Stupidest spark plug related problem ever

[BaXTeR3221]

Well my car was having a misfiring/surging under load problem, so i decided to change the plugs. Got the drivers side and front two on the passenger side done no problem.

I get the third one back on the pass. side loose but now i can't get the socket with the plug out of the hole. I get the socket to the top of the hole, but it won't come out and the extension comes out of the socket if i start really pulling. I think its an angle issue along with possibly the lip on the intake manifold.

Anyone else ever have this problem or have any ideas for a solution?

 

[DCjuggalo]

take some wire and tie it into the socket

 

[d98gt]

I usually have the most problems with the passenger side plug that is closest to the firewall. It's a major pain since they put a bracket right in the way for most things to fit in there correctly. I usually end up with cuts since it's such a tight fit and the damn socket likes to fall right back in the hole

 

[BaXTeR3221]

Any tricks to get it out? I can get the top out, but then it gets stuck and always just falls back in.

 

[n0v8or]

Try wrapping a small piece of rag around the end of the extension to increase the friction in the socket drive. That often has been enough for me.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Use a piece of rubber tubing. Slide it down over the top of the plug and then ease the plug out.

 

[FoxRod87]

Are you using a sparkplug socket with a rubber piece that goes inside the socket and holds the spark plug? If not I know sears sells them.

 

[DaNd4Speed]

Try wrapping a small piece of rag around the end of the extension to increase the friction in the socket drive. That often has been enough for me.

We have a winner! Works for me every time.

 

[RandyStinchcomb]

one thing of note: Snap-On (and others) make an extra long sparkplug socket so you don't have issues like this. my advice is to invest in the right tool(s). I have the Snap-on one and paid @$48.00 for it but I also bought a cheaper one (cal-tools) and only paid @$13.00 for it. the right tool makes all the difference in the world

 

[mrvax]

Use a piece of rubber tubing. Slide it down over the top of the plug and then ease the plug out.

This is correct. Use fuel line gauge and it will press right onto the spark plug end. Usually a piece about a foot long is good.

Use the fuel line to install the plugs also. Get the threads started then go to the rachet/extension/socket.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Agreed Mr Vax The beauty of using the tubing to install and start the threads is that the tube will slip if the threads are crossed thus preventing cross threading.

I would also use the cool socket Randy described, that is the first I have seen one...

 

[BaXTeR3221]

Well i finally got the thing out yesterday. As is the case most of the time, after i walk away and come back to something, i figure it out quickly. I used the rag trick and made sure i was pulling at the right angle and out came the whole thing.

As an extra bonus, the spark plugs have fixed my original problem of surging under load so everything is back the way it should be. Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[Kilgore Trout]

What plugs did you go with?

 

[VicRattlehead]

i taped the spark plug socket to an old extention so no problems with it comming out the socket and the rubber insert keeps the plug in the socket.

 

[MBDiagMan]

Go to your local NAPA store and get a locking extension. They sell them in several lengths and there is a slide button on the end that locks the extension to the socket.

Make SURE that you torque your new plugs to 13 ft. lbs. using a torque wrench. Too loose and you can blow a plug. Too tight and you can cause thread problems. Believe me, you don't want either of these problems.

 

[rmv2000gt]

Another way to do it is to use a magnet that is on a telescoping shaft. After you unscrew the plug pull the socket out and insert the magnet. Works every time.

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

i use a extention magnet, looks like a radio entenna with a really strong magnet at the end with a screw driver handle, to grab onto the plugs after i loosen them.

 

[BaXTeR3221]

I went with the stock style autolite plugs. I do actually have a magnet like the one described, but i didn't need it this time. Everything is torqued the way it should be and i put anti-seize on the plugs. Should be good to go