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Stuck Spark Plug, any ideas?

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  • #1

    Stuck Spark Plug, any ideas?

    Hey all,

    I have a stuck spark plug in #2. All others came out just fine. I am putting a lot of pressure on it just to get it to turn. I am afraid of stripping it out. Any ideas for removal. I have it soaking right now with some WD-40. Is there something else that will loosen it up? The plugs I took out don't look that bad so I'm thinking about just leaving this one in it and saying screw it and just replacing the 5. Any ideas are appreciated! Thanks!
    Dean
    Tags: None
  • #2
    I would start over by using compressed air with a little tube or pipe to blow everything out from around the plug and then get the best penetrating oil on the market, (I'm sure it's not WD 40) and let it soak over night, then crank the engine up and let it run for about a minute to heat things up a little making sure there is a shallow puddle of penetrating oil around the plug and then let it cool down long enough to try backing the plug off a little. If you can get it to move just a little and rock it gently back and forth to help get more penetrating oil down around the threads you may be able to remove it without having to install a helicoil although you would certainly need to retap it.

    Since the other plugs looked fine, if this is your daily driver I would probably soak it a little with penetrating oil on a regular basis for a couple of weeks to see if the thermal cycling helps the process along rather than risk being stuck. Be careful not to apply so much that it bathes the plug wire which might cause an arc to ground.

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    • #3
      PB Blaster works good. Be careful removing them with the engine hot as you can ruin the aluminum threads if they are too hot and soft when you unscrew it.

      Anti-seize is your friend when you go to re-install them.

      I remember a few months ago some mechanics I know (big guy) was trying to take out plugs out of this dodge truck with a big 1/2" ratchet and he was tiring quickly. Finally they put an air ratchet on it to get them all out!!!
      sigpic New 2010 project (click image)
      1994 3100 BERETTA. 200,000+ miles
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      • #4
        Originally posted by IsaacHayes View Post
        PB Blaster works good. Be careful removing them with the engine hot as you can ruin the aluminum threads if they are too hot and soft when you unscrew it.

        Anti-seize is your friend when you go to re-install them.

        I remember a few months ago some mechanics I know (big guy) was trying to take out plugs out of this dodge truck with a big 1/2" ratchet and he was tiring quickly. Finally they put an air ratchet on it to get them all out!!!
        Right now, I'm replacing the timing belt and it is off. So heating it up right now is not an option. After I get the belt back on I might be able to start it up and see if the heat helps expand the head to lossen it up. I will let it soak on some PB Blaster and see what happens......thanks for the comments.

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        • #5
          OMG!
          Originally posted by Joseph Upson View Post
          then crank the engine up and let it run for about a minute to heat things up a little making sure there is a shallow puddle of penetrating oil around the plug and then let it cool down long enough to try backing the plug off a little.

          Dont do that! The heads are cast aluminum you are going to rip the threads out with the first turn. You should only remove the plugs with the engine dead cold. And never torq it down with more then 10 lbs of torque.

          96 Z34 3.4 SC DOHC Getrag, 284 5sd manual transmission, stage 3spec clutch, 97 engine, 97 pcm, S3 intercooler 1 of 1 Roots SC LQ1 in the world 8.5 psi.

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          • #6
            Can you tell if the plug is angled which may lean towards cross-threaded.
            Always attempt to remove cold, well either fix it now or wait and take a risk, or hand it down to the next owner if it lasts.

            In my opinion fix it now you may have to heli coil it you may not, you won't know until you get it out.

            I have had a few rough plug removals in the past but none came up stripped.
            I am back

            Mechanical/Service Technican

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Dave96z34 View Post
              OMG!



              Dont do that! The heads are cast aluminum you are going to rip the threads out with the first turn. You should only remove the plugs with the engine dead cold. And never torq it down with more then 10 lbs of torque.
              He said to let it cool down first. What he said is correct. Heat cycle the engine, let it cool down, then try to remove the plug. The uneven expansion of the steel spark plug threads and aluminum head will help break the bond and let the penetrating oil in. After it cools the plug should come right out as long as the head got hot enough (and its just siezed in; not crossthreaded)..
              Last edited by series8217; 01-29-2008, 05:14 PM.

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