Spark Plug #1

[alan911]

The first one. It's adjustable.

[twin plugged targa]

I have always found spark plugs a pain to extract/install.
Would it not be easier and safer to remove the valve cover than to risk cross threading a cylinder head?

Apart from E-Bay, is there anywhere else to get this tool? Porsche dealer?
Anyone have a part number?

Thanks Ben

[djmcmath]

I had a similar problem on (I hate to admit this) a Honda Civic. (There, I said it, I own a Honda, too. Please don't ban me!) In too much of a hurry trying to get a spark plug out, and got the whole mess stuck in the hole in the valve cover. Solution? One really long pair of needlenose pliers, reach in and grab the whole mess, pull it all out. Too easy.

Dan

[William Miller]

My 83SC came with a spark plug tool with the spring and a knurled (SP?) end that you can grab and turn with your fingers. The end has a 12 point allen socket. The tool kit has the 6mm (I think) allen wrench that fits this. I use a matching allen head socket in a standard 3/8 ratchet, breaker bar and/or torque wrench. The only flaw I have found with this perfect tool is thatthe knuckles on the flexible joint are a little sloppy. (You sometimes have to hold the socket steady to get the ratchet to click.)

Another solution that I have not seen here is to use a standard deep socket to get the spark plug loose and push a piece of hose about 1/4" id. (The same as an air hose.) over the end of the spark plug to get the last few turns out and or get the plug started in the hole.

If you drop the plug in the cavity a magnet on a stick should pull it out with or without the socket still attached. Most of the rubber inserts come out of the socket if you want to use it for final tightening.
Good luck!

[alan911]

This is what I've been using for about 20yrs. I think it came out of my old 914 or 924 toolkit. It's foolproof. Made in Germany by Hezet pn# 2505-1. It's adjustable, knarled top, holes for hand tool and has a rubber insert to grab the plug. Never lost a plug yet.

[CHILI]

Originally posted by Doug E
One other trick someone once taught me was to wrap tape (racers, duct, etc..) around any connection points on the sockets/extensions just so there is no chance anything gets left down there.

That's what I've always done. Although, I just thought of it the hard way, never heard anybody else doing it. It started on my Accord years ago and have done it with the P-car a couple of times. Never a problem. The only problem I've ever had was an old spark plug socket wanted to leave the rubber ring on the plug when I pulled the socket out. I just used crazy glue on it and used a plug to insert it back into the socket. Good as new. Don't think I'd ever spend $70 on this tool. And that's coming from a tool junky!

[vash]

looking at that tool, doesnt craftman sell a sparkplug wrench with a "t" handle like that? i dont think the length is adjustable though.

cliff

[no substitute]

http://www.samstagsales.com/hazet.htm#Spark

[alan911]

$40 !!!! Holy Crap ! Didn't know my little niffty S-P wrench was that expensive. I guess I'll take better care of it.

But I guess the time it would take to retrieve one lost plug makes it worth it, considering the grief it can cause. Oh well.....at least we don't have to drop the engine to change plugs.

[RandyF]

In a similar situation I had recently, the "magnet on a stick" tool worked for me. It's just a magnet on the end of a thin extensible rod. Sear's has em.