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Tech / General EngineIs your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
I did a tune up a while back on my 3.1 but i couldn’t get two of the 6 spark plugs out so i left them. I went back to try again. Andddddd it broke. Where do i go from here. I don’t wanna pull a head because this engine won’t be in here for more than a few months but i need to fix this. thanks. should of just left it
Side note. Only the ceramic part broke off. The nut part still seems to be on but now I’m in the position that i HAVE to remove it. any tips before i make it worse. ?
Look closely.
The square for the ratchet drive has been drilled out, so that the spark plug insulator can pass through.
The socket has been shortened. This socket works great with headers, or any other limited clearance situations.
You can do these mods yourself if you have a lathe.
I did a tune up a while back on my 3.1 but i couldn’t get two of the 6 spark plugs out so i left them. I went back to try again. Andddddd it broke. Where do i go from here. I don’t wanna pull a head because this engine won’t be in here for more than a few months but i need to fix this. thanks. should of just left it
Unfortunately...
I have seen this Sooooooooooooooooooo many times!
It is not recommended to use a conventional deep socket for SBC Spark-Plugs...
Especially with 1980s and Newer Cylinder-heads.
Even many "Spark-Plug" Sockets are too short/ shallow for our Spark-Plugs/ Cylinder-heads.
"Story of My Life"... Most Spark-Plug Sockets, and Most Women's Posterior-Fornix are just way too shallow.
I always celebrate when I come across a deep one (On both accounts).
Last edited by vorteciroc; Nov 14, 2022 at 02:05 PM.
Unfortunately...
I have seen this Sooooooooooooooooooo many times!
It is not recommended to use a conventional deep socket for SBC Spark-Plugs...
Especially with 1980s and Newer Cylinder-heads.
Even many "Spark-Plug" Sockets are too short/ shallow for our Spark-Plugs/ Cylinder-heads.
"Story of My Life"... Most Spark-Plug Sockets, and Most Women's Posterior-Fornix are just way too shallow.
I always celebrate when I come across a deep one (On both accounts).
Hi Vortec, not "nit picking" here, but the OP isn't working on a small block chevy V8, his engine is a 3.1 V6.....
Is the problem a stuck spark plug or you can't get a socket on it straight? If it's stuck spray it with parts loosener for a couple days, then put serious heat on it and give it a try.
Is the problem a stuck spark plug or you can't get a socket on it straight? If it's stuck spray it with parts loosener for a couple days, then put serious heat on it and give it a try.
The problem is it’s stuck. I can’t get it to turn and am afraid of breaking it off in the head. I’ve been soaking it with PB blaster and WD40 penetrating specialist. I’m not sure if there’s enough room to get heat on it but i could try.
......... I’m not sure if there’s enough room to get heat on it but i could try.
Just to have it not be left unsaid, , the "it" your supposed to be heating would be the cylinder head itself, and not the broken off sparkplug, you do know that, yes?
Heating the head will allow the head's metal to expand slightly, hopefully allowing the hole the plug is in to expand enough to get the plug out.
Heating the plug will expand it tighter in the hole it's already stuck in
Ran into this some years ago in an old Chevy pickup. AC plug was thin as paper just under the hex shoulder. Even with lots of loosener and some heat it twisted right off the threaded shank. I got an easy out, really put some serious heat on it and it did come out. Pure dumb luck that time. But I'm thinking the heat might expand the plug shank and take some pressure off that tapered seat? Tough situation for sure!
Serious heat will make the plug expand, which should "fracture" the corrosion that is keeping it bound.
As it cools and shrinks back, that's when you blast it with penetrant. It will get in all those micro-cracks.
Never try to remove a "hot" spark plug.
quick update. i was able to get it out with an impact. normally i wouldn’t use an impact so as to not break it but obviously i already did. came right out with a couple universal joints and extensions. thanks guys.
