Stuck Spark Plug

Hey All,
New to the forum, between here and Youtube, I was looking to alleviate potential problems with maintaining my vehicles, instead of paying someone else to do the work. Since I’m writing this, you know that might not be the case.

Basic back ground – I bought the truck from a dealer 4 yrs ago with 90000 miles, it now has 124000, and, by no stretch of the imagination would anyone consider me a grease monkey.

I decided to replace the plugs, starting on the passenger side rear, and first one was a little stiff, took 3-4 complete rotations before it loosened up. The second one I have about 8 full rotations and it has yet to loosen. I did spray some penetrant around the plug, but that did not seem to help.

My concern is that it may be damaging the threads and I really do not want to replace the head. The remaining plugs came out similar to the first.

I was able to fit the coil over the stuck plug and the engine seems to be running fine.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

Is it backing out or just spinning?

I found having the truck a little warm, not Hot and not Cold helps the spark plugs come out.

 

I am assuming that it is spinning.
I did not think of measuring to see how far it has come up compared to the other plugs.

 

Sounds to me like these are original plugs.

Use a little more penetrating lube, and keep gently working it back and forth.

 

This right here.

Also use one of the plugs thats already out to measure how many turns it takes to completely remove or install.

Its definitely a long thread, but I want to say its 10-12 turns total so you might be close

 

If its already been cross-threaded, taking it out isnt going to hurt it more. might just be corroded...its a gamble!

 

Anti seize is your friend when you get it out.

 

I had a seized plug in daughter’s 07 Corolla. It turned, maybe, an eight of a turn initially. I sprayed a generous amount of a penetrating spray and let it soak overnight. An old trick on seized bolts is to strike the head repeatedly with a hammer. I placed my plug socket over an old plug to make sure I wouldn't be smashing the plug into pieces, that all the shock went to the threaded part of the plug. It all looked good, and, in the morning, I proceeded with several hammer strikes. Firm strikes, not super hard. It’s the old percussive shock treatment.
I made some errands, and with the engine at full temperature, I did some more striking and proceeded to attempt removing the plug. I immediately felt it start to unscrew easier and after 2-3 turns, she came out. No doubt I was sweating it the whole time. Hope you get it out also.

 

Second this.

 

About 16 turns if you go by Denso's picture.

 

Absolutely not. In fact, maybe someone has done this in the past and that’s why OP can’t get them to come out easy.

OP, since your truck is running fine now, just take it to a shop or have someone experienced come and help you.

Cue the anti seize and torque wrench on spark plugs crowd lmao

 

Are you perhaps confusing Loctite and Anti-seize? As had anti-seize been used previously he would not have this problem now. More than likely they are original plugs. Just remove them, apply a dab of anti-seize and reinstall being carful not to cross thread. I do not recommend running around with one plug backed more than halfway out of the head. Whatever the issue (I doubt you actually have one) stopping halfway is not going to solve it.

 

My understanding is plugs with silver coated threads should not have anti seize applied.

 

Came like cue’d.

Lmao, no, I did not mean loctite. MAYBE a tiny amount (like nothing thicker than fog on your windshield) will be fine but I’ve seen what combustion heat does to antiseize on spark plug threads.

There’s no reason to use it either.

 

To each their own I guess. I do recommend using a very little bit, just a dab and only the copper or nickel that is rated for temps in excess of 1800 degrees. On aluminum heads anyway.

 

It is widely accepted to use antisieze on a plug with black threads and that it is not necessary on ones with zinc or similar coatings. At the end of the day it's more of a preference thing. People just like to plant flags on the little shit that does not matter one way or the other on the internet.

Funny no one is batting an eye at this cat running around with his plug backed out 8 turns though. Those last few threads of that plug hanging on for dear life... LOL... This place is wild sometimes.

 

Well, that last bit was exactly why I suggested a mechanic or experienced friend…

 

Hello All,

Thanks for all of the sage advice.
When I reviewed the thread on my lunch break I was feeling pretty good about my chances of removing the plug without any issues. But…then came the after-lunch crowd, then I started having my doubts again.

I decided to throw caution to the wind and attempt to remove the plug. Things were not looking promising when I pulled the coil off, as the boot had flared out about a quarter inch.

I took Chuy’s advice and gave the plug a couple of love taps, then proceeded to back it out. It was still a little stiff to turn but, after about 4-5 complete turns it came loose (Not quite hanging on by a thread JJ, but damn close, I dodged a bullet on that one).

The plug did not seem to be any worse than the other plugs and there did not appear to be any damage to the head threads. All of the old plugs were Denso K20HR U11. I replaced them with Denso Iridium’s, and I also replaced the coils (Denso). And, as I had already put copper anti-seize on the first 5, before I started this thread, I went ahead and anti-seized the last one.

Thanks again for the encouragement and entertainment.

PS - Chuy - I get a chuckle whenever I see your avatar.
As a native San Diegan I had the opportunity to commute up the 5 to Irvine in the early 90's, so that sign is very familiar. Even more so when one morning, around 5am while cruising along 65-70mph in the fast lane, I got to see that scenario live, when a family came out of the darkness about 75 yards ahead of me trying to get to the center divide. This was long before they installed the fence in the center divide.

 

If you have a v6 iridiums are no bueno

 

Get the engine HOT!

Then try to remove immediately.