Since you're replacing them, some spray lube would work and then use a longer length bar to get more leverage. They might be rusted, along with whoever put them in honkering down on them.
Spark Plugs Seized?
So I decided to change my plugs today as I do not know when the last time they were changed. Bought a set of Autolite plugs and gapped them at .054. Started with the first plug and came on to it pretty hard and it would not budge. Checked a few others and they are all the same way. I do not want to come on to the plug any harder as I know it will snap. Anyone had any experience getting out really tight or seized up spark plugs? I assume some penetrating lube?
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Thanks. I put on some penetrating lube and plan on letting it set for a few hours. I am a bit hesitant to use a longer bar on the end for more leverage. If they do not come out with just a ratchet I would be afraid of stripping the threads or snapping the plug with a long bar on the end.Since you're replacing them, some spray lube would work and then use a longer length bar to get more leverage. They might be rusted, along with whoever put them in honkering down on them.
If they don't come out and you are scared to use more force. Take the car to a chain service station like a Firestone or Pep boys. Pay for a tune up. If they mess it up at least you know they will fix it on their dime.
Ya your probably right, I have never had this much trouble replacing plugs before.If they don't come out and you are scared to use more force. Take the car to a chain service station like a Firestone or Pep boys. Pay for a tune up. If they mess it up at least you know they will fix it on their dime.
that penetrant should work.
just put some antiseize on the threads of the new plugs before you install them so you wont have the same problem.
just put some antiseize on the threads of the new plugs before you install them so you wont have the same problem.
Use a long handle 3/8 ratctet or breaker bar and a good 6 pt plug socket and have your wheaties in the morning and i bet you can bust those suckers loose..:gringreen
Yeah use a breaker bar carefully after you spray them down, it'll bite better on the plug over a ratchet!
Just in Case.......Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey:laugh:
Lol, ya after I could not get them to budge I double checked I was actually lefty loosey.Just in Case.......Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey:laugh:
Well I had no luck. I let the penetrating lube set for several hours and they still will not budge. I will probably just leave it until the winter, I do not want to be out of my car for a few weeks before I stripped a plug.
This is CLEARLY a case where discretion is the better part of valor. There are 2 possible bad outcomes. 1) A broken plug. This isn't too bad as long as you can still get a wrench on it. 2) You strip it. Now you're in a REAL bind. Sooooo.... discretion means you spend the money and take it to Pep Boys or your local Ford dealer. This is one case where you want to absolve yourself of the responsibility. Once you get it back, you need to immediately remove the new plugs and check to make sure they're installed properly with a dab of anti-seize and the proper amount of torque.
I'd warm the car up really good and try to break them loose while hot. It isn't likely you would ever get a lube on the threads from the outside because the plugs have a very tight seal on the OUTSIDE.
Odds are if they are stuck like that something is already bad. One thing I've seen is someone putting long thread plugs in stock heads. The threads stick down in the chamber and then the combustion eats the threads up.
The old farmer (he was 98 years old) who rented land from me had a plug stuck in his tractor. He cranked it up and let it get good and hot and slowly poured oil in the carburator. I got the heck out of there. I probably would not repeat that or other things I saw him do, but if you are desperate enough that would be the only way to lube the threads......
Odds are if they are stuck like that something is already bad. One thing I've seen is someone putting long thread plugs in stock heads. The threads stick down in the chamber and then the combustion eats the threads up.
The old farmer (he was 98 years old) who rented land from me had a plug stuck in his tractor. He cranked it up and let it get good and hot and slowly poured oil in the carburator. I got the heck out of there. I probably would not repeat that or other things I saw him do, but if you are desperate enough that would be the only way to lube the threads......
I'd warm the car up really good and try to break them loose while hot. It isn't likely you would ever get a lube on the threads from the outside because the plugs have a very tight seal on the OUTSIDE.
Odds are if they are stuck like that something is already bad. One thing I've seen is someone putting long thread plugs in stock heads. The threads stick down in the chamber and then the combustion eats the threads up.
The old farmer (he was 98 years old) who rented land from me had a plug stuck in his tractor. He cranked it up and let it get good and hot and slowly poured oil in the carburator. I got the heck out of there. I probably would not repeat that or other things I saw him do, but if you are desperate enough that would be the only way to lube the threads......
They do funny things in the Southern Part of Georgia. Tom, are you near the Eisenhower exit off 75. Or close to it? I used to travel there a lot.
Don't give up :nogrinnerLol, ya after I could not get them to budge I double checked I was actually lefty loosey.
Well I had no luck. I let the penetrating lube set for several hours and they still will not budge. .
Time to break out the 1/2" dr breaker bar, leverage is king...
Show those plugs who the man is... :gringreen
I find that with really tight plugs sometimes you have to apply a "little" righty tighty pressure to the plug to help work the penetration lube in. Also with your breaker bar don't try to break the plug loose instantly by putting your weight on the bar. I just apply a good amount of leverage and I hold it for a few seconds. Give it a break and then apply pressure and hold again.
I have never tried warming the engine first but I may try that in the future.
I have never tried warming the engine first but I may try that in the future.
So one thing I failed to point out all along is I have aluminum heads. I have read several posts online of the steel plugs actually fusing with the aluminum heads which happens more on some aluminum heads than others. It is actually a common problem in newer model car/trucks with aluminum heads that recommend long service intervals before changing the plugs. It is way too easy to strip out the threads out of the aluminum heads, so those plugs are going to stay in there for awhile until I really start having issues and I will have someone else try and take them out.
Sorry to hear that. I'd leave them in also until they just have to be changed. You can always use thread repair helicoils to fix any bad threads. I've had to do that.
Next time you change plugs in aluminum heads coat the threads with aluminum anti-seize paste. Steel and aluminum are always a mess over time from electrolysis.
Tom
Next time you change plugs in aluminum heads coat the threads with aluminum anti-seize paste. Steel and aluminum are always a mess over time from electrolysis.
Tom
Ya, I am not too happy with the prior owner but hopefully will not have to worry about it for a while.Sorry to hear that. I'd leave them in also until they just have to be changed. You can always use thread repair helicoils to fix any bad threads. I've had to do that.
Next time you change plugs in aluminum heads coat the threads with aluminum anti-seize paste. Steel and aluminum are always a mess over time from electrolysis.
Tom
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