have a new set of wires on hand 
plug removal
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 378
Likes: 11
From: DeBary Fl.
plug removal
2005 C6 with original plugs at 130,000 miles!! Previous owner never touched them but I feel the need to replace.
Fear of ???? any suggestions to prevent problems when pulling plugs that old ??
Pre soak at head w/ penetrating solution i.e. liquid wrench, PB blaster or ???
Any suggestions or experiences with cautious advice is appreciated.
Thanks in advance:shrug:
Fear of ???? any suggestions to prevent problems when pulling plugs that old ??
Pre soak at head w/ penetrating solution i.e. liquid wrench, PB blaster or ???
Any suggestions or experiences with cautious advice is appreciated.
Thanks in advance:shrug:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,490
Likes: 716
From: Sausalito CA
Here are some tricks.
If really concerned:
1) Spray w/ penetrating oil over a few days (or at last some hours)
2) Loosen each plug 1/4 turn
3) Reattached wires and start engine for one minute - this breaks loose any carbon built up on the spark plug threads to heads in the combustion chamber.
4) Remove plugs
Take care removing the wires...use die-electric grease on the wires ends upon re-assembly.
Don't forget to check the plug gap and use a torque wrench for re-assembly.
A spark plug wire puller tool and dedicated spark plug socket are worth buying if you do not have these.
IMO C6 Vette plugs are fairly easy to access.
If really concerned:
1) Spray w/ penetrating oil over a few days (or at last some hours)
2) Loosen each plug 1/4 turn
3) Reattached wires and start engine for one minute - this breaks loose any carbon built up on the spark plug threads to heads in the combustion chamber.
4) Remove plugs
Take care removing the wires...use die-electric grease on the wires ends upon re-assembly.
Don't forget to check the plug gap and use a torque wrench for re-assembly.
A spark plug wire puller tool and dedicated spark plug socket are worth buying if you do not have these.
IMO C6 Vette plugs are fairly easy to access.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 25,105
Likes: 3,156
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Don't forget to put some antisieze on the new plug before installing them.
Just changed my plugs and wires a few months ago. I had 82,000 miles at that time. No problems changing them but the old plugs were pretty worn out.
Just changed my plugs and wires a few months ago. I had 82,000 miles at that time. No problems changing them but the old plugs were pretty worn out.
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,231
Likes: 451
From: Maryland
I would try breaking the plug wires loose "first" by twisting the plug wire boots before pulling on them and when pulling grab down by the base/front of the boot. Same goes on the coil side.
Use the stock plugs for no performance issues. The factory plug is very good IMHO.
Use the stock plugs for no performance issues. The factory plug is very good IMHO.
Last edited by C7/Z06 Man; Feb 2, 2013 at 11:58 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth TX
One thing I'm always extra cautious of is making sure you thread the new plugs in properly.
Not on the vette - but i bought an 05 S10 (used) and did all the easy maint. stuff. It had 60K on it so I did the plugs. Getting to them was a B*TCH, and threaded one cylinder wrong. it was a beater so I didn't care THAT much but still kinda sucked because I like doing things right. In the end I just super torqued it down to where it would probably never be removable again (lol)
Long story short it ran fine for another 50K miles till I hydroplaned and bounced the face off a concrete wall doing 50. So in the end it was all good (plug wise at least)
Did remove a few plugs on my LS7 to check for oil on the threads (somewhat related to the valve guide issue thats ongoing) and yeah it's harder to get the boots off than taking the plug itself off.
Be sure to put down and 100% secure the boot/wire when you are done though -- I had one pop off and caused me a rough idle and weird 6th gear judder when it was only running on 7 cylinders for a bit.
Not on the vette - but i bought an 05 S10 (used) and did all the easy maint. stuff. It had 60K on it so I did the plugs. Getting to them was a B*TCH, and threaded one cylinder wrong. it was a beater so I didn't care THAT much but still kinda sucked because I like doing things right. In the end I just super torqued it down to where it would probably never be removable again (lol)
Long story short it ran fine for another 50K miles till I hydroplaned and bounced the face off a concrete wall doing 50. So in the end it was all good (plug wise at least)
Did remove a few plugs on my LS7 to check for oil on the threads (somewhat related to the valve guide issue thats ongoing) and yeah it's harder to get the boots off than taking the plug itself off.
Be sure to put down and 100% secure the boot/wire when you are done though -- I had one pop off and caused me a rough idle and weird 6th gear judder when it was only running on 7 cylinders for a bit.