+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Well, I did a thing...broken sparkplug

  1. #1
    TC-RT's Avatar
    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Collingswood, NJ
    Posts
    433

    Default Well, I did a thing...broken sparkplug

    Well, I was installing new plugs since I have the exhaust manifolds removed for header install.

    I started by removing the passenger side rear plug. Old plug came out easy. Installed new plug with some anti seize and attempted to torque to 30 ft lbs (my manual stated this torque).

    Spark plug broke off with the threaded portion in the engine.

    Had I read the torque value on the new spark plug box, I would have realized 15 to 18 ft lbs would have been sufficient.

    At least I know the broken plug isnt seized since its new with anti seize.

    I guess I will be looking for a special tool to extract the broken plug.

    At least the other 7 plugs are installed and torqued correctly.

    Any suggestions are helpful.

    Thanks.
    Terry

  2. #2
    niebs's Avatar
    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    North DE
    Posts
    1,761

    Default

    regular ez kit should do it. Did you try pliers or anything yet?
    Sometimes you get lucky and when a bolt brraks from over torque, the part left in the threads snap back and loosens up.

  3. #3
    BIGROB's Avatar
    I killed Goose

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Thibodaux, Louisiana
    Posts
    874

    Default

    Man I've been there before. They don't call me Big Rob for nothing.
    My big gorilla hands have snapped plenty of bolts. I only install spark plugs with a stubby 1/4 ratchet now

    I've had the best luck with straight flute type extractors.
    This explains it pretty well.

    https://www.championautoparts.com/Te...park-Plug.html

    Project Maverick. I feel the need, the need for speed

  4. #4
    blackknight's Avatar
    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    wapato, wa
    Posts
    6,913

    Default

    So if the threaded part is still in the head, that means you can still put a socket over it right? And I usually just let it hit the head and 1/4 turn, plus I have aluminum heads

  5. #5
    TC-RT's Avatar
    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Collingswood, NJ
    Posts
    433

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BIGROB View Post
    Man I've been there before. They don't call me Big Rob for nothing.
    My big gorilla hands have snapped plenty of bolts. I only install spark plugs with a stubby 1/4 ratchet now

    I've had the best luck with straight flute type extractors.
    This explains it pretty well.

    https://www.championautoparts.com/Te...park-Plug.html
    Thanks Big Rob. Thats a good website explaining it all in detail how to remove a broken plug. Thanks for the laugh about your using a stubby 1/4" ratchet

  6. #6
    TC-RT's Avatar
    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Collingswood, NJ
    Posts
    433

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by niebs View Post
    regular ez kit should do it. Did you try pliers or anything yet?
    Sometimes you get lucky and when a bolt brraks from over torque, the part left in the threads snap back and loosens up.
    I need a good ez out kit. Thanks for the info. This is the first time busting a plug off in the engine. Do you have a suggested brand you recommend?

  7. #7
    TC-RT's Avatar
    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Collingswood, NJ
    Posts
    433

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by blackknight View Post
    So if the threaded part is still in the head, that means you can still put a socket over it right? And I usually just let it hit the head and 1/4 turn, plus I have aluminum heads
    It broke at the bottom of the hex, so only the threaded portion was in the engine.

    I did get it out using a method I DO NOT recommend as I could have potentially had to remove the head if it failed: see below.

    1. Since the plug I broke was new and had ample anti seize, I knew the plug was not seized in the engine. (I used the wrong torque setting and broke it)

    2. Since I did not have an ez out, I needed something I could lightly tap into the broken portion of the plug and would grip the plug.

    3. I found that a T40 Torx Bit was just just slightly larger then the plug I needed to remove.

    4. I light tapped the Torx bit into the broken plug until I felt it was grabbing sufficiently.

    5. I took my 3/8 ratchet and very slowly began loosening the broken plug and it backed out.

    Again, I DO NOT endorse this method; however since the plug was just installed I knew it was not seized.

    20210628_163705.jpg

  8. #8
    blackknight's Avatar
    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    wapato, wa
    Posts
    6,913

    Default

    Yea that works, I broke my coolant temp sensor on my Jeep and I tried that but the brass was too soft, so I had to use one of these flutes
    B25FEB9D-1EC9-4DA2-AE13-3B8B43F154D9.jpg

  9. #9
    BIGROB's Avatar
    I killed Goose

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Thibodaux, Louisiana
    Posts
    874

    Default

    Hey if it works it ain't stupid.

    I have a set of those goofy universal sockets with the square teeth that I use as stubborn stud or broken bolt extractors. Find one thats just the right size and hammer it on. Works like a charm.

    Project Maverick. I feel the need, the need for speed

  10. #10
    niebs's Avatar
    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    North DE
    Posts
    1,761

    Default

    Nice! I was thinking of suggesting that but it definitely has potential of going south fast haha. Glad you got it out

  11. #11
    TC-RT's Avatar
    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Collingswood, NJ
    Posts
    433

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by niebs View Post
    Nice! I was thinking of suggesting that but it definitely has potential of going south fast haha. Glad you got it out
    The potential for head removal was definitely in the back of my mind.

+ Reply to Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may post new threads
  • You may post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •