Replacing Spark Plugs

[alien]

So, i've been trying to change spark plugs for the last 2 months to no avail. Finally got the right tool that fits in the ecotec head to remove them, only to find out that they are way too tight to remove. I called up the mechanic that replaced them a year ago and asked him to remove them, he's not able to until next week, i did have a go at him and his mechanics for torquing them too much, he said that because the heads are aluminium they have probably just gotten tighter by themselves.....

Now here's the thing, the heads in the ecotecs are cast iron! This is not the first problem i've had with this mechanic who's meant to be a Holden specialist... But i wont be naming them.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to remove them? Then i can finally put them in with a torque rating of 15-25nm (25nm is the maximum for torque reccomended for spark plugs).

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

They can be tight. Try harder...

[alien]

Thye're not meant to be as tight as they are. It's been only 12 months in the vehicle and they are not meant to be that tight. Short of buying a new breaker bar to get in there and remove them any ideas?

Compared to the oil drain plug these spark plugs are worse, and the oil drain plug is done to 60Nm. And also gets a bit tighter with age. Now there's no problem undoing those with less force than what i'm using to try and remove these spark plugs!

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

It's got a lot to do with leverage too. They are in an awkward spot so they seem tighter to undo than they actually are.

Umm...you are undoing them the right way? Anticlockwise?

[acarmody]

They must be done up real hard. My socket set get spark plugs out well enough, spark plug socket , with 5" extension and 1 foot breaker bar and no issues.

[GetToDaChopa]

Yes use some more leverage and you'll get them of with no probs. Or you're not eating your vegetables need more muscle!

[strgas]

Are the heads hot or cold when trying to remove the plugs ??? use a longer lever to increase torque at the plug // could trying spraying some wd40 at the plug base and let it soak in ??? apply copper grease to new plugs before replacing ...

[VYMAD]

I've had no trouble getting mine out, and when I fit new ones I do them up as tight as I reckon they should be- no torque wrench but fairly bloody tight! I do this every 20,000k's and find that, if anything, the leads are more of a pain to get off than the plugs are to get out.

[strgas]

22 years of changing spark plugs never once used a torque wrench just a 1/2 drive sidchrome ratchet

[lwboosted]

Should be easy... Uundoing Tyne theright way?

[alien]

Yea, eventually got them out. Had to get a ratchet (got a "Tune Up" kit) and was still fairly tight, but got them all out.