Also it seems the wire is like melted/glued to the spark plugs. Thats why I think I am having hard time pullin them out. I will see if I can pull the remaining 7 out.
Do I have to use the metal shield on my Magnecor wire, since I am damaging them?
Do I have to use the metal shield on my Magnecor wire, since I am damaging them?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Sevierville TN
[QUOTE=ramez75;1580971519]seems the wire is like melted/glued to the spark plugs. QUOTE]
That's also the impression I had when I tried to change 'em!
I had already ordered new wires and plugs when I changed mine so, I grabbed the rubber just outboard of the tin and twisted, yanked, and cussed 'till something come loose.
Yeah, I think the heat shields are recommended to be used.
Good luck!
Sonny
That's also the impression I had when I tried to change 'em!
I had already ordered new wires and plugs when I changed mine so, I grabbed the rubber just outboard of the tin and twisted, yanked, and cussed 'till something come loose.
Yeah, I think the heat shields are recommended to be used.
Good luck!
Sonny
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From: Nazareth PA
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From: Nazareth PA
So after 2 hours I was able to get the wires on the driver side. Two of them snapped because the wire seems melted on the spark plug. The way I ended up doing it was using nose pliers. I slided the nose plier between the metal shield and the wire and gripped the metal shield and pulled.
I dont think this will work on the passenger side because I dont have room to squeeze the nose plier. I will have to figure out a way for the passenger side to have a grip on the wires.
Hope fully i get done with the wires and go to start removing the sparks
I dont think this will work on the passenger side because I dont have room to squeeze the nose plier. I will have to figure out a way for the passenger side to have a grip on the wires.
Hope fully i get done with the wires and go to start removing the sparks
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Maple Grove Minnesota
at work I have a spark plug wire pliers for this reason. I usually put that around the shielded part and then use a small pry bar to push the pliers away from the motor. careful where u place the bar so nothing gets broken or crushed.
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From: Nazareth PA
Thats sweet I might invest in getting one, where do you buy such a tool. Ijust got done with removing all the wires using the nose plier on most of them. It took me 3 hours. Tomorrow i will tackle the spark plugs
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From: Southwest Kansas
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I understand your pain. The best thing I found was, twisting the wire back and forth (many, many times) until it breaks loose from the plug.
I suggest that you use dielectric grease, fairly liberally, inside the new boots when you install the new wires. I also put anti-sieze on the threads.
BTW, if you think it's tough on your C5 try it doing the plugs on a C4 or better yet, a transverse V6 in a GM FWD car (Bonneville).
I suggest that you use dielectric grease, fairly liberally, inside the new boots when you install the new wires. I also put anti-sieze on the threads.
BTW, if you think it's tough on your C5 try it doing the plugs on a C4 or better yet, a transverse V6 in a GM FWD car (Bonneville).
Last edited by teebee; Jun 2, 2012 at 06:20 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Nazareth PA
I understand your pain. The best thing I found was, twisting the wire back and forth (many, many times) until it breaks loose from the plug.
I suggest that you use dielectric grease, fairly liberally, inside the new boots when you install the new wires. I also put anti-sieze on the threads.
I suggest that you use dielectric grease, fairly liberally, inside the new boots when you install the new wires. I also put anti-sieze on the threads.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Dayton, Oregon
Oldtimer
I understand your pain. The best thing I found was, twisting the wire back and forth (many, many times) until it breaks loose from the plug.
I suggest that you use dielectric grease, fairly liberally, inside the new boots when you install the new wires. I also put anti-sieze on the threads.
BTW, if you think it's tough on your C5 try it doing the plugs on a C4 or better yet, a transverse V6 in a GM FWD car (Bonneville).
I suggest that you use dielectric grease, fairly liberally, inside the new boots when you install the new wires. I also put anti-sieze on the threads.
BTW, if you think it's tough on your C5 try it doing the plugs on a C4 or better yet, a transverse V6 in a GM FWD car (Bonneville).
Thread Starter
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From: Nazareth PA
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From: Maple Grove Minnesota
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Vancouver B.C.
Hey RB, I went through the same process changing plugs and wires on my 02. The original wires appeared to have been installed at the factory with rubber cement instead of dielectric grease. Chunks of the rubber boots were left on the plugs when I got them off using pliers and I destroyed most of the metal heat shields in the process. I replaced my wires with Magnecors like you and I did not re-use the metal heat shields. I just changed my plugs again and the wires are still in great shape. Of course I used dielectric on the new wires each time. I see no need to use the metal heat shields with the Magnecor wires - they're just a PITA.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Nazareth PA
Just got done with installing the new spark plugs and the magnecor wires. The installation wasnt that bad, I was also able to use the heat shield. Use anti-seize and di-electric grease.
Removing the old spark plugs was a PITA, one of the spark plugs on the passenger side broke but I still was able to get it out
Removing the old spark plugs was a PITA, one of the spark plugs on the passenger side broke but I still was able to get it out
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From: Rockledge FL
i should have paid someone because now i am so dehydrated my tongue is sticking to the roof of my mouth.