spark plug help

[chris01]

Hi guys, iv given the car a bit of a service, oil, filters, gearbox oil etc so thought i would do spark plugs aswell...i thought wrong :( dont know if its me or a massive lack of tools but the buggers wont budge..i managed to snap my ratchet :( and then spent half an hour retrieving my socket from the hole :( any tips/ advice would be grateful, whats the best tools for the job?? I havent even got to the rear ones yet...any links for tools/tips etc would be grateful :) thanks in advance

Oh yeah..its a 180 cheers

[petet16]

Try them with a hot engine, and maybe give them a dousing of plus gas.

For tools, I use a plug socket, a short extension (3" or 4"), a u/j, another extension, and a power bar, this is for the rear bank, a bit of copper slip on the new plugs will stop them seizing in the future, I can't remember what the torque figure is for them, but it's not that high, another tip when you fit the new ones is to slide a length of plastic pipe over the porcelain to get them started by hand, much less chance of cross threading them this way

[petet16]

Extensions
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-Impact-Extension-Bar-Set-4pc-1-2-Sq-Drive-/160996565451?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item257c24a1cb

u/j
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-2-DRIVE-UNIVERSAL-JOINT-for-socket-set-uj-wobble-wobbly-/251316997085?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3a83a90bdd

Breaker bar
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AK730-BRAND-NEW-SEALEY-1-2-SQUARE-DRIVE-600MM-BREAKER-BAR-/261195358769?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3cd074e231

[stamford]

Over the years I've always invested in the Snap-On magnetic and rubber lined plug sockets. Seized spark plugs can be a bum twitchy experience and yes I have had the odd one or three snap.

[andys1981]

ive always wanted to do this stuff but scared,incase i bust one trying to get them out,think it needs a wee service,not scared to try though,usually something goes wrong

[chris01]

Cheers for the advice and links i will have another crack at it soon

[chris01]

ive always wanted to do this stuff but scared,incase i bust one trying to get them out,think it needs a wee service,not scared to try though,usually something goes wrong

Everyones gotta learn somewhere..im bloody useless but i manage...just lol

[andys1981]

Everyones gotta learn somewhere..im bloody useless but i manage...just lol

yip just hate it when u realise you havent got the tool for the job,but fell out with my local mechanic/well he fell out with me,so in a way saves me cash on labour

[stamford]

Cheers for the advice and links i will have another crack at it soon

Or perhaps not crack it! ;)

Sometimes you feel like it's going to break, but infact 99% of the time the joint cracks and the plug unscrews fine. Nothing to lose by squirting some Plusgas in there beforehand.

[tcb 180]

Unless you got the rubber insert in the socket then you have to be very careful to keep the socket straight or else you will snap them. As above tips. Once they are out of the threads I always use a sturdy length on plastic pipe and push it down over top of plug so you can pull them out of recess. Same method to get new ones started too.

[chris01]

Out of interest what should i expect to pay if i were to let a garage do it??

[petet16]

No idea of price, but don't take any bs about the rear bank being hard to do, or needing the plenum removed.

[Rossy]

Could I ask what type of plugs are you using to replace ?? was thinking of doing this myself but wondered what plugs other folk recommend ... was told by someone the plugs were for life in the 180 !!!!! Cheers ..

[petet16]

They're not for life, but do have a high mileage between changes.

[chris01]

I will find the link for the ones im using when i get home. I had a quote of £60 by one garage thats why i decided to service it myself lol and yes they said inlet mani off lol

[petet16]

Amateurs lol

[chris01]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270967349615?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

these are the plugs im using....or should I say trying to use lol

[Ritchy]

Good ratchet(halfords do suitable sets) and definatly give the car a run first to get it nice and warm, and hopefully they should come out, hopefully shouldn't snap as they aren't conical seated plugs and have crush washers, the old Ka enduro engine was notorios for breaking plugs on removal, I always get the car roasting then they come out, not had one break on me yet touch wood.