Spark Plugs Stuck
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Belcamp MD
Spark Plugs Stuck
Well car has hit 160,000 and what better way to celebrate then to change the plugs and wires. 
So I thought.
First attempt at this with the C5 and I could only get 1 plug to budge. Any tricks I should know about. Neighbor said to let the engine heat up a little bit which will be my next step.
Thanks for the help,
So I thought.First attempt at this with the C5 and I could only get 1 plug to budge. Any tricks I should know about. Neighbor said to let the engine heat up a little bit which will be my next step.
Thanks for the help,
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Have you EVER changed plugs on this? Usually with aluminum heads you want to remove them COLD or you'll gall the threads. If the plugs didn't have anti-sieze on them you may never get them out without causing problems.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 753
Likes: 2
From: Denville NJ
Right, you want to do this cold. Get the wires out of the way first. You might as well scrap them, yank them out like an angry dentist and do yourself a favor. Then soak the area around each plug with a good penetrating oil, perhaps several times for a day or two. Then work them easy, a bit at a time. Good Luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 5
From: Rockwall TX
I just did my plugs and wires. If you don't have the wires off yet, I found it best to just yank them off the plug, take the part with the metal cap on the plug, give it a good twist to break it loose, and it will pop right off. As far as plugs, didn't have any problems so I can't give you any advice. Make sure you have the right plug socket, I found that mine ( a normal one) was too short to get all the way over the plug so i had to improvise with the socket and driver.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Belcamp MD
Thanks guys, Ill soak them with some PB Blaster tomorrow. Is that ok to use on them? Wires came right off with ease. Was only able to get the pass. side front plug out.
This is my first time, not sure what the previous owners did. The plug I managed to pull was a AC Delco irridum, with about .70 gap so not sure how old it was. Hope it wasnt factory
This is my first time, not sure what the previous owners did. The plug I managed to pull was a AC Delco irridum, with about .70 gap so not sure how old it was. Hope it wasnt factory
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Sounds like a factory plug. Not sure the PB Blaster will help. I did them on a car once that were original high mileage plugs and just had to go slow. They squeeked all the way out. Do them stone cold in aluminum heads.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 48
From: Nathalie VA
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18
If your using a "Spark Pluh Socket" use a 19mm open end wrench to turn it. That's a lot easier than fishing universals and extensions in and out of the AIR piping.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,798
Likes: 8
From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
Mine squeaked and groaned all the way out. It's a bad feeling. All you can think of is $$$. I'd soak them in PB for a day or two, although I don't think it would make it past the tapered sealing edge of the plug.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 4
From: Freeport, FL
Try to tighten them slightly and then attempt to remove them. This is a useful method that has worked for many stuck fasteners. Also, work on a cold engine. Good luck. Oh, if you can manage to tap any of the plugs at their base it could help to loosen them, but you'd have to be able to tap them solidly and firmly.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 266
Likes: 1
From: Mobile Al
Try to tighten them slightly and then attempt to remove them. This is a useful method that has worked for many stuck fasteners. Also, work on a cold engine. Good luck. Oh, if you can manage to tap any of the plugs at their base it could help to loosen them, but you'd have to be able to tap them solidly and firmly.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,744
Likes: 9
From: FL
Cruise-In VI Veteran
They are gonna be tough to get out if they are original. older LT1 cars have the same problem if they have never been changed. Dissimilar metals (steel plug, alum head), corrosion in the threads. Had to use a breaker bar before to get them started. They will come out, just be careful you dont strip the head off the plug.
