HELP! Cant get a spark plug back in!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 220
Likes: 19
From: Phoenix AZ
HELP! Cant get a spark plug back in!
Been fighting it for hours. It is the drivers side plug closest to the firewall (#7?) and is a real PITA. Got it out somehow after fighting it but no luck getting it back in strangely. Even had the wife take a shot at it with smaller hands. Can get it in a couple half turns but then nothing. I cant tell if it is cross threading but the others went in easy in tight spaces too so I dont think so. Assume I just can't get the angle. I have a pretty good stash of tools and tried different extensions, a swivel/angle attachment (?), from top and bottom (nothing doing from here), and just frustrated. Heck did the belt, radiator, fans, condenser cleaning, fuel filter, PCV, etc. and this plug has given me the worse time. Any tricks, special tools that help, or something I should remove as it is crowded. Just cant get the right angle and then room for any leverage.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 220
Likes: 19
From: Phoenix AZ
Not so familiar with all this stuff ... is this the 5 or so 10mm(?) bolts to get it off and looks like an electrical connector also and then it pops off? ... just wanting to make sure. Thanks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota City MN
One trick is to put a small section of rubber hose thats fits over the end of the plug. This acts as extension and if the plug is not going in right, the rubber will slip on the plug so you cant put to much pressure on the threads to strip them out. A handy trick taught to me over 20yrs ago.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 220
Likes: 19
From: Phoenix AZ
One trick is to put a small section of rubber hose thats fits over the end of the plug. This acts as extension and if the plug is not going in right, the rubber will slip on the plug so you cant put to much pressure on the threads to strip them out. A handy trick taught to me over 20yrs ago.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I would caution that maybe, during your attempts, you have maybe very slightly started to cross-thread already, so getting the angle right and only using moderate torque may be even more important now. Slow and easy wins the race on this one.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 220
Likes: 19
From: Phoenix AZ
Any further info on what hose this is to help identify it and how to remove? I will take a look ... was starting to think should remove some of the stuff was trying to work around but had not heard anyone needing to do do this in my initial searching. Thangs again everyone!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Any further info on what hose this is to help identify it and how to remove? I will take a look ... was starting to think should remove some of the stuff was trying to work around but had not heard anyone needing to do do this in my initial searching. Thangs again everyone!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
I made one from an old plug. Taper the first 2 or 3 threads with a grinder, then cut 4 slots thru the threads with a hacksaw. Works like a charm. 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
If you cant screw the plug in at least 3/4's of the way with your fingers, the threads are damaged. Find a thread cleaning tool (sears has them) and see if you can clean up the threads. If you force the plug in with a ratchet, you will destroy the threads. The next time you remove the plug, all you will have left is a hole with NO THREADS. Seen it a couple of times on aluminum heads.
BC
BC
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Feb 2, 2010 at 04:22 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 15
From: Jensen Beach FL
Also check the threads on the spark plug. Maybe take one of the easy ones to get to out and try and use that one. Just maybe you got a badly threaded plug. Like said above should go about 3/4 of the way in by hand don't try and turn it with a socket if you can't. Threads on the plug are harder than the threads in the engine.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Pay attention to what Bill Curlee said above.
You don't want to use a tap on the threads, it will remove metal.
You might need a tool that "chases" or cleans the threads of carbon/oil/dirt. It'll also help align the threads unless they're really damaged.
I used to have a '67 Mustang GT 390. There was about 3/4" of clearance for spark plugs. It was easiest to drill holes in the inner fender to allow access.
You don't want to use a tap on the threads, it will remove metal.
You might need a tool that "chases" or cleans the threads of carbon/oil/dirt. It'll also help align the threads unless they're really damaged.
I used to have a '67 Mustang GT 390. There was about 3/4" of clearance for spark plugs. It was easiest to drill holes in the inner fender to allow access.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Feb 2, 2010 at 11:47 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
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Take that thing in and out a few times, and if there's any crud on the threads, it'll end up in those grooves you just cut. And I agree with the others here. You do NOT want to cross thread a sparkplug. I normally stick them into a sparkplug socket, and then thread them all the way down by hand (as in, I don't put a wrench on the socket yet). If I can't get them seated by hand, then I back off and try again. I probably don't even put a 1/8th turn on the wrench after I've got them spun down this way.
Don't be lazy. Pull off everything in your way. Yank the booster hose, coil packs, EGR pipeing, and maybe even the valve cover! Trust me, pulling the engine to fix a plug hole that you bunged up will take much MUCH longer.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 220
Likes: 19
From: Phoenix AZ
Thanks everyone. Will remove some stuff and take another shot at it by hand and/or with some sort of rubber hose attached this weekend. It did seem the original plug came out a bit harder than the others even after loosened but that could have just been perception as it was 100% by socket at weird angles and many extensions etc. Just gonna hope for the best as I really had no "feel" since was working in such a tight spot but I did not try to force it once meeting resistance after a couple half turns so hopefully there is no real damage and just need to get a better angle on it or clean the threads a litte.
What size thread chaser/cleaner do I need to get (or perhaps I will just try the homeade version from an old plug)?
What size thread chaser/cleaner do I need to get (or perhaps I will just try the homeade version from an old plug)?