Spark plug boot backing off
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
Spark plug boot backing off
This is sort of a spin off from another thread. My car was bucking and a member categorically stated the problem was a loose plug wire and he was exactly right.
The #5 wire was barely lying on the plug and pulled loose with barely any effort. I asked about some way to get more leverage on the #5 plug boot to be sure it was seated.
In searching on Tech forum, I found that several others have had similar problems with plug wires coming loose and it was the #5 plug wire for them as well.
Is there something about this plug that makes it harder to seat the wire? It for sure is restricted in getting pressure on the boot, but I don't think it's any worse and may not be as hard to get to as #7.
Any ideas on how to be SURE the plug boot is seated fully?
Charlie
The #5 wire was barely lying on the plug and pulled loose with barely any effort. I asked about some way to get more leverage on the #5 plug boot to be sure it was seated.
In searching on Tech forum, I found that several others have had similar problems with plug wires coming loose and it was the #5 plug wire for them as well.
Is there something about this plug that makes it harder to seat the wire? It for sure is restricted in getting pressure on the boot, but I don't think it's any worse and may not be as hard to get to as #7.
Any ideas on how to be SURE the plug boot is seated fully?
Charlie
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
There are a number of reasons that the boot will not stay on the plug:
1. There is trapped air in the boot that expands and causes the boot to pop off. Try wiggling the boot on the plug.
2. The metal connector inside the boot is pushed too up inside the boot and does not CLIP on to the metal part of the spark plug. OR the metal connector inside the boot has lost all of its tension and does not make proper connection on the plug.
3. ALL of the above!!!
You can spray some WD-40 on the area between the boot and the wire and work the wire into the boot to get the metal connection back down where it will snap on the spark plug.
If the metal connector wont physically SNAP onto the plug, its bad. Look in the boot and see if it is corroded, deformed, bent ect...
BC
1. There is trapped air in the boot that expands and causes the boot to pop off. Try wiggling the boot on the plug.
2. The metal connector inside the boot is pushed too up inside the boot and does not CLIP on to the metal part of the spark plug. OR the metal connector inside the boot has lost all of its tension and does not make proper connection on the plug.
3. ALL of the above!!!
You can spray some WD-40 on the area between the boot and the wire and work the wire into the boot to get the metal connection back down where it will snap on the spark plug.
If the metal connector wont physically SNAP onto the plug, its bad. Look in the boot and see if it is corroded, deformed, bent ect...
BC
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
There are a number of reasons that the boot will not stay on the plug:
1. There is trapped air in the boot that expands and causes the boot to pop off. Try wiggling the boot on the plug.
2. The metal connector inside the boot is pushed too up inside the boot and does not CLIP on to the metal part of the spark plug. OR the metal connector inside the boot has lost all of its tension and does not make proper connection on the plug.
3. ALL of the above!!!
You can spray some WD-40 on the area between the boot and the wire and work the wire into the boot to get the metal connection back down where it will snap on the spark plug.
If the metal connector wont physically SNAP onto the plug, its bad. Look in the boot and see if it is corroded, deformed, bent ect...
BC
1. There is trapped air in the boot that expands and causes the boot to pop off. Try wiggling the boot on the plug.
2. The metal connector inside the boot is pushed too up inside the boot and does not CLIP on to the metal part of the spark plug. OR the metal connector inside the boot has lost all of its tension and does not make proper connection on the plug.
3. ALL of the above!!!
You can spray some WD-40 on the area between the boot and the wire and work the wire into the boot to get the metal connection back down where it will snap on the spark plug.
If the metal connector wont physically SNAP onto the plug, its bad. Look in the boot and see if it is corroded, deformed, bent ect...
BC
Charlie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
A way to get the air out of the boot is to insert a small zip tie, between the boot and the wire, and then after you have the boot on the plug, as far as it will go, pull up and out on the zip tie, and remove it and all the trapped air as well. Then you can try to push the boot on further, if possible.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
You should hear a distinct "snap" or "click" as the wire seats correctly onto the spark plug. Also, a lot of people don't realize, the other end of the wire, where it mates to the coil, should be pushed on so that you hear TWO clicks or snaps.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
A way to get the air out of the boot is to insert a small zip tie, between the boot and the wire, and then after you have the boot on the plug, as far as it will go, pull up and out on the zip tie, and remove it and all the trapped air as well. Then you can try to push the boot on further, if possible.
It just took time for the boot to back off I guess.Thanks for the tips.
Charlie
