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One Spark Plug Wire won't release from spark plug

Old 09-02-2018, 12:28 PM
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One Spark Plug Wire won't release from spark plug

I have 30,000 miles on my plugs now, and I tried to take one out to check the gap and condition of the electrodes. I got a fairly good grip on it, in that confined space (it was on the passenger side, one of the 2 middle plugs), but couldn't get it to come off. I could have pulled harder, but I was afraid I'd break it.

I was able to get a plug wire off easily on the driver side.

What's the secret to getting a stuck wire off without ruining it?

Thanks
Old 09-02-2018, 06:00 PM
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Re: One Spark Plug Wire won't release from spark plug

Twist it on the plug before pulling on it.

Then when you put it back on, put a bit of dielectric grease all around inside the boot.
Old 09-02-2018, 06:08 PM
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Re: One Spark Plug Wire won't release from spark plug

Old 09-02-2018, 06:41 PM
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Re: One Spark Plug Wire won't release from spark plug

I don't think that will help?? (but maybe)
Old 09-02-2018, 09:01 PM
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Re: One Spark Plug Wire won't release from spark plug

Wiggle a small screwdriver in between the wire and boot.
Then get the straw from a can of silicone spray in there and give it a shot.
Twist the boot and it should be free.
And like Sofa said, dielectric grease to prevent this in the future.
Old 09-07-2018, 05:12 PM
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Re: One Spark Plug Wire won't release from spark plug

Originally Posted by NoEmissions84TA
Wiggle a small screwdriver in between the wire and boot.
Then get the straw from a can of silicone spray in there and give it a shot.
Twist the boot and it should be free.
And like Sofa said, dielectric grease to prevent this in the future.

Thanks for the idea. I didn't realize the boot was separate from the wire. I'll give it a shot.
Old 09-13-2018, 07:14 PM
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Re: One Spark Plug Wire won't release from spark plug

Originally Posted by NoEmissions84TA
Wiggle a small screwdriver in between the wire and boot.
Then get the straw from a can of silicone spray in there and give it a shot.
Twist the boot and it should be free.
And like Sofa said, dielectric grease to prevent this in the future.
Cool idea. Never tried that one. I have two different plug wire release tools that help quite a bit. One looks like screwdriver but with a hook at the end that fits around the porcelin of the plug and pushes the boot off as you pull. The other is a Thexton tool for GM 3.4s that sucks cause it's plastic crap, but does help sometimes. It catches the edge of the boot and helps pull it off. Between these two tools and twisting the boot, I manage to get them loose, usually without having to repair a wire afterward. I may try the silicone spray trick on the next stubborn one. Oh and +1 on the dielectric grease. I never do plugs without it.
Old 12-06-2018, 01:54 PM
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Re: One Spark Plug Wire won't release from spark plug

Deleted . I hate this new format.

Last edited by Larry; 12-06-2018 at 01:58 PM. Reason: wrong thread
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