I have a 98 1500 reg cab 5.9 eng Ram, 98,000 miles that I just picked up for a good price. I was changing the plugs and got 7 of the 8 out when the plug wouldnt come out. After turning the air blue in about 3 languages the plug broke off a third of the way down the thread. The guts came out so I can see into the cylinder. Took it to a shop and they broke an easy out trying to remove it. Anyone have a similiar run in with this? They are going to have to remove the head and crap to remove it. Is this a problem on this engine or did I just by one of the trucks made on someone bad monday?

Caretaker

 

I did mine over the weekend. Luckily the one that broke on me was just the tip.

Sounds like the plugs either have never been changed or that whoever did them the last time didn't put anti-sieze on them.

 

This scenario happened to me last summer. The end result was a $2k top end rebuild. Look up my threads and you will see what I had to do. Don't be surprised if that cylinder comes up with a crack between the valve seats. Good luck!

 

I am crossing my fingers and everything else that isnt also in the cards. I paid 2 grand for this truck and thought I got a good deal. Now I am wondering. Maybe I should have stayed with my old 93 Dakota with 190,000 miles on it. Needed something bigger to haul a couple of motorcycles around.

 

I broke a few off the last time I did a tune-up (which was the 3rd tune-up I did with this truck since new). What a major pain. I got one out but the other broke the easy-out off inside of it. I had to pull the head of and remove it from the bottom side. Good luck with it man.

Anti-seize was definitely used when the new plugs were installed

 

I will definitely be using anti seize

 

They key to all this is a proper 30lb torque. I have never used anti-seize. Replaced my plugs a couple weeks ago after they were in for 3 years, and they came out no problem. Considering all the rust in my engine bay, I know it's due the the proper torque. And God only knows how long the original ones were in there before 3 years ago, and they came right out too.

 

I agree. I'll never understand why people are too busy to use a torque wrench on such a common failure point. Those aren't grade-8 bolts! People also have told me you should install plugs "3/4 turn past finger tight." Ah....no. Anti-seize and a torque wrench will work wonders in my opinion.

Won't help you now but figured I would share for future forum-searchers.

 

Well, I pick up the truck on Thursday, afternoon. They had to pull the head. They broke off an extractor trying to pull it out. THey told me that the previous person that put the plug in cross threaded it. THey really had to work at it to install it as far as they did. Thanks for all the input.

 

i think those stupid heat shields increase people's tendency to cross thread them.
that's why i removed mine.