automotive questions

[sao95]

1) can you spray wd-40 into spark-plug holes to loosen them up? 2) if nut on spark-plug breaks off, is there an easy way to get the plug out? tool suggestions are welcome, thanks in advance...

[Aaron_J]

1. Yes, you can spray WD40 on sparkplugs to help loosen them.

2. There are extractors that will remove the rest. I am not sure where you can buy one outside of the major tool distributors like Mac, Matco, and Snap-on.

Autozone maybe, NAPA probably.

edit, I misread your post. Anyway, my advice will hold true if you actually break one.

[kranich]

It happens. Is it cross threaded or is is just too tight? If you are not careful you will have to have the threads recoiled. My advice is to runteh enjine for a few minutes inorder to heat the metal. Then use a six-sided socket and work it back and forth a little at the time until it comes loose. In between- spray WD-40, it is OK. Just dont force it becasue if the plug breaks off it will be hell to get off.

[Aaron_J]

Oh, and use some anti-sieze compund on the threads when you reinstall the plugs. It will prevent any problems in the future.

[sao95]

thanks for help guys, guess i'm making a trip to autozone..

[Gomer]

What is your problem? If you are not careful you can cause MAJOR EXPENSIVE DAMAGE to your engine.

[RedFury]

If anything breaks off and falls into the cylinder and you don't get it out, say goodbye to that piston/valves. Make sure you have all the pieces to that sparkplug when you are finished. None of that stuff is going to get burned up or spit out, it's just going to heat up and break stuff.

[The Real Bingo]

What do you mean by the nut on the spark plug? Do you mean the whole top of the plug? If so, I would go to a professional to professionally tap it out. I wouldnt try it yourself unless you are some kind of machinist, or you may really screw your engine.

[RedFury]

An easy out would take care of that, as long as it isn't completely frozen to the head. Chances are, if the plug can get removed, he's going to need to get a heli coil insert and rethread that head if it is aluminum ( the head ). If it is a cast iron head, there is a good chance the softer metal of the plug will get ripped up and the threads will be okay ( may need to be cleaned up before inserting a new plug ).

......What kind of car are we talking about here anyway?

[The Real Bingo]

If he broke the nut part, which he says he did, I dont see how he can get that out without a tap or a drill press or something. Even then, I wouldnt try that.