Stuck spark plugs - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

JL8Jeff · 11-07-2009, 05:53 PM

Two of the spark plugs on my 88 4Runner seem to be all gummed up and stuck. I was able to get one of them about 1/2 - 3/4 of the way out by spraying with PB Blaster and working it in and out but it still gets real snug at one point and I don't want to strip any threads. The other one only turns about 1/2 turn before it snugs back up. I'm letting it sit overnight with PB Blaster sprayed around the plugs but was wondering if anybody has another solution to get out plugs like this. The truck runs pretty decent so I don't want do any damage trying to force them out as I can live with them being in there. I'm not sure I want to run the engine to heat things up as that may increase the chances of stripping threads. But if that is the secret to getting them loose then I might try it.

LTb1ow · 11-07-2009, 05:55 PM

Torch and heat the head area around the plug up a bit?

JL8Jeff · 11-07-2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTs1ow

Torch and heat the head area around the plug up a bit?

I tried heating around the plug area with a heat gun but it didn't seem to help a whole lot. It's too tight with lots of stuff in the way to try a torch.

wretched73 · 11-07-2009, 05:57 PM

If it can wait I'd say soak it very often with PB for a few days, or use CRC Freeze off, stuff has worked pretty well for me

LTb1ow · 11-07-2009, 05:58 PM

Jeff, did you install these plugs or is there a possibility that the previous owner did cross thread em in?

thunder · 11-07-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTs1ow

Jeff, did you install these plugs or is there a possibility that the previous owner did cross thread em in?

I had that problem on a friends 1990 camry. it didnt end so well

JL8Jeff · 11-07-2009, 06:12 PM

These plugs have been in for a while. The truck has 120K miles on which isn't bad for a 1988 Toyota. I don't think they are cross-threaded, just a lack of anti-sieze may have gummed up the threads. Steel spark plugs in aluminum heads. They might be the original plugs as they are Denso plugs in it and most people don't bother to put them in.

sweetbmxrider · 11-07-2009, 06:57 PM

get Kroil, its ****ing amazing what it can do. it gets inbetween the metals and acts like oil between a crank and main bearing. sounds like you are going to have a bad day though, the threads are probably stripping out and the plug is probably going to break. at least that would happen if i was working on it

BonzoHansen · 11-07-2009, 07:02 PM

Let them soak in PB as much as you can. If that don't work leave them alone.

JL8Jeff · 11-08-2009, 11:22 AM

Got the one plug that was 3/4 of the way out after is soaked overnight. Looks like some gunk baked on the threads was holding it in. The other plug is still putting up a fight big time. I noticed some oil/carbon buildup on the head around that plug and it doesn't feel like it's seating all the way into the head so it may be crossthreaded or at some point in time worked it's way loose and some carbon is baked on the threads. I think I do have a slight exhaust leak when cold and it might be that plug. It still runs pretty darn good but it would be nice to get that out if it's just carbon buildup holding it in.

JL8Jeff · 11-08-2009, 12:57 PM

Mission accomplished, PB Blaster and turning it in and out finally broke it loose. No thread problems. Lots of carbon buildup on the threads which kept it glued into place. They are definitely the original plugs. I went to pull the distributor cap and after snapping one screw off in the distributor housing

I pulled the wires off and found this! Original cap, rotor, plugs. The coil wire was burning it's way into the cap! The rotor is so burned it's amazing it ran so well and passed tailpipe emission's! There are 2 screws that hold the cap on so I'll try to drill out the one that snapped but it should be fine with 2 screws. It's amazing that people don't do any maintenance on a car.

deadtrend1 · 11-08-2009, 01:14 PM

yea i just pulled the plugs out of the LS1. Little anti-sieze could have went a long way. I think they may have been original at 95k miles.

They were a little tight breaking them loose, but not too bad. All good now. Runs smooooth!...

JL8Jeff · 11-08-2009, 05:59 PM

Hmmm, I just found a receipt from the previous owner when he had some work done in 2006 and it lists that they changed the plugs. I seriously doubt they actually changed them because they look like they have a heck of a lot more than 13K miles on them.

SteveR · 11-18-2009, 04:50 AM

The PB Blaster stuff is amazing. It'll get anything loose.