Help! - Spark Plug Broke off

TFastle

Cadet
Joined
Jun 29, 2010
Messages
17
Re: Help! - Spark Plug Broke off - UPDATE

Re: Help! - Spark Plug Broke off - UPDATE

Wow, lots of similar problems. I am not real confident at the moment. I have good access to the plug and the easy out I have (#5) is and excellent fit and get a great bite. A 3/8" socket fits on the end and it does not come close to the electrode. I can crank the heck out of it but no movement so far. I keep hitting it with PB Blaster and tapping it but nothing thus far. I may try to locate one of these other penetrating oils or try the ATF/Acetone mixture. While I am able to hold the easy out straight and it's a fairly large one, I am afraid I am going to snap it off. I had been using a 3/8" ratchet but this last time tried a 1/2" and thought that would do the trick but it did not move. Hit it again with PB Blaster, tapped it and will try again later.

Thanks for all of the input and it is nice to hear the success stories. I will keep updating as I go through the process.
 

tractoman

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
370
Re: Help! - Spark Plug Broke off

Break Free is another good penetrating lube. It's used for gun cleaning. I have had good luck on stubborn bolts with it.
 

CVX20SPRINT

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 9, 2009
Messages
213
Re: Help! - Spark Plug Broke off

The stubbies don't snap off like a normal easy-out.They're only about 1 1/2 long.1 inch of hex for your socket and 1/2 inch of tapered spiral.
 

TFastle

Cadet
Joined
Jun 29, 2010
Messages
17
Re: Help! - Spark Plug Broke off - New Mission

Re: Help! - Spark Plug Broke off - New Mission

Unfortunately for me, I broke the easy out off. I had decided I needed to get all plugs successfully pulled as well and #2 and 4 had twisted off. Using tip from above I was able to get #2 out. It took time and was not easy but it came out clean (I was ecstatic) . I thought I would be #4 the same way but the easy out broke off on me (I was MAJOR BUMMED). Don't know if it was too much torque or if I did not hold it as straight as I thought but, I guess at this point it does not matter, it broke off flush with the top of the plug base. I was hoping to get it going for this weekend. I guess I should have ordered the stubby easy outs from Snap On and just been more patient. Live and learn. I will say, all the comments here were very helpful and appreciated. I am now going to start a new thread with regard to pulling the head (1999 3.0 Volvo Penta GS WT series) in a Fourwinns Horizon 170. Thanks again for all the input.

Tim
 

Gromulin

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 5, 2010
Messages
230
Re: Help! - Spark Plug Broke off

Break Free is another good penetrating lube. It's used for gun cleaning. I have had good luck on stubborn bolts with it.

+1 on Break Free CLP (Cleaner, Lubricant, Protectant). The stuff is a miracle in a can, and is what the Armed Forces issue to the troops to keep their weapons clean and functioning. I collect and restore old rifles, and this stuff cuts through some serious gunk, and leaves a film behind that is VERY resistant to corrosion.

I always keep some Kano Kroil around, but you can't buy it retail anymore (at least in CA...) so watch for it a gun shows.

Gonna try that ATF / Acetone mix.

Good luck with your extractions!
 

bajadawg

Cadet
Joined
Jul 10, 2010
Messages
7
Re: Help! - Spark Plug Broke off

I had a spark plug blow out while10 miles out in the Pacific!! no easyout on board and everything but the threads blew out of the motor with loud compressed air escaping strokes scared the crap out of me!!
I had spare plugs so I took the best fitting flat screwdriver and drove it into the remaing spark plug base, vise grip on the screwdriver handle and the old threads came out.
I checked by removing the coil wire and rotated the engine everything sounded good, new plug installed and away we went!!
 
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