Removing tough spark plug

28 posts · joined Jul 2005 · 19 Jul 2005, 5:26 pm

#387298

First project stripping an old engine and the spark plug in No.1 is stuck hard. Can I heat the Alum. head to assist in removal? any other tips?

11CAB If ya got it....Baja it

4,674 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 19 Jul 2005, 7:19 pm

#387361

Get some Rost Off and spray it onto the base of the plug, let it soak for a little while and try to turn it.Slowly move the plug backwards and forwards, and spray onto the base at regular intervals. Once it is out, coat the new plugs with anti-seize when you put them in.

65 Meyers Manx
68 Country Buggy (KO 367)
68 Country Buggy (KO 669)
68 Country Buggy (KO 789)
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76 Baja Kombi Twincab

1500S Custom Title Time!

1,418 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 19 Jul 2005, 10:01 pm

#387442

Use a piece of tube which clears the ceramic part but contacts the hex part of the plug. A few gentle taps on the tube will generally break the stuck thread and allow the WD40 or Nutcracker to penetrate along the thread easier. Then continue as previous post.

Purple Martin Fahrvergnugen

913 posts · joined Feb 2003 · 20 Jul 2005, 9:42 am

#387537

11CAB wrote:...coat the new plugs with anti-seize when you put them in.

Can anti-seize interfere with the necessary electrical conductivity between plug and head?

1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper

Larry_Love_ Casual Dubber

28 posts · joined Jul 2005 · 20 Jul 2005, 11:09 am

#387563

👍Thanks guys will give it a go..

BiX Veteran Volks Folk

2,499 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 20 Jul 2005, 12:22 pm

#387584

I use a copper anti seaize and it seems to work fine, as it conducts and also it will not form carbon deposits.

I have no sympathy for my car, only the wallet that pays for it!
Go hard or go home!!!!

Old Dubber Wolfsburg Wizard

605 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 20 Jul 2005, 5:48 pm

#387742

Larry,

I have worked on some really old stuff in my time - OK cut the jokes!
If the plug is really stuck, and you wish to save the threads in the aluminum head. Then you will have to drill the plug out to almost the thread size and then run a tap down. But, by all means try bashing, heating, twisting and swearing first!!

Grahame
visit my club site at www.vwdcqinc.org.au

General_Failure Use your head, don't abuse it!

1,036 posts · joined Jun 2004 · 21 Jul 2005, 1:30 pm

#388091

Yo may need to rethread anyway. Sparkplugs don't tend to get too badly jammed unless there was an awful lot of contamination or the plug has been crossthreaded. I hate crossthreaded sparkplugs 🙁

If at first you don't succeed. Build, build again.
Vehicle: 1975 Special order delivery walkthrough panel based LCA pop-top camper. Motor: Nippon 1.8L Single port Wasserboxer, Transmission: 3 rib 002.