HELP! Spark Plug Saga!

[WydRyd]

Anyone here ever accidentally drop the socket + extension onto the spark plug hole?

Yup, the extension came off the Ratchet and I can't get the f...ing thing out! The extension is a tad too long to clear the engine bay wall and I can't get the extension off the socket so I can use a shorter extension

PLEASE? Any creative ideas/suggestions?

[Mark sP]

I think lots of people have had similar probs. I use the factory tool thats in the tool kit for this reason.

Sorry to hear you've had trouble. I hope someone can offer actual advice on how to remove extract the socket. I guess that you could remove the valve cover if all else fails?

[curiousone940]

Almost done this myself a time or two.....given the minimum space to work with under these conditions, the only recommendation I would have would be to remove the valve cover on the "offending hole" side and then fish out the tool with a magenet. Try using an extension with tape wrapped around the joints next time...sorry it happened.

[WydRyd]

The socket is still attached to the extension, so it's total length is stopping me from manouvering it out of the hole. It's hitting the side of the engine bay

I need to find a way of removing the socket from the extension whilst it's in the hole still ?!?

[vash]

haha. my first adventure into pcar land, was the same hell. so is the socket still attached to the sparkplug? if not, cant you push it back onto the plug and then pop the extension off? that way the socket stays put and doenst float around. if this isnt the case, cant you push/pull with your hand and thumb to pop the socket off. let the sucker float around in there and then pull it out with a magnet tool. i use one 3" LOCKING extension and the socket. and i have the factory tool. i find the sears tool easier.

[RickM]

Originally posted by vash
pull it out with a magnet tool. i use one 3" LOCKING extension and the socket.

This is what I would try.

[ssetek]

Originally posted by WydRyd
Yup, the extension came off the Ratchet and I can't get the f...ing thing out! The extension is a tad too long to clear the engine bay wall and I can't get the extension off the socket so I can use a shorter extension

PLEASE? Any creative ideas/suggestions?

well it seems that the socket and extension went in a one piece so it will come out the same way it went in, ive had it happen and it took me a little bit to figure out exactly the way if fell in but if it goes in one way it has to come out i got mine out with a magnet

good luck

[sagacis]

I had the opposite problem; I dropped the bendy socken into the area. Eventually got it out with a magnet and a wire.

After that, I tied a piece of twine to the socket to make sure I could remove it next time. Turns out, the twine was useful in guiding the socket onto the spark plugs, too.

The real tool or a flexible spark-plug socket with a spring around it (they sell them at auto parts stores) also helps.

--sagacis

[pwd72s]

Hazet 2505-2





Have fun removing the mess...you might also try what I call a "grabber"...retractable spring steel claws inside a cable, operated by a thumb plunger. With this description, any decent parts store counter guy will know what you're asking for...

[steven polaski]

I used one of those pencil size magnet/screw holders, works good.You know your doing it the right way if the skin on your wrist is all scraped up. I also greased my spark plug socket so the plug barely stays in so the socket comes off when plug is tight.

[WydRyd]

OK, managed to get the socket off the extension by pushing it off with a shorty stubby screwdriver! All is out now

However, I can't for the life of me get the damn plug out! I'm using the "Klein" tool with the supplied Allen key, but I keep turning and turnng and it seems to never end! I don't think the damn tool is gripping the plug properly

I then tried a socket and shorter extension. Same thing! Keep turning and turning and I can't get the damn thing out

What an absolutely ***** design

[911mot]

Make sure the rubber gripper insert from the original socket isn't stuck on the plug, preventing another socket fitting properly.

[WydRyd]

Nah, orignal socket I used has the original grip still

[911mot]

Does it tighten OK?
If so I bet the gripper isnt gripping the ceramic part of the plug tightly enough. Thus the plug falls out of the socket as you withdraw extension. Try stuffing a small bit of paper/tissue into the rubber gripper so it gets better purchase.

[steven polaski]

Take out the rubber to get a grip on the old plug. When it is loose put the rubber back in. Sears sells a magnetic socket works great.

[steven polaski]

I also use a 3" extention and a 1" extention for the plugs #1,2and 3 this allows me to use my fingers to unscrew the plug. I then pull off the 1" and then pull out the 3" and socket hopefully with plug.

[sushinav]

I was using a chopstick to set TDC on a 944 turbo once, and the chopstick broke off inside the cylinder! I got it out after 4 hours. Just thought I'd tell you to cheer you up a bit. You'll get it.

[pwd72s]

Okay, I'll express the fear here, since the others seem reluctant to. I hope the plug wasn't cross threaded, thus stripping the threads in the cylinder head. Always screw a plug in and out with fingers only...only use leverage for the initial removal or tightening pull. Tighten 1/2 turn on new plugs to crush the washer...if replacing the plug, only 1/4 turn after tight with low pressure. Aluminum heads...easy to strip the plug threads, which makes changing plugs a more delicate chore than with a cast iron head as found in most USA made cars.

[vash]

pwd, that thought gives me shivers.

WR. do you have a mirror? you will be amazed at the nice view you get when you peek in. on a friends car, i once touched one side of the plug with a sharpie marker, and then spun the sucker, i found that i wasnt even turning the plug. you only need a tiny black tick on anypart of the plug for reference. my money is on: hoping your socket is not even plugging onto the plug. 13/16th socket right? you got to push to pop the socket rubber over the ceramic section of the plug. like pwd, handjob only at the beginning. only finish up with the socket.

[howie944]

Just a thought and I've had this happen to me. Check that the rubber insert in your plug socket isn't too long preventing the lands of the socket from seating on the lands of the plug. If it is too long the socket won't actually seat on the plug and will just keep turning. I have pulled the rubber out of my plug socket and cut it in half then put it back in the socket. Its enough to grip the plug once out of the plug hole but also allows the socket to seat on the plug. The factory tool is the best though. I also have one of htose knurled wheel ratchets (bout the size of a silver dollar). Once the plug is broken loose these are great for confined spaces.