Spark plugs
 

2000 Dodge Dakota 2wd automatic 112k miles

Was changing spark plugs and I removed the plug wire. The spark plug has dirt caked around the white insulator. I cannot get the socket on the plug. I checked another plug on the opposite side and it is the same.

What is the best way to remove the dirt? It is brown dirt like dried mud.

Do the metal tubes come out?

What purpose do they serve?

Thanks

The tubes are heat shields to protect from the manifold heat as I recall. They also should act sort of like a heatsink to pull heat from the base of the sparkplug to disperse. If it is just dirt, grab something like a metal coathanger or similar small rigid object, try to break it up, and use a blower or compressed air to blow it out of the tube.

Metal tubes will come out, just tug with pliers. I removed all mine, they just get in the way.

This is pretty much standard procedure on the Second gen Rams. Many folks have removed them to no ill effect. They are very good at catching and holding dirt, and moisture, then it bakes with engine heat, and becomes a pretty solid mass...... Remove them, and throw them in the scrap pile. (they can sometimes be fun to get out......) blow out the remaining dirt/crap, then change your plugs.

Ok so the tubes do come out great I will try that next.

I removed the dirt around one plug, and tried to get it out. The insulator at top broke off. I cannot get a really good bite on the plug, but what I do get the plug is in good.

I am worried about cracking the head is it aluminum?

I did get the plug wire back on, and it is running ok not missing.

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Spark plug broke at top near insulator. It is seized up and worried it will crack head or strip out threads.

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I will pull the metal sleeves off and see what happens.

I was able to put the wire back on and the plug still fires. I am thinking of just selling it.

Does this engine have aluminum heads?

I had a shop change plugs. I asked them to remove the metal tubes but they only removed 2. Anyways the truck runs better.

Before I change rotor and distribution cap...

it still has a bit of rough idle. Does this truck have a sensor which can be cleaned for the idle?

Change the cap and rotor, maybe even the wires, if they are old, see if it runs any better.

I searched and found this truck has an IAC that regulates idle. I watched a video. I will try to clean it and see what happens.

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