Spark Plug Removal Problems

[Hercules Q. Einstein]

I was in the middle of removing the rear 3 plugs from my GPX
when disaster struck.
My plug removal tool broke so I decided to use the Spark Plug tool that
comes with socket sets.

Yes, you've probably guessed, the spark plug removal socket
is now stuck at the bottom of the spark plug well.

I've obviously tried attaching the socket bar and jiggling about,
long nose pliers and anything else that I've been able the to think of
so far.

My latest brainwave involves an old HT Lead and superglue (groan).

Anyone else stupid enough to have done this before?
Any help, please???

[pergau]

have you tried using the long nose pliers but not to grab the spark plug tool but if you expand them when the hard is inside the plug tool it and keep the pressure on it so it presses against the inside of the tool you might be able to lift it out.

I hope that makes sense

[Hercules Q. Einstein]

Tried that but the spark plug well just seems too tight to get the socket back out.

[kevinod]

It got in there so the hole must be big enough to come back out... with a bit of pressure pulling it out, can you tap it with something?

[kevinod]

is the tool completely in the hole or is part of it sticking up out of the hole?

[Hercules Q. Einstein]

It's at the bottom of the hole on top of the spark plug.
With the socket bar on it, it will rise about 5mm or so then it gets stuck and the socket bar comes out.
It's like there's a little ridge inside the spark plug well that starts halfway up the hole.

The socket was very tight going in to begin with.
I stupidly banged it in with the palm of my hand thinking it would twist back out. But alas, no.

[Hercules Q. Einstein]

For the benefit of anyone who has this misfortune befal them in the future.

I got it sorted.
After removing Rocker Cover and spending a few minutes staring dumbly
at those beautiful Cam Shafts I asked a mechanic to take a look.
He said he could either stick a HT lead onto the old plug that was stuck under the jammed socket or else the whole Head would have to come out.

I got a little flash of inspiration at this low point.

I grabbed a cordless drill with 5.5 HSS bit and held it on full power all the time rubbing the bit against the sides of the "spark plug well" in order to file it down a bit.
After a few minutes of this I used a long nose pliers to grip the tip of the spark plug that was protruding through the socket and pulled like hell.

You can imagine my elation when after about 7 hours and 20 hairbrain schemes out popped my 16mm spark plug socket...

[Muad_dib77]

Brilliant - nice job!

[Bernard]

is the tool completely in the hole or is part of it sticking up out of the hole?

-sorry.

[pergau]

I'm glad that you got it sorted but I hope that you cleaned out all of that swarf to make sure that it didn't fall into the engine. that wouldn't be healthy.

[mcgon1979]

I'm glad that you got it sorted but I hope that you cleaned out all of that swarf to make sure that it didn't fall into the engine. that wouldn't be healthy.

good point. I'd say a compressed air gun would be best for that. like the one dentists use, blow it all out. Otherwsie a good hard drive will sent her through. LOL (joke)