Stuck Spark Plugs

[Cdubneeddeal]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
Instead of WD40, try this stuff called PB Blaster. Works 10000x better than WD. Spray it around where the plug is threaded into the head. And, like others have said, wait for the car to be cold.

Wait wait..are you sure you want to use PB for that? When he pulls the plugs it might get into the chamber. I would suggest WD over PB for spark plugs. PB for suspension and outer engine components.

 

[Gillbot]

pb blaster and a big wrench

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: yellowfiero

Originally posted by: AntMan530
Theyve been in there for a good 10K. I usually change my plugs every three oil changes, so theyre about due for it. Im try the wd40 and wait.

They are super tight in there!!!

3 oil changes???? Wow, I change mine every 75,000 miles - Bosch platinums - they seem to work very well (275K on my transport minivan).

think my civic manual suggests 30k ..

you're nuts

pretty sure it says that.

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=363590

uh, yeah, for severe service.

nope its for regular service too. its 30k or 2yr, whichever is first.

as for platinum plugs.. aren't they basically all platinum plugs these days? 2 bucks isn't exactly premium stuff heh

 

[bmacd]

pb blaster + cold engine + patience ftw

-=bmacd=-

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
Instead of WD40, try this stuff called PB Blaster. Works 10000x better than WD. Spray it around where the plug is threaded into the head. And, like others have said, wait for the car to be cold.

Wait wait..are you sure you want to use PB for that? When he pulls the plugs it might get into the chamber. I would suggest WD over PB for spark plugs. PB for suspension and outer engine components.

PB is good for that - in fact, one trick that sometimes works to free up a stuck motor is to drop a good amount of PB in the spark plug holes (so that it'll get on top of the cylinders & rings) and let it sit. It won't hurt anything.

Now if gritty dirt gets in, on the other hand... :Q OP, make sure you clean off the outside of those plugs really well BEFORE you remove them, to make sure no dirt and other crap gets into your motor when you pull them out.

 

[gsethi]

wow.....changing spark plugs every 3 oil changes (~15k miles). Thats too soon. I change them in between 50k-60k miles on my old 96 Maxima and the car runs fine without any problems. I think you are spending some unneeded extra $$$ on your car.

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: yellowfiero

Originally posted by: AntMan530
Theyve been in there for a good 10K. I usually change my plugs every three oil changes, so theyre about due for it. Im try the wd40 and wait.

They are super tight in there!!!

3 oil changes???? Wow, I change mine every 75,000 miles - Bosch platinums - they seem to work very well (275K on my transport minivan).

think my civic manual suggests 30k ..

you're nuts

pretty sure it says that.

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=363590

uh, yeah, for severe service.

nope its for regular service too. its 30k or 2yr, whichever is first.

as for platinum plugs.. aren't they basically all platinum plugs these days? 2 bucks isn't exactly premium stuff heh

No, there's copper (which is very very good, much better than platinum, but have a very short usable lifespan) and iridium/platinum.

 

[AntMan530]

Originally posted by: gsethi
wow.....changing spark plugs every 3 oil changes (~15k miles). Thats too soon. I change them in between 50k-60k miles on my old 96 Maxima and the car runs fine without any problems. I think you are spending some unneeded extra $$$ on your car.

yeah....still learning..i was misinformed....ill stop changing it so often

so i have another question...my car overheated a while back. i drove it for an unknown length of time before i pulled over and waited til it cool down then poured water and drove back home.....does that experience have any effect on my spark plugs being seized?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
think my civic manual suggests 30k ..

you're nuts

No, that's the right interval for copper-core plugs. Platinums can last three times that long, but standard copper-core plugs are dead soldiers after about 30,000 miles.

ZV

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: AntMan530

Originally posted by: gsethi
wow.....changing spark plugs every 3 oil changes (~15k miles). Thats too soon. I change them in between 50k-60k miles on my old 96 Maxima and the car runs fine without any problems. I think you are spending some unneeded extra $$$ on your car.

yeah....still learning..i was misinformed....ill stop changing it so often

so i have another question...my car overheated a while back. i drove it for an unknown length of time before i pulled over and waited til it cool down then poured water and drove back home.....does that experience have any effect on my spark plugs being seized?

It's possible they would have been stuck anyways....but that certainly didn't help.

 

[Eli]

They shouldn't be stuck after 10k miles.

Yes, the overheat could have something to do with it. How tight are you torquing them down when you replace them? Sounds like you may be doing it too tight.

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
think my civic manual suggests 30k ..

you're nuts

No, that's the right interval for copper-core plugs. Platinums can last three times that long, but standard copper-core plugs are dead soldiers after about 30,000 miles.

ZV

On forced induction or very high compression motors, copper can be killed in 1/2 of that time, sometimes even less.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: Eli
They shouldn't be stuck after 10k miles.

Yes, the overheat could have something to do with it. How tight are you torquing them down when you replace them? Sounds like you may be doing it too tight.

yea to tighten grab head of wrench in fist and do it that way. don't use the handle

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
think my civic manual suggests 30k ..

you're nuts

No, that's the right interval for copper-core plugs. Platinums can last three times that long, but standard copper-core plugs are dead soldiers after about 30,000 miles.

ZV

On forced induction or very high compression motors, copper can be killed in 1/2 of that time, sometimes even less.

This is true but it gives our cars new life.

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: InlineFive

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
think my civic manual suggests 30k ..

you're nuts

No, that's the right interval for copper-core plugs. Platinums can last three times that long, but standard copper-core plugs are dead soldiers after about 30,000 miles.

ZV

On forced induction or very high compression motors, copper can be killed in 1/2 of that time, sometimes even less.

This is true but it gives our cars new life.

Yeah, almost always the ideal choice for performance vehicles. A second (though inferior) choice is the Denso Iridium Power plugs, with .4mm diameter electrode and u-grooved ground. It's expensive, and won't be as good as copper, but it'll last longer, and is a heck of a lot better than platinum.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: InlineFive

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
think my civic manual suggests 30k ..

you're nuts

No, that's the right interval for copper-core plugs. Platinums can last three times that long, but standard copper-core plugs are dead soldiers after about 30,000 miles.

ZV

On forced induction or very high compression motors, copper can be killed in 1/2 of that time, sometimes even less.

This is true but it gives our cars new life.

Yeah, almost always the ideal choice for performance vehicles. A second (though inferior) choice is the Denso Iridium Power plugs, with .4mm diameter electrode and u-grooved ground. It's expensive, and won't be as good as copper, but it'll last longer, and is a heck of a lot better than platinum.

Well, yeah. But most people aren't running forced induction engines.

Definitely can't put platinum plugs in the 951 with it running 15 PSI. And can if I'm pushing hard, copper plugs are 20,000 mile parts at best, generally 15,000 or less.

I figured that I'd keep it simple.

ZV

 

[CycloWizard]

Originally posted by: AntMan530
Theyve been in there for a good 10K. I usually change my plugs every three oil changes, so theyre about due for it. Im try the wd40 and wait.

They are super tight in there!!!

That's way too often. You could check them that often and replace them when they're visibly worn, but there's no reason to do it that often unless they're exhibiting visible problems. In the case of a warped cylinder head (resulting from your overheating incident), you might see some white residue as a result of burning coolant. If this is the case, you need a new cylinder head ASAP or you'll be burning oil as fast as gasoline pretty soon. This seems to be one of those things that gets worse over time and you'll burn a lot of oil/gas really quick if you don't fix it.

Also, when you put the plugs in, just put some engine oil on the threading. I've never had to use anti-seize compound, since this seems to work just fine for me. This is one of the few things I'd use a torque wrench for as well, as it's definitely worth the extra couple minutes to make sure you're not ruining your cylinder head by breaking off the plugs.

 

[Kelvrick]

Had just the opposite of your problem today. Was driving to work to finish up some things and damn, tons of noise. Thought it was a flat tire, but didn't feel the right motions for a flat so I pull over and pop the hood.

One of my spark plugs popped out.