I am wanting to change spark plugs on my 2001 Trooper. I have taken off the coils, but how do you get the rubber inserts out?

Thanks for any replies.

Ralf

The coil and boot usually come out in 1 piece especially if you twist as you pull. Adding direlectric grease to the plug top also helps for the next removal.

What to do now? I don't know. You could snap the coil back on the boot and try the pull and twist technique. You could try grabbing the boots with needlenose pliers. The posts I have read by those doing this tended to destroy the boot. Maybe you could insert a wood dowel inside the boot and grip the outside of the boot with regular pliers wrapped in a towel. Then again there probably isn't enough room in the holes to get the pliers/towel in there. You could try some spark plug wire pliers. They are formed to grip round wires and are coated in rubber. Again the hole access could be an issue. Kind of just brainstorming in print here.

Maybe someone with a better idea will check in.

Good luck.

Hmmm.....I see what you mean. I did try the needlenose method, but with no luck. Hopefully someone else has done this before (rubber insert removal) and can come back with some ideas.

I put the coil back in and the engine runs fine. I just though I would change the plugs before winter, as I have 45,000 miles on them. Maybe I will just wait. :naughty:

If the tubes wont come out with the *twist & pull* method, then like travelman said, the only way to get them out is basically dig'em out :evillol: . Long screw drivers, pick set, pliers, cork screw, etc.. The coil is designed to pull away from & snap back into the tube as you've seen. You should get those plugs out & atleast check & anti-sieze them every 30-50K miles.
G/luck
Joel

Thanks Joel - I guess that is what I need to do.
:banghead:

I have always had luck pulling them with long nose pliers get them in between the tower and boot and inside of the boot squeeze and twist untill it breaks loose then you can pull them out
if you dont feel confident about doing it yourself then dont because yoiu cant replace just the boot it comes with the coil and please put NIPPENDENSO plugs in it so that you wont have to post a running bad or check engine light concern

Thanks for the all the help. Now I just need to get on with the job.

Thanks - Ralf