N1SM0350z Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Yesterday I tried to change my spark plugs I knew where they were how to get ot them etc etc so having taken apart most of the engine bay I got to the plugs and could not get the Bast*d things out they were in there tight, I found a guide that said try heating the car up so I tried that and it did bugger all. Just wondered if anyone had any little tips etc on this. Ive put this on Bimmerforums but unless they want to slag you off or move your post you dont get many replies Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Yesterday I tried to change my spark plugs I knew where they were how to get ot them etc etc so having taken apart most of the engine bay I got to the plugs and could not get the Bast*d things out they were in there tight, I found a guide that said try heating the car up so I tried that and it did bugger all. Just wondered if anyone had any little tips etc on this. Ive put this on Bimmerforums but unless they want to slag you off or move your post you dont get many replies Cheers Spark plugs can sometimes be tight but providing that you have a proper plug socket, extension and bar and you are handy with the tools then they should come loose albeit sometimes with a loud crack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 grow some bigger muscles or try a bigger lever, if your using a socket set, just use a longer socket arm. might need 2 people, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 weetabix! Or Porridge. That's why us Scots are tough as hell! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beavis Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 weetabix! Or Porridge. That's why us Scots are tough as hell! +1 I eat porridge everyday, thats what makes me so tough at the poker table A spot of elbow grease might help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulletMagnet Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 You need the strength of a docker.....pity I live too far away to be of any immediate help... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin W Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 weetabix! Or Porridge. That's why us Scots are tough as hell! It thougth it was the Irn Bru and dep fried mars bars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 weetabix! Or Porridge. That's why us Scots are tough as hell! It thougth it was the Irn Bru and dep fried mars bars Irn Bru too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roast350z Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 You need the strength of a docker.....pity I live too far away to be of any immediate help... A Docker?! isnt docking something that strange men do togther??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N1SM0350z Posted June 11, 2009 Author Share Posted June 11, 2009 I'll have you know I used plenty of elbow greese and Ive been eating plenty of weatabix, I was using a sparkplug tool, but you may aswell use your teeth with the amount of leverage you get with that thing I tried using a socket but didnt have a bit that would fit over the plug Im sure ive got one somewhere but was trying to see if there was a way to do it with out having to go n buy one to be used once, seems like I might have to. It doesnt help that they're down a sort of tunnel. Thanks for all the replies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_Quads Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 you should be able to get a normal socket style one for the spark, then you can use an extension bar to get it down and then a nice big ratchet and you should be able to get a nice bit of torque to undo it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Bimmerforums - there's a blast from the past! Thats where i cut my teeth in the car forum world, right after my first post on vwvortex with my mk3 golf, for which i got flamed to death and never went back! You should try e46fanatics.com too - thats where i went after my e36. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3FIDDYZ Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 You need the strength of a docker.....pity I live too far away to be of any immediate help... What to be able to give one a lift over there? And yes Keith, I hear mark spends lots of time "docking" during the day... :bye: (HIIIIII YAAAA... Oh that was more an Alan Carr Hiiii Yaaa than a Bruce Lee Hi Yaaa!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren-B Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 You need the strength of a docker.....pity I live too far away to be of any immediate help... A Docker?! isnt docking something that strange men do togther??? Oh and to think I was drinking in a hotel bar with him just a few weeks ago, counting my lucky star *** now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N1SM0350z Posted June 12, 2009 Author Share Posted June 12, 2009 Bimmerforums - there's a blast from the past! Thats where i cut my teeth in the car forum world, right after my first post on vwvortex with my mk3 golf, for which i got flamed to death and never went back! You should try e46fanatics.com too - thats where i went after my e36. Lol Cheers bud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N1SM0350z Posted June 12, 2009 Author Share Posted June 12, 2009 you should be able to get a normal socket style one for the spark, then you can use an extension bar to get it down and then a nice big ratchet and you should be able to get a nice bit of torque to undo it Yeh, I used an extension but the bit on the end wasnt deep enough to go over the plug and reach the bottom. (if you know what I mean?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 you should be able to get a normal socket style one for the spark, then you can use an extension bar to get it down and then a nice big ratchet and you should be able to get a nice bit of torque to undo it Yeh, I used an extension but the bit on the end wasnt deep enough to go over the plug and reach the bottom. (if you know what I mean?) Was it a long reach socket you used? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N1SM0350z Posted June 12, 2009 Author Share Posted June 12, 2009 I dont know Im mechanically impared I had a normal socket set and put an extension on the end then I put the right size head(?) on the end but the head bit was only short so wouldnt fit over the plug. dont know if that clarified anythin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 I dont know Im mechanically impared I had a normal socket set and put an extension on the end then I put the right size head(?) on the end but the head bit was only short so wouldnt fit over the plug. dont know if that clarified anythin standard long Sounds like you've used a short socket with an extender. A long socket might give you a better fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N1SM0350z Posted June 12, 2009 Author Share Posted June 12, 2009 Yes I did and it would I wasnt sure if that was the bit you ment, I dont know the names for things justr how to use them cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_Quads Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 You don't want to be using a normal long reach socket you want to use a specific spark plug one. The reason is once you have un-done the spark you need to get it out. A spark plug socket has a rubber section in it to hold onto the spark ...see below Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N1SM0350z Posted June 12, 2009 Author Share Posted June 12, 2009 You don't want to be using a normal long reach socket you want to use a specific spark plug one. The reason is once you have un-done the spark you need to get it out. A spark plug socket has a rubber section in it to hold onto the spark ...see below Thanks! althought I do have a spark plug tool so once loosened could use this to get them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacky Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Don't want to throw a spanner in the works mate but get a proper spark plug socket,it's not uncommon to break the electrode part off using normal sockets,be careful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Ming Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Don't want to throw a spanner in the works mate but get a proper spark plug socket,it's not uncommon to break the electrode part off using normal sockets,be careful! Agreed. Get the proper tool and it is an easy job. There are two sizes of spark plug socket, the smaller one is NORMALLY for motorcycles but not always. they are a couple of quid each from halfords (they make very good tools and their own brand are lifetime guaranteed.) Not sure which one goes with the Zed but get both of 'em and the job will be easy. My old guide is on here somewhere if its of any use. Ming the Toolman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N1SM0350z Posted June 13, 2009 Author Share Posted June 13, 2009 Its all done now cheers for the replies. My neighbour down the road used to be a mechanic so has a very comprehensive aray of tools and had both types of spark plug socket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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