Spark plug just spins and spins?
10-02-2009, 05:20 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: NH
Posts: 6
Spark plug just spins and spins?
I recently changed out 7 of 8 spark plugs on my GT, only to find excessive carbon on the tips of these two section plugs. One broke off and I purchased the special tool to remove piece, it worked like a charm- I almost broke a tear!
My new question is, I have one left, the number 5 cylinder and the plug just spins and spins- remaining firm in the hole. I cannot use the tool because the entire plug remains. I believe the thread portion of the plug may have seperated from the lower segment, leaving the porcelain core intact.
Any ideas on how to remove this last, stubborn plug?
Thanks so much.
My new question is, I have one left, the number 5 cylinder and the plug just spins and spins- remaining firm in the hole. I cannot use the tool because the entire plug remains. I believe the thread portion of the plug may have seperated from the lower segment, leaving the porcelain core intact.
Any ideas on how to remove this last, stubborn plug?
Thanks so much.
10-02-2009, 06:00 AM
#2
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location:
Posts: 200
It's seperated at at the junction of the two piece (OS) design. I'm guessing the porcelain is still stuck in the ground sleeve. You'll have to reach in there with some long needle nose pliers and pull it straight out. Look at the bright side, it'll give you another chance to use that tool! 
Which one did you get? Any details on the extraction? I've got 5 I've got to remove as soon as I get the tool I ordered. Good luck!
Which one did you get? Any details on the extraction? I've got 5 I've got to remove as soon as I get the tool I ordered. Good luck!
10-02-2009, 08:06 AM
#3
6th Gear Member
There's a TSB on this issue for plugs breaking during removal. The TSB describes the different scenarios depending on how they break and what tools they use to extract them. Nice design, Ford.
10-02-2009, 08:14 AM
#4
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location:
Posts: 200
He knows about that as he's used a tool to extract a broken plug already. He's got one that I suspect is broken and is just spinning freely. I had 3 like that, and pliers will work to pull them out. Then he can use the tool he already has to extract the broken end.
10-02-2009, 11:51 AM
#7
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: NH
Posts: 6
It's seperated at at the junction of the two piece (OS) design. I'm guessing the porcelain is still stuck in the ground sleeve. You'll have to reach in there with some long needle nose pliers and pull it straight out. Look at the bright side, it'll give you another chance to use that tool!
Which one did you get? Any details on the extraction? I've got 5 I've got to remove as soon as I get the tool I ordered. Good luck!
Which one did you get? Any details on the extraction? I've got 5 I've got to remove as soon as I get the tool I ordered. Good luck!
Blow dryer to heat up the porcelain/plug remains
Screw in Pusher body into main threads
Screw in pusher screw and tip until it presses porcelain down into plug tip- nice crunching sound and resistance as it goes down- creeping feeling as the rachet resists then lets go.... eeeh
Pull that stuff out and insert a puller assembly (aluminum) and housing.
Insert puller screw as it taps into the top of the spark plug tip. Then you use a hex screw and nylon gasket and go the other way- it holds on and pulls it right out. A lot of work for a stupid spark plug.
Give yourself and high five and enjoy an ice cold beer upon the success!
10-02-2009, 12:06 PM
#8
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location:
Posts: 200
What's even scarier is that Ford will not accept responsibility for it and leaves it up to the owner to deal with it. I don't blame the guys that are talking about leaving the plugs in until 100k miles and then selling the vehicle. I wish I would have just left them alone.
10-02-2009, 12:08 PM
#9
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location:
Posts: 200
I bought the Lisle unit ($55)- recommended in another post, top notch tool. I went real slow and read, reread the directions again and again so I would not make a critical mistake. Took about a half hour because I needed several sockets to turn the pullers, pusher screws etc and did not have them laid out like an operation table.
Blow dryer to heat up the porcelain/plug remains
Screw in Pusher body into main threads
Screw in pusher screw and tip until it presses porcelain down into plug tip- nice crunching sound and resistance as it goes down- creeping feeling as the rachet resists then lets go.... eeeh
Pull that stuff out and insert a puller assembly (aluminum) and housing.
Insert puller screw as it taps into the top of the spark plug tip. Then you use a hex screw and nylon gasket and go the other way- it holds on and pulls it right out. A lot of work for a stupid spark plug.
Give yourself and high five and enjoy an ice cold beer upon the success!
Blow dryer to heat up the porcelain/plug remains
Screw in Pusher body into main threads
Screw in pusher screw and tip until it presses porcelain down into plug tip- nice crunching sound and resistance as it goes down- creeping feeling as the rachet resists then lets go.... eeeh
Pull that stuff out and insert a puller assembly (aluminum) and housing.
Insert puller screw as it taps into the top of the spark plug tip. Then you use a hex screw and nylon gasket and go the other way- it holds on and pulls it right out. A lot of work for a stupid spark plug.
Give yourself and high five and enjoy an ice cold beer upon the success!
Thank you FORD.