Stubborn Spark Plug Removal In Progress

Soon2BturbodRS · 02-08-2004, 09:43 PM

Okay, I'm replacing spark plugs on my '99 OBS. I've got both passenger side plugs changed, and the plug closest to the driver (I'm thinking I have plugs for cylinders 1, 3, 4 changed, not sure). Anyways, the last plug is being stubborn.

I am having great difficulting getting the spark plug wire off of the plug. Quick note: I bought the car with 93k miles and has 109k right now... I have no idea when the previous owner (50-ish year old man) did maintenance (no books or records, got the car cheap). The first three plugs look so bad, also...

Any suggestions on getting the plug wire out?

Thanks
-Ben

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Mulder · 02-08-2004, 09:49 PM

If it doesn't come off the plug by gently turning it back and forth to break it loose, chances are it may not come off in one piece. The rubber boot could be cooked onto the plug and/or the connector frozen onto the plug terminal from corrosion.
Unless you're willing to take the chance of disabling your car it would be best to get a new set of wires to have on hand first, sounds like you need them anyway.

Soon2BturbodRS · 02-09-2004, 09:10 PM

Luckily, it came off... I just needed to use more strength

... Anyways, other then that, install/removal went fine.
Thanks
-Ben

Richard L. · 02-10-2004, 05:38 PM

Sometimes pretending the car is not yours will help (that's how most mechanics think anyway). It might be a good idea to use a thin coat of die-electric grease inside the rubber boots to prevent them from sticking to the spark plugs in the future.

SubaruImpreza_power · 02-12-2004, 01:06 AM

Could I tell a Quick Story..

Btw your 99 OBS sounds like a DOHC engine..

When I went to change plugs on my 98 Forester I did not think it would take me 5 Hours to get the friken wire off the Number 3 Cly.. 1 and 2 were easy..

I was pulling all kinds of ways.. I even got onto of the engine and started Pulling upwards on the rubber handle part...

How I finally got the plug loose was getting some Pliers and ripping that sucker off their.. Yea it cost me a new wire set.. but I got it off..

It's a true PITA to change.

Don't they make the DOHC plug wires with a Hard Handle grip for you finger?? That soft rubber junk does nothing for it.

Oh yeah.. I also ended up with 3 Bloody fingers and a Burnt left index finger.

Soon2BturbodRS · 02-12-2004, 02:14 AM

Ow! Mine wasn't that bad in moderation... Just 50 minutes of careful fiddling and 5 minutes of anger-filled full-strength pulls... I guess there is always an optimistic way to look at things... The skin lost from my knuckles will just toughen up my hands more

WRXVII · 02-13-2004, 12:35 AM

be sure to use antiseize....

SubaruImpreza_power · 02-13-2004, 01:34 AM

I was told not to use antiseize on the plugs.. something about it foul's up or some sorts like that.

Richard L. · 02-13-2004, 01:41 AM

It's OK to use anti-seize compound on the plug thread, as long as you don't over do it and don't get any on the last couple of threads before the ground electrode. I like to use 10w-30 synthetic oil instead of anti-seize compound. Synthetic oil is less messy, doesn't foul up the plug, and works just as well.

Soon2BturbodRS · 02-13-2004, 05:39 PM

I applied anti-seize very sparingly as it was super messy...

Anyways, yesterday I realized a secondary plug wire problem - The same stubborn plug wire grommet-thingy (the rubber thing connecting the wire to the end of the plug) is not staying on all the time and causing a misfire. Is there no other way to fix this than new wires? I'm really hurting for $45

Thanks
-Ben

SubaruImpreza_power · 02-14-2004, 12:40 AM

wire grommet-thingy???

What's that?

Soon2BturbodRS · 02-14-2004, 01:31 AM

LOL... I'm great at describing this eh? I'm much more of a visual thinker...

It goes
1. Spark Plug
2. Rubber Spark Plug Wire piece that attaches a metal piece to the top of the spark plug. It is also the rubber thing that is visible when looking down at where the spark plug wire enters the cylinder heads... This is the piece that is not staying in all the time... It is a good 3/4-1" out of place.

If this doesn't help, I'll dig up my Chilson and get the name for it...

-Ben

02-08-2004, 09:43 PM	#1
Soon2BturbodRS Scooby Specialist Member#: 35868 Join Date: Apr 2003 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Pdx, Or Vehicle: 06 Impreza OBS GG6 Corolla GT-S Hachi Broku	Stubborn Spark Plug Removal In Progress (HELP!) Okay, I'm replacing spark plugs on my '99 OBS. I've got both passenger side plugs changed, and the plug closest to the driver (I'm thinking I have plugs for cylinders 1, 3, 4 changed, not sure). Anyways, the last plug is being stubborn. I am having great difficulting getting the spark plug wire off of the plug. Quick note: I bought the car with 93k miles and has 109k right now... I have no idea when the previous owner (50-ish year old man) did maintenance (no books or records, got the car cheap). The first three plugs look so bad, also... Any suggestions on getting the plug wire out? Thanks -Ben * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Spark plug remove + reinstall with FMIC, Tips?	GMTarkin	Factory 2.0L Turbo Powertrain	0	08-25-2005 05:35 PM
Anybody wish to help me with spark plug removal & install?	Xymox	Mid Atlantic Impreza Club -- MAIC	6	07-18-2005 03:13 PM
Spark plug removal! How to get it out?	fowler-04wrx	Service & Maintenance	27	06-04-2005 02:18 PM
'04 WRX Spark Plug Removal	capecod_wrx	Newbies & FAQs	30	08-29-2004 03:10 AM
search down, spark plug removal question	jeddy	Normally Aspirated Powertrain	4	08-31-2001 05:45 PM

02-08-2004, 09:49 PM	#2
Mulder Trust no one Moderator Member#: 11170 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 02 WRX 05 GTO/11 Sonata(!)	If it doesn't come off the plug by gently turning it back and forth to break it loose, chances are it may not come off in one piece. The rubber boot could be cooked onto the plug and/or the connector frozen onto the plug terminal from corrosion. Unless you're willing to take the chance of disabling your car it would be best to get a new set of wires to have on hand first, sounds like you need them anyway.

02-09-2004, 09:10 PM	#3
Soon2BturbodRS Scooby Specialist Member#: 35868 Join Date: Apr 2003 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Pdx, Or Vehicle: 06 Impreza OBS GG6 Corolla GT-S Hachi Broku	Luckily, it came off... I just needed to use more strength ... Anyways, other then that, install/removal went fine. Thanks -Ben

02-10-2004, 05:38 PM	#4
Richard L. Scooby Specialist Member#: 8465 Join Date: Jul 2001 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Puget Sound, WA Vehicle: '00 2.5RS Coupe, AW '93 GMC Typhoon AWD	Sometimes pretending the car is not yours will help (that's how most mechanics think anyway). It might be a good idea to use a thin coat of die-electric grease inside the rubber boots to prevent them from sticking to the spark plugs in the future.

02-12-2004, 01:06 AM	#5
SubaruImpreza_power Scooby Guru Member#: 13910 Join Date: Jan 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Greenwich, CT Vehicle: 1997 Legacy outback blue	Could I tell a Quick Story.. Btw your 99 OBS sounds like a DOHC engine.. When I went to change plugs on my 98 Forester I did not think it would take me 5 Hours to get the friken wire off the Number 3 Cly.. 1 and 2 were easy.. I was pulling all kinds of ways.. I even got onto of the engine and started Pulling upwards on the rubber handle part... How I finally got the plug loose was getting some Pliers and ripping that sucker off their.. Yea it cost me a new wire set.. but I got it off.. It's a true PITA to change. Don't they make the DOHC plug wires with a Hard Handle grip for you finger?? That soft rubber junk does nothing for it. Oh yeah.. I also ended up with 3 Bloody fingers and a Burnt left index finger.

02-12-2004, 02:14 AM	#6
Soon2BturbodRS Scooby Specialist Member#: 35868 Join Date: Apr 2003 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Pdx, Or Vehicle: 06 Impreza OBS GG6 Corolla GT-S Hachi Broku	Ow! Mine wasn't that bad in moderation... Just 50 minutes of careful fiddling and 5 minutes of anger-filled full-strength pulls... I guess there is always an optimistic way to look at things... The skin lost from my knuckles will just toughen up my hands more

02-13-2004, 12:35 AM	#7
WRXVII Scooby Specialist Member#: 15854 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Upstate NY Vehicle: 2002 WRX VF34'd...	be sure to use antiseize....

02-13-2004, 01:34 AM	#8
SubaruImpreza_power Scooby Guru Member#: 13910 Join Date: Jan 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Greenwich, CT Vehicle: 1997 Legacy outback blue	I was told not to use antiseize on the plugs.. something about it foul's up or some sorts like that.

02-13-2004, 01:41 AM	#9
Richard L. Scooby Specialist Member#: 8465 Join Date: Jul 2001 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Puget Sound, WA Vehicle: '00 2.5RS Coupe, AW '93 GMC Typhoon AWD	It's OK to use anti-seize compound on the plug thread, as long as you don't over do it and don't get any on the last couple of threads before the ground electrode. I like to use 10w-30 synthetic oil instead of anti-seize compound. Synthetic oil is less messy, doesn't foul up the plug, and works just as well.

02-13-2004, 05:39 PM	#10
Soon2BturbodRS Scooby Specialist Member#: 35868 Join Date: Apr 2003 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Pdx, Or Vehicle: 06 Impreza OBS GG6 Corolla GT-S Hachi Broku	I applied anti-seize very sparingly as it was super messy... Anyways, yesterday I realized a secondary plug wire problem - The same stubborn plug wire grommet-thingy (the rubber thing connecting the wire to the end of the plug) is not staying on all the time and causing a misfire. Is there no other way to fix this than new wires? I'm really hurting for $45 Thanks -Ben

02-14-2004, 12:40 AM	#11
SubaruImpreza_power Scooby Guru Member#: 13910 Join Date: Jan 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Greenwich, CT Vehicle: 1997 Legacy outback blue	wire grommet-thingy??? What's that?

02-14-2004, 01:31 AM	#12
Soon2BturbodRS Scooby Specialist Member#: 35868 Join Date: Apr 2003 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Pdx, Or Vehicle: 06 Impreza OBS GG6 Corolla GT-S Hachi Broku	LOL... I'm great at describing this eh? I'm much more of a visual thinker... It goes 1. Spark Plug 2. Rubber Spark Plug Wire piece that attaches a metal piece to the top of the spark plug. It is also the rubber thing that is visible when looking down at where the spark plug wire enters the cylinder heads... This is the piece that is not staying in all the time... It is a good 3/4-1" out of place. If this doesn't help, I'll dig up my Chilson and get the name for it... -Ben