Re: Seized spark plug


"Doki" <mrdoki@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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"shazzbat" <shazzbat@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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"mrcheerful ." <nbkm57@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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"Doki" <mrdoki@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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I've got a spark plug that appears to be seized into the head of my
Golf (MK2, 8V GTI, PB engine). The other 3 came out quite happily with
an 8 inch bar using a surface drive socket. I'm loathe to apply a lot
of force for fear of it shearing off in the head, but the plugs do need
changing as due to standing with less than brilliant valve stem seals,
there's a fair bit of oil fouling.

Is there anything I can do other than keep spraying it with plus gas?
Can I use differential expansion (blow torch or freeze spray)? Would I
be absolutely insane to try a rattle gun? If I recall correctly, it's
an alloy head, and they're not taper fit plugs.

I can also promise you that I won't be grateful for replies informing
me that a) I should've greased the threads when I put them in - it
wasn't me, honest and b) I should've pulled the plugs when I bought the
car, because I bloody well know I should have...

change the ones you can, put a puddle of thin oil (penetrating oil will
just evaporate) around the stuck one and use the car, after a week or
two, with the engine hot try to undo it, preferably use a T bar socket
drive so that the force is a twist rather than a lever, likewise use
half inch drive rather than 3/8 (as 3/8 bars wind up to some extent).
If this fails then you have little choice but to try an air impact gun
(just make sure it is in reverse)


Fortunately, if you can change 3 of the plugs and the 4th one is firing,
then time is on your side. I would do what Mr C says, several times. Also
keep trying it every couple of days. Also try giving it a *little* turn
in the opposite direction, ie tending to tighten it. Then reverse the
ratchet and go for loosen again. I would leave the air tools in the
garage for this problem.

All sorted now. Gave it a good squirt with plusgas on Sunday night, got a
bit more put on this morning, and then lathered it with Loctite freezer
spray or whatever they call it. It was going to be very difficult to use
heat as it'd mean getting a blowtorch next to a load of hoses I'd just
replaced and refilled with new coolant, so I bought the freezer spray
despite thinking it sounded too good to be true. The spark plug undid with
a fairly hard heave on the bar, and all was well again.

I'm not sure leaving 1 of the 4 in would have been an option, as there was
very heavy oil fouling, erosion of the electrode and unburnt petrol
spouting flames out of the exhaust on the overrun...

Glad you got it out Doki, I reckon the moral of this story is a bit of
appropriate grease will save you a headache.


.

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