HELP! one of my sparkplugs is stuck! I just got some denso plugs and I as I working I noticed one of the plugs is stuck. If I turn the racket really hard it moves, but it doesnt get any loser....Can anyone help me?

ewwww....I am going to shut my eyes and back away like I never read this.



Good luck, I wish I actually could offer some advice.

ok I used wd40 and then tried to force out the plug the threading is now stuck inside the engine bay. I am sooo screwd....Can anyone give me any pointers on what to do next?

Pull the head and have a helicoil installed. Or replace the head. It is possible that you might be able to use athread chaser to clean up the threads, but you risk dropping shavings into the combustion chamber.

Sorry to hear it.

Good luck.

P.s. this may be premature and you may get better advice from someone else. I hope it turns out ok for you.

I feel your pain on this... it sounds like a very bad situation. Before you do anything else, you might want to see if the engine will run. Perhaps you can drive it to a good mechanic who can professionally deal with this problem.

If the car doesn't run properly:

This sounds pointless, but I suggest that you start with the basics. Make sure that your socket is properly engaging the spark plug. Sorry if this makes you sound like an idiot, but make sure you are trying to remove the plug instead of tighten it. If you're reaching over from the wrong side you could have your directions screwed up. (I apologize in advance for this beginner's pointer, but I had to say it.) Make sure that your ratchet is working properly and isn't somehow hung up on something else. Beg, borrow or buy a better ratchet and/or socket if you think that will help.

If you are following all the basics properly, it sure sounds like the threads are damaged in the cylinder head and probably on the spark plug as well. Try forcing the plug to the side as you attempt to thread it off with the ratchet. This sometimes helps me remove a recalcitrant bolt. Since it sounds like the plug and threads are toast, don't worry too much about breaking the plug in the process.

If nothing works, see if you have a tool that you can use to drill out the plug. You will have to break the plug off in order to drill it. Drilling this out is going to be difficult to impossible with normal homeowner tools, as the plugs on Subarus don't have a lot of space around them. You may want to check a Home Depot for a right-angle drilling attachment or possibly even rent something from a tool rental place.

Assuming the threads are bad, you will have to drill out all of the destroyed plug and re-thread the spark plug hole. You will probably have to drill the hole out a little bigger than stock, then tap it out for a TimeCerts or Helicoil insert. (I think that's what they're called.) I believe these products have kits to restore spark plug holes but I have never used one and am not personally familiar with them.

If you can still drive the car, taking it to a professional is what I recommend. Actually, warming up the engine may help you get this loose and you might want to try that first.

Good luck!

--Bob

I did a quick Web search for TimeCerts but did not quickly find company info. However, the manufacturer of Heli-Coil inserts is at www.emhart.com/products/helicoil.html. I looked around a little bit and the site looks only marginally helpful. You may have to log in to get detailed information.

--Bob

Remove the head and take it to a machine shop...

Thank you all for your time and your advice. I was turing the socket the correct way only an idiot would tighten it. (no offence taken bob =)) I just got my car back from the mechanic today. It doesn't go when I gas it hard. He said its the TPS sensor. So now I'm looking around for one. Thanks again everyone! =D

Randy