Spark plug help! - One is stuck...... Need Ideas ASAP

[40BelowSummer]

So I have a dyno appointment in 2 hours, I thought Id throw some fresh plugs in the supercharged SHO before I went to the dyno.

Changed the front plugs with no problems as usual. The rear plugs are being a PITA. All three of them seemed tougher to loosen and remove. Got two of the three rear plugs out....

The middle plug took a bit of strength to turn a few times and its now at the point where it wont budge. I could probably turn it some more but Im very scared of stripping any threads or breaking something. I can probably get it to turn more but it feels like something might break, so I though Id post here first....

As for the other two rear plugs; the spark plug wire boot does nor completely seal on the new plugs and they are in there alot tighter than the front ones which fit great. I even removed the spacer thing that comes with the plugs. Any ideas?

Basically, should I soak the spark plug well with WD40 (or maybe PB Blaster??) and try my best to remove the plug??

Id really like to make it to the dyno and this is the only thing holding me back....

Ill wait for some input ....then maybe try to go for it.

Thanks!! :wave:

Rhett

 

[1slickRED89]

are you trying to do this with the intake on or off? if the intake is on, take it off. if it's off already, it may have a cross threaded plug from when they were installed, no pb blaster could help that. if you do alot of plug swapping put antisez on.

also a good tool to install spark plugs (to prevent cross-threading) is a old fashioned strait spark plug boot stuck on the end of a dowel rod. it's what the Pros' use

I even removed the spacer thing that comes with the plugs. Any ideas?

that's the pressure gasket, without it you may overheat the plug. it crushes and makes a heat path from the spark plug to the motor seat. you may what to leave it on.

 

[40BelowSummer]

The intake and most of the blower tubing is off. 5 out of the 6 plugs are changed. Not sure if its cross-threaded, the plug next to it was hard to get out but nowhere near this one.

The front three plugs were a breeze.

Is it bad for a little PB Blaster to get into the cylinder? I may try letting it soak for about 10 minutes then slowly loosen - tighten - loosen the plug and see if it frees up

 

[40BelowSummer]

Got a bunch of PB blaster in there and it wont budge!! I dont know what to do...

Might just leave it in, but Ill have to do something about it soon. 1 hour til dyno time...

 

[ohfosho]

let it soak for a lil while in the pb blaster. then use a paper towel to try to get all of the pb blaster back out. then try to tighten the plug just 1/8 of a turn, just to move it in its threads. then if you cant loosen it out from there, you may have more troubles than not being ready for your dyno time.

 

[1slickRED89]

what brand plugs are you putting in / taking out? pn# too

 

[40BelowSummer]

2 months later; i had the intake off today and while I did I took a look at the stuck plug. It still wont budge, neither clockwise nor counter-clockwise. I have tried soacking some PB blaster in there and trying to remove it when the engine was somewhat warm.

I am going to need to change this plug soon, what should I try next? I would HATE to break a spark plug in the head. Take it to a shop and try an impact (on low setting) on it?

If anybody has an input or ideas I would love to hear them.

 

[AREA 91]

Impact is a BAD idea, trust me. Your better off doing it by hand, as you can "feel" if it's gonna give or not.

 

[40BelowSummer]

The problem is it wont budge by hand, Im afraid if I try to hard it will break. This sucks.

 

[Black '93]

The problem is it wont budge by hand, Im afraid if I try to hard it will break. This sucks.

That definitley sucks! Personally, I'd try it myself so if it does break, at least you broke it and not some mechanic. Hold as much pressure on it as you feel safe with, then slowly (like really slow) increase the amount of torque and keep turning it. Keep increasing the pressure while turning it counterclockwise. Also make sure tat you have a nice big ratchet with minimal extensions so if it slips off the plug you dont break it off in there. Do this while the motor is as warm as you can get it and it is the best chance you have. It's better to slowly increase pressure then it is to just quickly torque on it with all your might. Sometimes if you crank on it really hard and just hold it there for 5 or 10 seconds it will just pop loose too.

 

[SASHO91]

i had a sticky plug.. actually three, the front three...

As much as i hated to do it... i put a breaker bar on them. This was after i sprayed liquid wrench down there... being carful and apply pressure very gradually, i was able to break them free...

Make sure you put some anti-seize next time... i know i did.. just got to bite the bullet, and give it a shot... its gonna feel very weird.... and uncomfortable....

 

[Black '93]

Any news?