Strange spark plug problem

[Railroader]

Was checking round the engine today [1.4i]. I pulled out no1 spark plug and it looked fine [double electrode] but couldnt get the spark plug wrench to turn the no2 plug- its one of those flexible wrenches with a T handle- it would undo 1, 3 and 4 but no2.

Then tried a spark plug socket and same story it will undo all the plugs except no2, it just turns round and doesnt bite as though its not pushed down far enough, but I pushed and tapped with a rubber mallet and wiggled the socket to no avail. Wot is going on here?

Also there is a misfire developing when under full load at low revs- typical of plug gaps or the coilpack. I think it might be this errant plug so must get it out

[Stevo123]

Maybe threads are damaged and it will not back out when your unscrewing it? Otherwise the flats on the plug might be rounded off, I remember another guy had this problem and someone had a solution - I just can not remember what it was. You might get lucky with a search mate?

[Railroader]

its just not grabbing on the plug at all, it seems solid in the head not loose

[Railroader]

really strange this; I took it to a backstreet garage and they put a mirror on it to look down the hole.

Couldnt see anything wedged down there, the plug looks the same as the others. But the socket just sits higher than on the other plugs it doesnt seat properly. Tried different size long sockets but none would fit. Ooer

[stevo67]

Go to Halfords get a flexible T-bar spark plug socket the same thing happened to me & using this tool I got the plug out,try warming the engine up 1st it`ll make getting the plug out easier.

Steve.

[Railroader]

Go to Halfords get a flexible T-bar spark plug socket the same thing happened to me & using this tool I got the plug out,try warming the engine up 1st it`ll make getting the plug out easier.

Steve.

You might not have read my post but I already tried one of those- see its at the top

[VTS123]

Those t-bar plug sockets are dreadful. Bin it and get a proper socket set with a proper plug socket.

[thenice]

The only joy i found with those poxy t-bar things is to use a large ring spanner on the t part to get more leverage!

[Sparco_Tom]

take the engine for a good hard drive then, get a breaker bar out and see if you can gently unstick it with a solid socket and extension bar

[Railroader]

take the engine for a good hard drive then, get a breaker bar out and see if you can gently unstick it with a solid socket and extension bar


I dont think you have read my post; maybe it is the weather. but if the socket is not biting- what use is a T bar?

[Railroader]

Those t-bar plug sockets are dreadful. Bin it and get a proper socket set with a proper plug socket.

Another one that has not read my post- I have already tried a plug socket- see at the top!

[raunchz]

Could take the rubber bung out of the spark plug socket and try if the socket isn't sitting deep enough?

Does the socket just slip then? As if the spark plug is about to round ?

[Andy8v]

Sounds like the threads are damaged if so it will need hellicoiling, once the spark plug is out. Had the same problem and thats the only solution.

[raunchz]

^ ^ That's a good shout tbh.

The spark plug could just be spinning and spinning hence it feels like the socket is slipping

[Sparco_Tom]

i never mentioned Tbar just breaker bar

[dt_]

ive got a car that has a plug seized into the head, but it runs ok so if yours is running fine then just leave it

[Andy8v]

ive got a car that has a plug seized into the head, but it runs ok so if yours is running fine then just leave it

Exactly what id do, retighten and replace the other 3 if neccesary

[Railroader]

^ ^ That's a good shout tbh.

The spark plug could just be spinning and spinning hence it feels like the socket is slipping

But wouldnt there be some looseness in the plug? its tight and when you tap it its solid. and wouldnt it spoil the running if it was loose or be noisy like somebody suggested the other day?

[Railroader]

Its not stripped, the socket sits higher than on the other plugs and its not slotting down onto the flats

[BobC]

Very odd. Perhaps the wrong type of plug was once fitted and others tried and failed to get it out.

Suspect a wrong spark plug, perhaps a different size one.

You could also try one of these - but you'd need to find a way to check the plug size: http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=28993

[Railroader]

Very odd. Perhaps the wrong type of plug was once fitted and others tried and failed to get it out.

Suspect a wrong spark plug, perhaps a different size one.

You could also try one of these - but you'd need to find a way to check the plug size: http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=28993


Maybe thats it, the mechanic said it might be a motorcycle plug but I treid a variety of long sockets as described above. Tomoz I'll see if there is a rubber bung in the socket then take it to a car spares shop and see what they think

[raunchz]

Yeh, spark plug sockets will often have a rubber bung in them so you pull out the plug when you pull the socket away from the head.

If you remove this bung then it might work ?

[Railroader]

Tried it without the bung and no difference. The plug looks identical to the others.

Been to a car spares shop and theres definately only two sizes of plug sockets.

My best guess is that there is something lodged down there from when I remantled the engine, one of the small nuts off the inlet manifold maybe, I remember looking for a nut at one point. But cant see anything down by the plug using a mirror.

Had a fiddle with a long thin screwdriver and cant find anything loose. V Strange! I might try some chewing gum on the end of a lollopop stick next

[Sheppie501]

if the spark plug is loose thou wont it fire out once the car is started up??? this happend to my lawnmower lol i never tighted the spark plug properly n when i was riding it it flew out of the front across the field! same might happen to you but worse since the sparks face up towards the carb and windscreen????

[Railroader]

if the spark plug is loose thou wont it fire out once the car is started up??? this happend to my lawnmower lol i never tighted the spark plug properly n when i was riding it it flew out of the front across the field! same might happen to you but worse since the sparks face up towards the carb and windscreen????

the plug is not loose but if it did fly out it would hit the inlet manifold chamber.

[stevo67]

You have made sure that the socket/t-bar is aligned centrally on the plug & gently pushed down onto the plug?

Steve.

[Railroader]

You have made sure that the socket/t-bar is aligned centrally on the plug & gently pushed down onto the plug?

Steve.

give me a break will you?

[Railroader]

Well at least I have solved the misfire, there was a loose wire coming from the multiplug that goes to the coilpack with a little earthing plate on it and a condenser? I bolted it to earth and it runs fine now. At weekend I will take the inlet manifold off and have a proper look into the plug hole

[stevo67]

give me a break will you?

Well when yo ask for advice on a forum & someone tries to help you don`t throw it back in their face,theres to many know it alls on here who won`t take advice from people a little older then themselves with some experience.:wall::wall:


Steve.

[Railroader]

Well when yo ask for advice on a forum & someone tries to help you don`t throw it back in their face,theres to many know it alls on here who won`t take advice from people a little older then themselves with some experience.:wall::wall:
Steve.

The thing is, Ive already said that I tried a flexible plug wrench- then I tried a plug socket and said "I pushed and tapped with a rubber mallet and wiggled the socket to no avail."

Then I said I took it to the garage- the mechanic has obviously tried it all ways. Then I took it to a car spares shop and the lad there tried it all ways [presumably].

I ask for advice fair enough but the least that the respondednts can do is actually read my post?

[stevo67]

Fair comment mate.


Steve.