jammed in spark plugs....

[fitz_vt]

my spark plug on one of my cylinders is not budging.... i don't wanna force it too much because it could break or i might have to get a helicoil..... and i dont wanna do that.
does anyone have any solutions apart from taking it to a mechanic to have them changed?!?

[Ozzie]

what u usin to take it out?

a proper sparkplug socket should easily remove it.

[fitz_vt]

a T bar but its not solid its flexible and i tried using a socket wrench with a 5/8 spark plug socket on it.

[Ozzie]

youll need a 16mm sparkplug socket, an extention and a rachet and it will undo with ease

[fitz_vt]

thats what i am using.... its 5/8(16 MM with a 2" extension and it wont budge

[Ozzie]

are you sure your turning it the right direction (anti clockwise)?

the plugs shouldnt have been done up tight in the first place,
try a breaker bar over the rachet and force it if its that tight, but beware the damage to the thread may already be done.

[fitz_vt]

i think the tosser of a mechanic that changed them last time (not a holden bloke or myself) tightened them too tight... thanks for your help i will try what you have suggested and write back.....

PS ..... turning the right way for the 6th spark plug is to the rear of the engine bay correct??

[Ozzie]

you should be turning left for all plugs (anti clockwise)

[fitz_vt]

thanks ozzie

[Ozzie]

your welcome mate let me know how you go

[fitz_vt]

will do i might let her cool down overnight and do it in the morning.

[fitz_vt]

nope sparky's wouldnt budge even when cold...

[pablo]

You could try running some penetrating oil (WD40, etc)around the plug base, leave overnight or when you use the car, the heat will let it work in a little more. Slide a piece of pipe over the tommy bar to give more leaverage. Make sure you don't tilt the socket when applying force, otherwise you chance breaking the insulator, then if you are unsuccessful, it makes difficult driving with 7 working cylinders to get profesional help.
Pablo

[fitz_vt]

You could try running some penetrating oil (WD40, etc)around the plug base, leave overnight or when you use the car, the heat will let it work in a little more. Slide a piece of pipe over the tommy bar to give more leaverage. Make sure you don't tilt the socket when applying force, otherwise you chance breaking the insulator, then if you are unsuccessful, it makes difficult driving with 7 working cylinders to get profesional help.
Pablo

its only a 6 pablo i would like it to work with 7 cylinders LOL

[NVE_069]

Yeh Iv had the same problem but use a bar on the end of the ranch an it works altho i broke the end off a plug once. **** myself at 1st then undid it like normal.

[pablo]

Yeah fitz_vt, 5 not 7 ! I was never any good at addin' an' subtraction!LOL
You could try a 'rattle gun' to shock it loose?
As I have said before, plugs should ALWAYS have the threads lubricated with anti-sieze grease before they are screwed in. Then tightened to 15-25 nm, if you don,t have a torque wrench, screw them in until the gasket just touches the head, then turn them a further 30deg. NO MORE! ..they DON'T have to be very tight, only enough for the gasket to seal.
All the problems I have had with plugs have apparently been caused be the "mechanic" overtightening them with dry threads. If the head is aluminium, the problem escalates to the bloody thread easily tearing.

Pablo

[fitz_vt]

Yeah fitz_vt, 5 not 7 ! I was never any good at addin' an' subtraction!LOL
You could try a 'rattle gun' to shock it loose?
As I have said before, plugs should ALWAYS have the threads lubricated with anti-sieze grease before they are screwed in. Then tightened to 15-25 nm, if you don,t have a torque wrench, screw them in until the gasket just touches the head, then turn them a further 30deg. NO MORE! ..they DON'T have to be very tight, only enough for the gasket to seal.
All the problems I have had with plugs have apparently been caused be the "mechanic" overtightening them with dry threads. If the head is aluminium, the problem escalates to the bloody thread easily tearing.

Pablo

lol i know i was just givin u a hard time lol.... i knew what ya ment, )yeah the tosser mechanic has done them up too tight, i will try some wd40 overnight and yeah hopefully it will work...... but yeah my head is stock (probably aluminium) so i shall take it to a mechanic who will probably fix it.

[greenacc]

you must have the limitted edition Aluminium heads ay !! Ecotec heads are cast iron mate. I reckon a mechanic will just get a breaker bar on it and it will come out no probs.
Pablo, whats the best anti sieze grease to use on plugs ? I've seen some people use copper grease , is that good ?

[fitz_vt]

you must have the limitted edition Aluminium heads ay !! Ecotec heads are cast iron mate. I reckon a mechanic will just get a breaker bar on it and it will come out no probs.
Pablo, whats the best anti sieze grease to use on plugs ? I've seen some people use copper grease , is that good ?

thanks i was wondering how i can tell if i have an aluminium head??

[fitz_vt]

Hello everyone, i just broke a socket wrench (****ty $2 one) trying to get it out..... but i brought a better one hopefully it will work

[vxcalais_01]

you must have the limitted edition Aluminium heads ay !! Ecotec heads are cast iron mate. I reckon a mechanic will just get a breaker bar on it and it will come out no probs.
Pablo, whats the best anti sieze grease to use on plugs ? I've seen some people use copper grease , is that good ?

Hit it with some Innox....arent cast iron heads best ot change when warm, and alluminium when cold ?

[fitz_vt]

i wouldnt have a clue..... but i shall try

[Ozzie]

id be trying a breaker bar with the socket and extention for sure, that way you can get some leverage into it

[fitz_vt]

yeah i brought a new tool to do it with..... loveing the breaker bars it got some of the toyota corolla's spark plugs out that hadnt been changed for 60,000k's

[pablo]

greenac, I have a tube of 'kopr-cote', I have had for years, made by AMPOL. It is good for over 800 deg,C. Way over the engine temp. Used it on manifold studs, nuts and exhaust joins and clamps, as well as spark plugs in iron and aluminium heads, bikes and cars. Never had any problem using it.

Pablo