i was changing plugs on the tl. did not realize the rubber boot from spark plug socket was stuck. to make matters worse i tried to push in coil. by the time i figure out what i have done. well you get the point. cant get socket back in to pull plug. how do i fix this problem. im an idiot. was in auto drive and not thinking

 

Pull the whole head

 

Pulling the head for a simple piece of rubber from the spark plug socket tool not in the cylinder but in the spark plug well hole. Not pulling their head for that

 

I've done this before and I just put the socket on and take off the spark plug , why can't you do this? Is the rubber boot no longer on the plug ?


http://m.sears.com/craftsman-23-1-2-...p-00941322000P can you use this to take it out

 

For the ever-loving life of me I can't figure out why and yes I did try that

 

So the rubber gasket is on the porcelain portion of the plug? Or is it loose in the tube on one side of the plug? What plug/bank? If it's a plug in bank 2, you should be able to see it with a flashlight. If it's bank 1, you'll can try an inspection mirror or your cell phone camera to view or an inspection cam.

Do you have a pick set?

If the gasket is just loose in the tube, you may be able to get it out with a vacuum. You'll obviously need an attachment that will fit in the tube.

 

No the rubber piece is not loose in the cylinder I have tried to get it off to no avail and forever loving life of me I can't even get the spark plug socket back on to just pull the plug

 

I do have an inspection mirror. So I was able to visualize exactly what's going on.

 

So where is it?

 

the rubber gromet from the socket is still around the plug. i think the the gromet is blocking the socket from grabbing plug to unscrew.

 

yikes. hope you get that sorted out

 

hmmm, the grommet shouldn't have spread over the hex fitting on the plug even if you put the coil back in. Do you have a 6-sided 11/16" socket? You could try that, or maybe even a 3/4" 6-sided socket just to break it loose. Then you'll have to use the grabber tool /magnetic tool to pull it out, unless you have another socket with a grommet.

 

The rubber is in the way and the socket won't fit in? Maybe try taking a long extension. heat the end of it up with a torch til its red hot and burn the rubber to get it in?

 

No. No. Don't do this....


OP, can you get the plug loose?

If so...get it loose. Then use a flexible magnet or a flexible "grabber".

 

I would take a metal hanger, bend very tip and sharpen it and go to town poking and prying and pulling up until you get it.

 

Buy a really good pick set that is long and sturdy. They are cheap enough, like $10 and they are a great tool to have anyways. Make sure it has a 180 degree hook and an obscure hook and you will get it with one of those. Just dig towards the plug so if you destroy anything its just that.

 

Just an update. Problem solved by a mechanic afriend told me about. He used a pair of hemostats. all is good. Again as always thanks in advance to everybody who commented. I know it's good to be able to trust the people who deal with this everyday. I think I'm going to buy a magnetized spark plug socket in for next time , there's no rubber gromets to lose.

 

Why not just torch straight into the tube, make sure you get it hot enough to completely disintegrate all traces of rubber !

 

Nice. Similar thing happened to me once and I used a pair of long needlenose pliars.

 

Yeah i have a long needle nose. Problem is they are 11 inch set. To long as it was bank 1 on the fire wall side.

 

Hemostats, eh? So your mechanic friend is a stoner?

 

Or a surgeon out of the basement...

 

Man, how the hell did you manage to lose the rubber piece in the spark plug socket inside the tube onto the spark plug?! I'm still baffled. I've changed over 20 sets of spark plugs and never a problem like this. You must have to pushed SUPER HARD onto the plug. You don't need to man handle everything on an engine, suspension parts sure. What brand was this spark plug socket?! I have used a cheapo chinese one and never experienced a problem like this.

 

I've had it happen to. I chock it up to shitty socket from O'Reilly

 

The time it happened to me was with my dads old spark plug socket. Way old. Probably used on spark plugs from old 60's and 70's GM cars. He was a Chevy and Pontiac guy.

 

Torch straight in the tube! yes! Melt some aluminum or something while we are at it :-) j/k You can fix almost anything with a torch and some duct tape right?

What the hell is a hemostat? Looks like something a surgeon would use. Anyway, I've added one to my amazon wish list.

 

What I do with the the spark plug socket with rubber inside, is only to hold the spark plug when I slide it into the tube. I thread in the spark plug a few threads then I pull that special socket out. Then I slide in a standard 7/8 socket to thread it in all the way and torque it down. I am guessing you just used that socket and try to torque it with that. If you try to torque down the plug with that socket then it WILL get stuck with the rubber twisting and squeezing on top of the plug.

 

yes my mechanic friend was a stoner many eons ago. like we all were not lol. anyhow, didnt have the stats at the house. their in my trauma bag and o.b kit which is on my truck at station. work stays at work.when i'm done with work,