HELP! - Can't Remove Spark Plug Socket!
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 4
From: Huntington Beach, CA
HELP! - Can't Remove Spark Plug Socket!
So I'm doing my plugs today. Left & right lowers are done, top right including #12 are done. So far, pretty easy when you take your time. Figured I'd save the relatively easy top left for last.
I start on #1 top. Going in, there seemed to be a little more resistance than on the others. I get the plug unscrewed, go to pull it out and there's some resistance. I pull a little harder and my locking extension and the electrical tape pull off the socket head! I can't believe it!
From what I can tell, the flange around the hole that protrudes down towards the spark plug appears to narrow and is catching the socket.
Not sure what to do here as no amount of pulling or twisting seems to get it out. I thought about using some metal epoxy to glue the extension onto the socket - is this a good idea? Or can I file that flange a little? Or am I screwed and have to pull the valve cover?
Any help/ideas would be greatly appreciated.
I start on #1 top. Going in, there seemed to be a little more resistance than on the others. I get the plug unscrewed, go to pull it out and there's some resistance. I pull a little harder and my locking extension and the electrical tape pull off the socket head! I can't believe it!
From what I can tell, the flange around the hole that protrudes down towards the spark plug appears to narrow and is catching the socket.
Not sure what to do here as no amount of pulling or twisting seems to get it out. I thought about using some metal epoxy to glue the extension onto the socket - is this a good idea? Or can I file that flange a little? Or am I screwed and have to pull the valve cover?
Any help/ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 4
From: Huntington Beach, CA
Problem solved! 
With my handy, dandy telescopic mirror, some body contortions and carefully twisting, I got the socket out! Arrrhh! - what a waste of time. There is a burr or mold protrusion of some kind that just blocks a socket from getting in and out smoothly. I'll have to double up on the elecrical tape for the new plug.
With my handy, dandy telescopic mirror, some body contortions and carefully twisting, I got the socket out! Arrrhh! - what a waste of time. There is a burr or mold protrusion of some kind that just blocks a socket from getting in and out smoothly. I'll have to double up on the elecrical tape for the new plug.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 3
From: Fairfax Virginia
Should'a read my earlier post on changing plugs: simply wrap the plug socket and extensions and universal joint with a layer of duct tape! It won't come apart. That way you can use a good plug socket with a tight fitting rubber grommet in it to hold the plug!
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 4
From: Huntington Beach, CA
Where did you find the small outer diameter socket you describe?
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,210
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From: Nova Scotia
Apparently not! I had no problem with the 11 others. In this case, the fit was so tight that the casting was cutting through the tape and caused the socket & extension to seperate. Next time around I'll know what to do.
Where did you find the small outer diameter socket you describe?
Where did you find the small outer diameter socket you describe?
I found a 'long reach' type as shown in this set. Damn .... now that I've seen that set, I should get the 'wobble' type too - can never have too many tools ...
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