Spark plugs wont come out
#1
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Spark plugs wont come out
I decided to remove and replace the factory spark plugs on my 07 mustang tonight and have hit a snag. With my torque wrench set at 35 ft/lbs the passenger side plugs broke free easily. However, none of the driver side plugs will budge at that setting
The TSB doesn't explain what to do if the plugs are exceptionally tight. When reading it, I assume the plugs have to be broken free (at least 1/8 turn) before the carb cleaner can do its job right? My question is, do I attempt to move them at a higher torque setting or what????
Thanks for any advice you guys can offer
Mark
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Thanks for any advice you guys can offer
Mark
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Breaking them loose might require a lot of torque, but after that is where the 35lbs comes into play. The initial force to break them free is not because of carbon buildup, it is just the way spark plugs are and that is normal for any engine.
The carbon buildup problem comes into play after the plugs are initially broken free. Don't worry, you won't break the plugs breaking them loose...that won't happen until a few turns later. Just break them loose, then let the carb cleaner do it's thing for a few hours.
Of course, this is just my experience and don't take me for an expert or anything.
The carbon buildup problem comes into play after the plugs are initially broken free. Don't worry, you won't break the plugs breaking them loose...that won't happen until a few turns later. Just break them loose, then let the carb cleaner do it's thing for a few hours.
Of course, this is just my experience and don't take me for an expert or anything.
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Thanks guys. I'm just a little nervous about the whole thing, but that doesn't usually stop me from trying. I'm a little relieved hearing that higher torque can be used to break them free. Though, I can't get over how much easier it was breaking the passenger side plugs loose. I would guess it was about 25 ft/lbs....thats what had me worried most. Those 4 plugs were as consistent in amount of force used when breaking loose as the other 4 were not.
I'm going to go back out and give it another try with a little more torque and see what happens.
thanks again, I really appreciate your advice![Thumb](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/thumb.gif)
Mark
On Edit: The other 4 plugs broke free at <40 ft/lbs of torque just fine
And none of the plugs seem to have much resistance when backing them out to about 1 turn either. I didn't go any further, but I'm thinking that with the low amount of mileage on my car that there aren't many deposits on the shield?? Also see my other thread with regard to the Champion plugs and the center electrode![Doh](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/doh.gif)
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/showthread.php?t=467973
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I'm going to go back out and give it another try with a little more torque and see what happens.
thanks again, I really appreciate your advice
![Thumb](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/thumb.gif)
Mark
On Edit: The other 4 plugs broke free at <40 ft/lbs of torque just fine
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http://forums.bradbarnett.net/showthread.php?t=467973
Last edited by GTMark052; 5/10/08 at 09:47 PM.
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I had bought this one: http://www.amazon.com/OTC-6900-Speci...519115&sr=1-22
But any 9/16 spark plug socket will work. I figured that out after I purchased it. Not only that but consider that if you change to a Champion plug, for example, they use a 5/8 hex nut not a 9/16.
But any 9/16 spark plug socket will work. I figured that out after I purchased it. Not only that but consider that if you change to a Champion plug, for example, they use a 5/8 hex nut not a 9/16.
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#10
Plugs
When I removed the plugs my dealer installed after my disaster with 6 of 8 broken plugs, I found I couldn't break my plugs loose (only 2500 miles or so on them) at cold temp, car sitting over night. I started the engine and let it run maybe 4-5 minutes and shut it off. I let it sit a few minutes and tried again, this time they broke free with just a little muscle. I just warmed things up a bit, but not hot. Worked for me. I threw the junk Motorcraft plugs out and installed the Champion 7989's. Been almost a month now and the Champions are doing just great. I'm never going back to Motorcraft until they come out with a one piece plug.
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When I removed the plugs my dealer installed after my disaster with 6 of 8 broken plugs, I found I couldn't break my plugs loose (only 2500 miles or so on them) at cold temp, car sitting over night. I started the engine and let it run maybe 4-5 minutes and shut it off. I let it sit a few minutes and tried again, this time they broke free with just a little muscle. I just warmed things up a bit, but not hot. Worked for me. I threw the junk Motorcraft plugs out and installed the Champion 7989's. Been almost a month now and the Champions are doing just great. I'm never going back to Motorcraft until they come out with a one piece plug. ![Headbang](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/headbang.gif)
![Headbang](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/headbang.gif)
#13
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It's funny, the first TSB put out by FORD advised to use the slightly warm engine method and the following TSB's stated to use a cold engine![Dunno](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
The passenger side plugs broke free easily, well before 35 ft/lbs of torque, but the drivers side plugs were stubborn at close to 40 ft/lbs. They eventually broke free with no problems though
. After getting a close look at several of the Champion plugs![Nonono](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/nonono.gif)
, I decided not to install them. See my other thread about this sepparate issue
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/showthread.php?t=467973
I ended up cleaning the stock plugs and re-installing them with the nickel anti-seize compound. I'm going "wait it out" for more one piece design plugs to show up on the market, which hopefully will be within the next year or so.
After giving it more thought this afternoon, I've decided to send the Champions back for a refund, which really stinks because I had gotten them for a steal at $4.95 each. (If anyone wants these let me know before I send them back![Stickpoke](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/stickpoke.gif)
). I'm not happy with their quality at all and am not up to gambling as to whether the next set will be ok or not.
![Dunno](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
The passenger side plugs broke free easily, well before 35 ft/lbs of torque, but the drivers side plugs were stubborn at close to 40 ft/lbs. They eventually broke free with no problems though
![Banana](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/banana.gif)
![Nonono](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/nonono.gif)
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![Banghead](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/banghead.gif)
I ended up cleaning the stock plugs and re-installing them with the nickel anti-seize compound. I'm going "wait it out" for more one piece design plugs to show up on the market, which hopefully will be within the next year or so.
After giving it more thought this afternoon, I've decided to send the Champions back for a refund, which really stinks because I had gotten them for a steal at $4.95 each. (If anyone wants these let me know before I send them back
![Stickpoke](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/stickpoke.gif)
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#15
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Summit Racing had the wrong price listed initially and a few of us had gotten 8 plugs for the $4.95 ea price (total $39.60) before they caught up with the error.
If anyone is serious about wanting these, shoot me a PM before I make arrangements to send them back.
If anyone is serious about wanting these, shoot me a PM before I make arrangements to send them back.
#16
I will take the plugs if they are still available.
Thanks,
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Gotta love legal.
#20
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Sorry Surftaz, these plugs are looooong gone.
LOL, my wife always tells me that I horde too many spare car parts, but unfortunately the plugs were not the case. Though my "hording" came in handy after she ran my Mustang into the side of the garage a couple of months ago
LOL, my wife always tells me that I horde too many spare car parts, but unfortunately the plugs were not the case. Though my "hording" came in handy after she ran my Mustang into the side of the garage a couple of months ago
![Banghead](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/banghead.gif)