Like the subject says, what do you guys and girls use to undo your spark plugs. My ratchet gets caught on just about everything. I end up using a universal attachment to it but it still is pretty awkward. I suppose there is some special VW tool that I don't have...

I managed to use a ratchet. Needed a small extension for the deep plugs (2 and 4 I think). I've got an 1800 kombi, though, but still had to do some fiddling to get stuff in place.

I often find it esier to just remove some tinware, depens what you are working on though..

Andy

I'm working on a 1600tp beetle. I can do it with the ratchet but it takes a fair amount of time and a lot of swearing I was thinking of getting something welded up specially...

It is handy if you have 2 short extensions - gives it a bit of bend.

If you are a butcher like me - cut a couple of holes in the inner guard and use a 10"and 2"extension and get to it through the side wall

Another thing that REALLY helps is to drive the hinge pins out of the engine lid and replace then with either R clips or old dip sticks.
Then you can take the lid off and work down from the top. This helps a real lot.

Makes up for the inconvienience of loosing the spring

I use Fred the mechanic.
I've never crossed a thread or skinned a knuckle yet.

with my dual carbs I cut a hole in each inner guard. But I used to find on the old 1600tp, use a pices of garden hose to get them started and in to finger tight, then try using a 1/4 ich socket and play around with extensions/joints etc, until you get the combo that works!!!

Swivel head 3/8" drive ratchet with a short wobble type extension. The first time I did sparkplugs on a beetle took me about 1.5 hours and I couldn't believe how hard it was, luckily it gets heaps easier with practice.

Just a ratchet with extension
piece of piss, can't see what the hassle is

Same, just a 3/8 Ratchet with an extension and a normal type plug spanner.

It does help though if you make sure the rubber is inside the socket to hold onto the plug so it doesn't fall down inside the engine tinware. Mine is long gone, so I use a piece of fuel hose with the little threaded bit off an old spark plug. Loosen the plug with a ratchet, but before it completely unthreads, screw the hose on to lift the plug out.

I use a Snap On magnetic plug socket (3/8) and a flexible extension for the front plugs and a 2 inch extension for the rears. Never found it difficult???

i prefer a little stubby ratchet with a 3 inch wobbly extension. its just the right size to fit in palm of the hand. but then again ive spent most of my life workiing on cars.

Well I just changed my plugs using a 3/8th ratchet with a wobby extension for the back cylinders. It was sweet! Pity it is my brother's ratchet... I may have to "borrow" it for a while.

Thanks for all your good advice people

Jack the engine up on one side under the heater box (with a block of wood between jack & heater box).This will make it a bit easier for you.

I just use a plug spanner you get free when you buy a new motorcross bike, rightangled plug spanner. it works perfect and i have a few so i never have to hunt for it:thumb


steff.....................

Hi

Hazet make a special plug socket for VWs, it makes life much easier. The cheap racthet and socket sets that have a swiveling handle work well the beetle engine bay.

1302Steve

a tube spanner with a ring spanner on the other end hex in lets you turn a little at a time in a confined space.

I use a double ended VW tube spanner that takes the fan belt off, takes the wheel studs off and takes the spark plugs out..... Very handy, I think it came with a type 3 variant, I had many years ago... was supplied with the car...
All the early beetles used to have one in their tool kit..
I think a 1302S I also had years ago had one of these tools...

Its written in some VW manuals that You should use anti seize on the threads of spark plugs in VW engines due to the difference in heat expansion between the steel spark plug and the alloy case... I always do...

Lee..

good tip Lee could save a lot of tears later.

I just use a normal spark plug removeing socket attached to a uni-joint extensionn then onto my ratchet - 1/4", 1/2".. it dont make a difference with me... takes me no time to take out all my plugs - and I keep all the skin on my knuckles

i just grab one of the indian kids from the sweat shop next door to come and poke his little fingers inside and get em' undone. he does it for free, beats sewing soccer balls.........