Stuck boots

[BUTCH1]

Hello all, I'm trying to finish out a tune-up I started last night, problem is the back 3 spark plug boots are not cooperating at all, after 8 years they don't want to come out and there's not enough room in a FWD V6 to get any leverage or channel lock's to help, what tool has anyone tried that worked well?. If I cant get 'em off today I just might have to cut the boots and buy new wires. '05/with 82K on it..

 

[Raizinman]

Many vehicles have specific instructions for access or removing the back plugs. I know I have lots of tricks for various makes and models. Can you supply the make and model of the vehicle you are working on? Not all 05 vehicles V6 FWD cars are the same.

 

[BUTCH1]

Many vehicles have specific instructions for access or removing the back plugs. I know I have lots of tricks for various makes and models. Can you supply the make and model of the vehicle you are working on? Not all 05 vehicles V6 FWD cars are the same.

05 Malibu, V6, 3.5L. I can get to the rear plugs, I just cant get enough torque to twist 'em a bit to "break" the seal. Thinking seriously of just cutting them off at this point and buying new wires..

 

[Wingznut]

Get yourself some Spark Plug Wire Pliers.
I have a pair of those, and they work wonders. (If you don't think those specific ones will work, there are plenty of other shapes and sizes.)

 

[BUTCH1]

Get yourself some Spark Plug Wire Pliers.
I have a pair of those, and they work wonders. (If you don't think those specific ones will work, there are plenty of other shapes and sizes.)

Those look nice, hard to tell if there will be enough clearance back there, it's tight, not as bad as the dreaded 3800 but close..

 

[Vetterin]

I've had those pliers for over 30 years and while they do work great on the older cars they can't be used on plugs that are recessed in the heads or have a very tight fit. If you CAN get at your boots you will have to twist them to break them loose. You can also try a little heat if possible to soften them up a bit.

 

[BUTCH1]

I've had those pliers for over 30 years and while they do work great on the older cars they can't be used on plugs that are recessed in the heads or have a very tight fit. If you CAN get at your boots you will have to twist them to break them loose. You can also try a little heat if possible to soften them up a bit.

Yea, it's tight back there, I ordered these http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-51250-Spark-Plug-Puller/dp/B0002STS4E/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1370295013&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=LISLE+51250+Spark+Plug+Boot+Puller, I like the idea that they pull from the bottom of the boot and should help out. I was able to get a set of channel-lock pliers on but not deep enough to get them loose..

 

[Meghan54]

Too bad you've not got enough room to just snap the porcelain insulator off the spark plug, then just remove the insulator when you snake the wire out. I figured you're going to be replacing the spark plug anyway.

 

[BUTCH1]

Too bad you've not got enough room to just snap the porcelain insulator off the spark plug, then just remove the insulator when you snake the wire out. I figured you're going to be replacing the spark plug anyway.

That might work, but I'd be afraid of a small piece of the porcelain would wind up in the spark plug well and get in the cylinder when I unscrewed the plug..