Help a newbie- spark plug trouble

[racer_X]

I am having trouble getting the spark plug socket onto number 1 and number 6, everything else came out easy.

Is there a flange or an obstruction in the spark plug well to keep the socket from fully seating on the plug? It doesn't seem to go in as far as the others.

I removed the AC (it wasn't working and I am going to delete it for now) and the heater hoses for better access to the plugs and upper valves.



I am using a 13/16 inch socket and and wondering if I need to grind the outside of the socket to make the wall thinner to get in deeper.

[John W.]

If your tool kit has the factory spark plug wrench, use it. It makes the job much easier.

[docrodg]

No, there is no difference in clearance, in fact the heads are interchangeable from cylinder to cylinder (each cylinder has a separate head). Likely is that there is some gunk in there that is preventing you from getting on it.

[80-911SC]

+1 on the factory if all else fails,

but you may want to get an inspection mirror, remove your sheet metal on that side and make sure something didn't fall in there. a standard plug socket with a 3 in extension should fit with out mods, #6 hole is the same dia and obstruction free as the other five, its all about angle and patience ...........

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by racer_X

I am having trouble getting the spark plug socket onto number 1 and number 6, everything else came out easy.

Is there a flange or an obstruction in the spark plug well to keep the socket from fully seating on the plug? It doesn't seem to go in as far as the others.

I removed the AC (it wasn't working and I am going to delete it for now) and the heater hoses for better access to the plugs and upper valves.



I am using a 13/16 inch socket and and wondering if I need to grind the outside of the socket to make the wall thinner to get in deeper.

Racer X,

I had similar problem last year removing one (1) of the spark plugs from a 3.0 liter engine. The spark plug socket that I've been using for many years won't get in the spark hole. I had an extra spark plug socket so I decided to grind it to reduce the wall thickness and was hoping it would solve the problem. And still had no luck getting the thinner socket inplace.

So I inspected the spark plug hole and found a large washer sitting between the cooling fins and partially resting by the spark plug stem. With the help of a screw driver, I was able to get the impediment (washer) from blocking the socket.

Use a small round mirror and hopefully you'll find the culprit. Good luck.

Tony

[racer_X]

Originally Posted by John W.

If your tool kit has the factory spark plug wrench, use it. It makes the job much easier.

Thanks John- and everyone else. I couldn't see anything down the well, so I tried the factory tool and it worked perfectly. I must have a crappy socket.

[John W.]

Glad to hear you got it. I was having trouble with a socket and universal so I tried the factory tool and it worked like a champ. Every once in awhile those engineers know what they are doing.

[T77911S]

i use a short extension on a swivel with no problems, other than sometimes it comes apart when i pull the socket off when putting the plugs back in. if i dont push the plug in the socket very far that helps.

[kidrock]

sorry to be a thread thief, but where can one get his hands on one of those spark plug tools????

[racer_X]

Originally Posted by kidrock

sorry to be a thread thief, but where can one get his hands on one of those spark plug tools????

Mine came with the kit supplied with the car. I don't have a picture, but I found a 356 tool that looks very similar.

The difference is that the tool I used doesn't have a ratcheting wrench, but just a Allen to break it loose. From there you just turn the end.

I did a quick search and didn't come up with anything

I can send you a pic tonight if you are interested in exactly what i used.

[haycait911]

I made this tool with some bits from the pawn shop. socket has the rubber insert to hold the plug.

[kidrock]

Thanks racer_X and haycait for the cool info. I've been using a 3" extension and swivel head with a rubber insert socket, and it does the job OK. A couple of cylinders tend to be a small PITA, but I muddle through.

Just hoping that there might be a stash of those stock beauties laying around...guess they must be made of unobtanium.