Spark Plugs

Robman817 · #1 09-23-2008, 12:58 AM

Hello, I just now tried taking out the spark plugs on the engine, but my wrench got stuck inside, its loose but even pliers don't seem to get it out, i tried hooking the wrench back up and tighten it a little to see if it would work but nope. any suggestions? thank you

mightymoose_22 · #2 09-23-2008, 05:52 AM

just what kind of wrench are you talking about? Is it a spark plug socket? U plug socket wprks well for removing spark plugs, but I use a regular deepwell for putting them back in. If you have a socket stuck, you should be able to remove the plug completely and pull the socket off.

zzyzzx2 · #3 09-23-2008, 08:02 AM

By chance, is it a 1991-1996 Escort with a 1.9L engine and the left most spark plug?

AzTumbleweed · #4 09-23-2008, 09:44 AM

Grab it with vice grips or why not take the plug back out?

Robman817 · #5 09-23-2008, 01:15 PM

Well my problem is it doesn't come out with the spark plug, my dad was helping me out and i think he made a mistake and gave me the wrong socket size. When i loosen it all the way it still doesn't come out. The only thing i could guess is the wrong size. And zzyzzx2 its a 1.8l and it did this with two of the plugs, luckily i got one out lol.

mightymoose_22 · #6 09-23-2008, 03:16 PM

this really isn't making sense to me... if the socket is on the plug and is loose, then they should both pull right out together.
If they are not coming out then I would think that your plug is damaged somehow and something is physically preventing it from coming out of the head.
If it is a plug socket that was used, it is fitted such that it will sit snugly on the plug for easy removal.... you need to figure out what is obstructing the plug and preventing it from coming out.

Robman817 · #7 09-23-2008, 03:24 PM

Thats what im not getting. im trying everything to figure out why they dont just come out. I tried yanking them out with needle nose pliers but all it does is wiggle them around.

mightymoose_22 · #8 09-23-2008, 03:38 PM

If you are certain that the plug is completely loosened past all the threads and it still won't come out, then something internally has to be holding it in.

Personally, if it were me, I would go ahead and pull the head and have a look inside. You might be able to wiggle it out, but there might be an internal problem that you are unaware of, and part of the plug might also break off inside the cylinder.

Has the car overheated at all?

Anyway... it is more work and more money, but I would be curious enough to yank the head, and it is old enough that it might be ready for a valve job anyway.

Robman817 · #9 09-23-2008, 03:57 PM

Well I actually just got this car and I am fixing it up, the previous owner just had it sitting for about a year, and i have to change the brake lines, give it an oil change, and pull those spark plugs. I was just looking at it and the wrong size socket was used, it was bigger than it should be. Since i got the other plugs out i looked back at the one that was stuck, and its not unscrewed all the way, just a little bit, but no matter how much i try to loosen it with the bigger socket thats stuck in there nothing happens, I'm surprised it was even loosened a little bit and cant loosen anymore.

AzTumbleweed · #10 09-23-2008, 04:03 PM

Try vice grips.

Robman817 · #11 09-23-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzTumbleweed

Try vice grips.

I would but vice grips will not fit in that hole, also the socket is pretty close to the circumference of the hole the plug is in. basically the only thing that fits in the hole is the wrench, and pliers lol. Thank you

mightymoose_22 · #12 09-23-2008, 05:11 PM

form a hook with a wire coat hanger and pull the socket out.

Robman817 · #13 09-23-2008, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightymoose_22

form a hook with a wire coat hanger and pull the socket out.

Basically what I did, I finally got it, with a dentist tooth scraper, and pliers. Thank you all for your great help!

rhandwor · #14 09-23-2008, 06:00 PM

Some newer Fords use a 5/8 inch spark plug socket. Some use a 9/16 inch socket. Did you use a 13/16 inch socket. Use a 6 point deep well socket. You may have to use a hammer and tap it on if you rounded the edges. I use a 3/8 inch drive with an extension.

Robman817 · #15 09-23-2008, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhandwor

Some newer Fords use a 5/8 inch spark plug socket. Some use a 9/16 inch socket. Did you use a 13/16 inch socket. Use a 6 point deep well socket. You may have to use a hammer and tap it on if you rounded the edges. I use a 3/8 inch drive with an extension.

I beleive it was 11/16 but i know better from now on

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