Help! - Removing Spark Plug

bman · Post by **bman** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 12:24 am

I was doing a routine tune-up on my car this weekend and I decided to swap out the Bosh Plat+4's for some regular Denso's. I had a mechanic do my last tune up since it was in the winter and I don't have a garage. Anyway, I had no problems with 3 of the plugs but I can't seems to get the last one out. It's the one closest to the firewall on the driver's side. When I put the socket into the hole it doesn't seem to grab anything. It feels like it's metal-on-metal. This is the same socket I used to remove the other 3 plugs. I even tried another socket set and still no luck. Just for my own sanity I used my hand to double check that there actually was a plug in that hole!
Do I need a special tool for that plug? I'm using a 5/8in socket. Which is what I used to remove all the Bosch's and install the Denso's.
Argh!

Thanks,
Brian

PS: I'm hoping that 3 new plugs and 1 old plug doesn't ruin anything.

Post by **Legacy777** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 1:00 am

nope, they should all be the same size, unless the mechanic put in the wrong plug........

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 6:13 am

Yeah, that one can be a pest especially as it looks so damn easy. Make sure you get it aimed at the right angle and rotation and you should get it.

Steve

206er · Post by **206er** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 6:51 am

are you using a spark plug socket? they are deeper and have a little rubber sleeve on the inside to hold the sparkplug. not necessary but it can help make things easier.

kastrix · Post by **kastrix** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 8:56 am

Try unscrewing the washer fluid tank. Makes it a million times easier and only takes a couple seconds. That was the last one I pulled so my patience was growing slim. It took alot of cussing at it(which helped i think) but it finaly came out.

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 8:59 am

can I suggest you return the denso's for NGK's?

entirelyturbo · Post by **entirelyturbo** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 6:40 pm

I wouldn't even bother changing the plugs without removing the battery and washer tank.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 10:09 pm

I never remove anything - I just use the right sized extension and thread it between whatever lines I need to and fit the socket with extension by hand. When I've found it I put the ratchet on and go. I just have the simple Craftsman 4-extension set for 3/8 drives.

Steve

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 2:16 am

i usually leave the battery, but the washer tank has gotta go

petridish38 · Post by **petridish38** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:20 am

THAWA wrote:i usually leave the battery, but the washer tank has gotta go

Yeah, taking the battery out is like taking the engine out for a head gasket job.... you could, but eh.......

Take the washer tank out and try to look down in the hole with a flashlight... See if anything is rounded off or if anything looks out of the ordinary...

Andrew

oursTOdestroy · Post by **oursTOdestroy** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 7:34 am

yeah
that is the same one that gave me trouble (with the washer fluid out)

but i find the passenger side to be a bigger pain in the ass with the airbox there.
in fact, last week when i changed plugs and took it off, i broke some line that goes from the box in b/w the filter and the engine (the middle section) and it leads to a little thing off to the side, i dont know what it is, but it is not hooked up anymore.

actually, since i brought it up, does anyone know what the line is?

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 2:45 pm

oursTOdestroy, are you talking about a turbo model? If you are, the diagram on this page will help you figure out which line you broke:

http://www.graphics.cornell.edu/~v/vacuum/

The lines on that resonator box break easily, especially the one to the boost control solenoid.

bman · Post by **bman** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 2:58 pm

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. To answer some of the questions: I was using deep sockets to remove all of the plugs. I have a "spark plug socket" (the one with the little rubber sleeve in it) as well as a regular deep socket. Like evo-mov does I jimmy socket w/ extension down there and I loosen up the plug then I finish it off with the spark plug socket since it holds onto the plug as I pull it all out. I was wiggling the socket in that hole for a while. The plug hole itself doesn't have a lot of room for movement so I don't think I'm at so much of an angle that I the edges would be off. I don't know how I could have missed it.
I went out this weekend and brought another spark plug socket and still no luck. I guess I'm going to have to remove the washer tank and take a look-see. I'm probably going to have to buy a small mirror or something because I don't think I can get a good angle.

Thanks again guys,
Brian

PS: I would've picked up some NGK's but I have no idea where they would sell them around here (Boston). The NGK website isn't very helpful (ngksparkplugs.com) and the closest stores are AutoZones.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 6:18 pm

Yeah, AutoZones suck. They were much better when they were ADAP. The Danvers one had to order them for me.

Could the plastic retainer be hanging up on the plug end, preventing the socket from getting deep enough? That's happened to me as sometimes the thing shifts a little.

Steve

ultrasonic · Post by **ultrasonic** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 6:25 pm

I've found (in my admittedly limited experience) that the best tool to use in removing/installing spark plugs is the tool that comes with car. It's in the gray plastic tool kit pouch in your trunk. One end is a spark plug tool, the other end fits in a 19mm (I think) socket. It's the perfect length.

Airbox comes out, wiper fluid reservoir comes out. After that, it's pretty easy.

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 12:39 am

You can also use a needle nose to get it out.

94L_wagon · Post by **94L_wagon** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 6:35 am

Another vote for pulling out the washer bottle.

Hope it turns out well.

bman · Post by **bman** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 2:21 pm

It's done! I rolled up my sleeves this weekend and tried *everything* that people suggested. I removed the washer fluid tank and even used the plug remover from the factory "toolkit" (the grey pouch). The plug came out no problem! I even tried using my original sockets and they all fit?!?! Wierd. I don't know what the problem was before but it all worked out. Thanks all.
...now if I could only had a local NGK dealer

-Brian

ultrasonic · Post by **ultrasonic** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 4:42 pm

I found NGK at the national auto parts chain Car Quest, you may have one near you.

free5ty1e · Post by **free5ty1e** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 6:33 pm

I know the problem's been resolved... just have to throw in my $0.02:

removing the washer tank helps on that plug... but if you've got a wobble extension for your ratchet you can get all the plugs without removing a damn thing

kastrix · Post by **kastrix** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 9:14 am

If you want a set of NGK's in the future, i can pick up a set and send them to u.

Impregacy · Post by **Impregacy** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 1:31 am

ultrasonic wrote:I've found (in my admittedly limited experience) that the best tool to use in removing/installing spark plugs is the tool that comes with car. It's in the gray plastic tool kit pouch in your trunk. One end is a spark plug tool, the other end fits in a 19mm (I think) socket. It's the perfect length.

Airbox comes out, wiper fluid reservoir comes out. After that, it's pretty easy.

i know this post is old, but this might be helpful to everybody. I use a tool that comes with the car too and it's even closer and more handy than the one in the trunk. The spark plug wires themselves are perfect for grabbing the loose spark plugs out. lol

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Help! - Removing Spark Plug

Help! - Removing Spark Plug