Plug won't budge, what to do?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,294
Likes: 2
From: Suffolk, Long Island NY
Plug won't budge, what to do?
I just finished 7 out of 8 plugs and wires, and of couse of all plugs, the rear driver's side plug won't budge. I can get to it with no problem at all, with just a swivel socket, small extention, and ratchet.
A few other plugs gave me trouble also. They'd be hard to break free, then once they'd start moving, they creaked till they're halfway out.
So what should I do? Since these are aluminum heads I know not to use a breaker bar, or use extreme force. Would a shot of WD-40 or other penetrating lube help?
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
A few other plugs gave me trouble also. They'd be hard to break free, then once they'd start moving, they creaked till they're halfway out.
So what should I do? Since these are aluminum heads I know not to use a breaker bar, or use extreme force. Would a shot of WD-40 or other penetrating lube help?
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,635
Likes: 2
From: Aloha, Oregon
Re: Plug won't budge, what to do? (BLOWNGS)
this works for sure on aluminum threads: fill a squirt bottle with some household isopropyl alcohol (IPA). squirt a few streams of it onto the threads then work the plug in and out repeatedly. slowly, you will work more movement into it, then it will break free. keep squirting periodically. works like a charm every time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,611
Likes: 0
From: Lake Martin ALABAMA
Re: Plug won't budge, what to do? (BLOWNGS)
Begin with the engine moderately WARM. (Not so hot that you can't
touch anything.....but nearly so.)
Then use "Neverseize" on the new threads for next time!
touch anything.....but nearly so.)
Then use "Neverseize" on the new threads for next time!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington DE
Re: Plug won't budge, what to do? (aces)
A warm engine will expand the alunimum head more than it will expand the steel plug. Warm not HOT. When the Alunimum expands the hole will get very slightly larger and hopefully that will be just enough to get the plug lose along with all the other suggestions here. Good Luck, :D
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 1
From: the West is the best
Re: Plug won't budge, what to do? (BLOWNGS)
the suggestions for lubrication are the tip but I use about a 20" extension (3/8") for that plug with a swivel socket. You don't want to bind yourself into a 90 degree angle w/ a swivel socket. Then crank!
[Modified by 2ndVette, 9:36 PM 1/23/2002]
[Modified by 2ndVette, 9:36 PM 1/23/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 0
Re: Plug won't budge, what to do? (Jim 47)
wouldn't the hole get smaller?
A warm engine will expand the alunimum head more than it will expand the steel plug. Warm not HOT. When the Alunimum expands the hole will get very slightly larger and hopefully that will be just enough to get the plug lose along with all the other suggestions here. Good Luck, :D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 1
From: Newland US
Re: Plug won't budge, what to do? (BLOWNGS)
BLOWNGS,
Might be a good idea to buy a thread chaser and run through the threads on that hole before reinstalling the new plug. The chaser will clean the carbon out of the threads and repair any minor damage that may have been incurred by the treads during removal of the old plug.
Good luck.
Mark
Might be a good idea to buy a thread chaser and run through the threads on that hole before reinstalling the new plug. The chaser will clean the carbon out of the threads and repair any minor damage that may have been incurred by the treads during removal of the old plug.
Good luck.
Mark
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Re: Plug won't budge, what to do? (MDT)
If you haven't already, take off the coil cover and remove the coils and coil bracket from the valve cover. I do this to both sides for every plug change and it makes getting all including the #7 plug out a breeze.
Remove the obstacles...
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,707
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From: Lynnfield MA
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Re: Plug won't budge, what to do? (BLOWNGS)
Spray the plug when the motor is warm, let sit till cold and spray well again and let sit overnight. Try to remove it again.....
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