spark plug stuck

So this is a Wierd one. Went to replace my spark plugs today and got all put and in. All seemed to go in fine but when I when to replace the boot on the front R it would fit correctly. Went to see if I could tighten it and the socket wrench just spins. Now when I look down the hole it looks totally different than the other ones, like there is some kind of metal covering on it. I measured how far the socket went down and sure enough it wont go down all the way. Any idea what I am looking at and what to do? See attached photos for a normal one on the truck and the abnormal one. Thanks!

 

Some (most?) spark plug sockets have a rubber piece up in the socket to hold the spark plug in the socket when you are installing it. It looks like that stayed attached to the spark plug and came out of the socket. See if it's still in the socket.

 

Magnetic plug socket ftw.

 

Thanks! I dont notice anything different in that boot versus the other ones but I could just be not looking closely enough. I dont see any rubber piece in the socket so that could be it too. Any suggestions on how to remove it. I have some fine grabbers and they dont seem to be able to move it. Thanks!

 

Maybe you can force the socket over the rubber and remove the plug and the take the rubber out of the socket .

 

Yup, looks like the rubber insert from the socket.

@nate04taco you mentioned a measurement difference got any numbers?

 

That just happened to me too. Couldn't find my spark plug socket (actually I didn't know I even had one) so I used a regular 5/8 deep well. Finally found it, but something happened, and I could not get the socket to engage the spark plug. Took a good look and found one broken piece of insulator that had wedged itself between the spark plug and the cylinder wall. It was just high enough to prevent the socket from engaging.

I removed it and then found two more teeny tiny pieces. Took them out and voila! The socket engaged the plug and out she came. Maybe you have some stuff down there too???

 

After you remove the piece of boot thats blocking the plug I would recommend blowing out that hole before taking the plug out in case theres anything else small down there that could fall into the spark plug hole and into the engine, hell knocking the plastic loose with a long thin screwdrivet then blowing compressed air down there may be enough to get the plastic out. I would assume you would need a new coil to prevent arcing.

 

Thanks all! Was indeed the rubber insert from the socket. Used a scalpel to cut it out and then pulled it out with some narrow grabbers I had. Was able to get it out in a couple pieces so not much debris left to clean out. Really appreciate all the advice!

 

Glad to hear everything worked out