1988 GM 5L, spark plugs too tight to get out....

[hoytheld]

Hello all,

while recently doing a tune up, I wanted to replace the plugs.... well, the first on I go to ( starboard side front) is tight as hell.... to the point I didn’t want to torque any more. I didn’t try any other one. Is there a trick of the trade ?

* tried on a completely cold engine

 

[alldodge]

No trick, they either loosen or they don't.
Use a 6 point socket and a breaker bar. You could try warming the motor up to see if that helps

 

[Lou C]

These are taper seat plugs not with gaskets. Try spraying penetrating oil in the spark plug wells to dissolve any corrosion give it a few days to soak in then warm up the engine & try again. I had to do the same thing to get an O2 sensor out of the down pipe on our ‘98 Jeep...

 

[Kingmt01]

A mix of 75% ATF III with 25% gasoline on a cold engine makes the best penetrating fluid. You can thin oil the same way to get it into tight spots.
A small impact hitting fast will help move the penetrating fluid & break up corrosion better then a big hard hitting impact.

 

[Scott Danforth]

the only tip to add....change the plugs more often

 

[Lou C]

As a habit I've taken mine out each year to check for water in the cyls, and I've never had trouble getting them out even with the old cyl heads and 100% salt water use for the past 15+ years...

 

[hoytheld]

No trick, they either loosen or they don't.
Use a 6 point socket and a breaker bar. You could try warming the motor up to see if that helps

I’m afraid with a breaker bar, they will snap off in the head...

 

[Lou C]

I would let whatever penetrating oil you use really soak in, re apply over several days then warm up the engine first before trying again. This works with removing stuck O2 sensors on automotive engines. I was able to remove a 19 year old O2 sensor on our ‘98 Jeep 4.0 this way. Came right out would not budge on a cold engine.