I have removed the heat shields for easier access (tried it both ways). I have broken the ceramic on 3 plugs doing this spark plug change. Major Lesson Learned: Don't assume the previous owner maintained the vehicle.

I am left with one broken plug - number one (driver side front). Terminal is broken off, but the rest of it is there. I have tried every tool I have access to. Still not able to get this plug to free up even a little. I used PB, 1/2 breaker bar, etc.. That space is just so small and difficult to get any tools fitted on the plug, let alone get leverage.
I am hoping that you guys have some suggestions on how to get this puppy out.

Take Care, Sharon

 

Is the heat shield still on this one plug? If so, try cutting, bending, breaking it off to give you more clearance.

 

Thanks, but I took the heat shield off already.

Take Care, Sharon

 

Also, if you take the socket off the breaker bar, turn it 90 degrees, and put it back on, your breaker bar handle will be a little higher.

 

Tried the breaker bar from all sorts of positions - up, sideways, down. Tried from inside the truck, outside the truck, under the truck. This is a pistol!

Take Care, Sharon

 

[sm=headbang.gif]Give yourself an 'attaboy' for not pushing it off of a cliff yet.

1. Did you try a piece of pipe on the breaker bar for more leverage?
2. Did you try getting someone bigger and stronger to try it for you?
(yes I know it's a pride thing, but sometimes you just gotta...)

 

1. Can't get the pipe in. I barely have enough swing space to get the 1/2" breaker bar in and move it (about an inch). This is a really bad spot. Took the heat shield off the side firewall, helped justa tad.
2.Yup, the guys came, kabitzed, tried, lost patience, and left. LOL

My last ditch effort is to buy a 3/8" breaker bar (but that means I have to bum a ride 30 miles away - no one in this town has one and I certainly can't get a ride today - Super Bowl !!).

Take Care, Sharon

 

What about buying one online and having it overnighted it. Might be a bit more expensive than the 60 mile round trip, but it'll get there.

 

Im not sure what these are called, but they are a cap that goes into a socket so you can use a regular wrench on it. then you use a set of open/closed end wrnches on it. If you then hook two wrenches together by looping a closed wrench over the open end of the wrench. I'd only try this with a good set of wrenches, because if you break them creating my offset breaker bar at least you can get them replaced.

I remember you were thinking of going the torch route. did you have any luck with it? If you wanted to try cold on the plug instead of heat on the head, you could try inverting a can of canned air, but keep your fingers out of the way. It really can cause frostbite. If I were to try, I'd put the socket on and then shoot down the hole to concentrate it on the plug. Of couse, since it is 3F here I dont have a lack of cold.....I think my gas lines are frozen....Im not using a torch on that.

 

Well, now I am down to just the hex part of the spark plug. The rest broke off today. That ____ is in frozen in there.

Thanks for the tip on the air. I may be trying that next. Got some breaker bars today, but it is not working. It won't budge.

I don't have a torch here, and putting a torch to this area would be a high risk venture anyway. There is way too many things that could get damaged.

Thanks for the help and take care, Sharon