Hi,

I took the sparkplugs out of my 2L kombi, and now I can't get two of them back in! The two nearest the rear bumper seem impossible because I can't reach through the small hole in the tinware by hand to get the thread started. Is there some special trick to getting them back in?

Thanks!

I use a good brand spark plug socket make sure the rubber plug is inside it to hold plug in tight and be carefull not to cross thread.

hope this helps

Marc

haha, dont ya just love it ay!, i stripped down a motor and found 6 loose plugs under the tinware, obviously somone must of swore a little.

Andy

oh yeh as marc said..

use a little bit of plastic pipe, or a good socket, with the above mentioned rubber ring.

bit of garden hose, if its soft.

just dont push the socket on too tight as otherwise u will tighten the spark plug go to pull the ratchet and the socket out and the ratchet will come off the socket and u will spend a good 30 minutes trying to pull the bloody thing out(or just re-attatch the spark plug undo this time dont push it in so far )
-M

Yeah don't ya just hate that! My sidchrome socket has a very tight rubber bit in it, it dose get stuck sometime's I just use a pair of multigrips cause the have angled jaws and I gently pull the socket out.
Rob...

I've tried it with a spark-plug socket with a rubber holder, and I've tried it with some rubber hose... still no luck

Ya have to get the angle just right. get a small torch and have a look through the hole, you should be able to visual the thread and get an idea what angle they go in.
Rob...

Mmm, that slightly off angle (both directions isn't it?) takes a while to figure out hey!

I use the spark plug socket with the rubber insert just fine. And I too found old plugs under the tinware.

i have holes in the side of the engine bay...... just use an extension and a spark plug spanner and in they go!!

You need to feel your way.

I always put a drop of oil on the thread before they go in to lubricate the thread. It also helps you feel when the spark plug is seating against the head.

all of the above except a quality magnetic spark plug socket. rubber rings suck... finger for the initial thread. use a 3/8 drive so you dont tighten too much when you apply the ratcheet.
works for me..

Thanks guys I'll try those tricks.

don't put oil on, as it wil carbonize and make them harder to get out, get some proper anti seiaze. there is a copper one and other ones like that designed for high temps.

yea what bix said never put oil on them use anti seize and t4 have a funny angle i found a plug socket and small extn works well just pull out the rubber ring and cut the center out till it just holds the plug and its easy to get off without leaving the socket or ring behind

Well I got them in at last! Using a torch and a small mirror really helped see through the tinware to the hole in the head, and using a bit of rubber air hose on the end of the plugs I was able to position them and get the threads started, then finished them off with the spark-plug tool.

I did use a bit of oil, it was before I read the two posts above, but I'll be rebuilding this motor now so luckily the oil won't matter this time. I was only putting the plugs in to get the motor running so I could drive the Kombi from the front of the house round to the back where I'll drop the motor out. I moved it yesterday and jacked it up, today I'll make a start!