spark plug seizure!?

[Auslander RML]

Since it was a nice, cool spring day up here, I decided I would get an easy start to some routine maintainance and replace my plugs with some Bosch platinums. Get under the hood with my removal tool, and I have ony plug that will not move! My biggest worry is that the previous owner has cross-threaded the damn thing. What would somebody suppose would be the best way to get that out? Is there a lubricant I can use to get that out? (doesn't help much that it is in the 1st cylinder)

 

[Big Daddy]

I am wondering if it is not cross threaded but someone failed to use anitseize? I am not sure what to do but lubricating the threads cannot hurt. Be gentle and allow the lubricant to work if it will. Anyone else?

 

[jonnyz16]

There's alot of spray lubes out there you can use as the Big daddy said. Go to your napa or whatever and by penetrating oil and let it soak for a bit . should work . Did you let the engine cool down before doing it ?

 

[Auslander RML]

The engine had been sitting with the bay open for about 1/2 hr after it was parked, to let the exhaust manifold cool. Would you suppose a non flammable (like silicone spray) work better than something like wd-40?

 

[Ghost]

If you want a good penetrating spray try PB Blaster (not sure how flammable). When something is hard to loosen sometimes applying SLIGHT tightening pressure then trying to loosen it a few times often works.

 

[JUS]

Auslander Rml

Use Penetrating Oil With The Soluble Lubricant It Cuts Rust&
Carbon. Keep Us Informed Of The Outcome.

Jus-n-5

 

[Auslander RML]

Will do. I will probably try the blaster, since I have had a couple people suggest it to me. We'll see how things work out tomorrow...

 

[vlad]

Good luck!

 

[epj3]

Let it cool for more than half an hour -- my exhaust manifold which is SMALLER than yours takes a good 3 hours to cool enough to not get completely burnt on... i'd say try it tomorrow morning and use a LONG wrench -- IE... get more torque on that sucker.

Use a breaker bar or something, a good foot long socket wrench should work too, and make sure you use a real spark plug tool, not the crappy one in the tool kit in your trunk.

 

[wood_e]

Let it cool for more than half an hour -- my exhaust manifold which is SMALLER than yours takes a good 3 hours to cool enough to not get completely burnt on... i'd say try it tomorrow morning and use a LONG wrench -- IE... get more torque on that sucker.

Use a breaker bar or something, a good foot long socket wrench should work too, and make sure you use a real spark plug tool, not the crappy one in the tool kit in your trunk.

Exactly right! You should let it cool for at least 3 hours... Trying to take them out when hot is just asking for trouble...

 

[Auslander RML]

Use a breaker bar or something, a good foot long socket wrench should work too, and make sure you use a real spark plug tool, not the crappy one in the tool kit in your trunk.

Hey, how'd you know?

 

[epj3]

Hey, how'd you know?

Haha becuase i was curious as to If it worked -- and i couldnt get mine out so i just used the socket that I had out already. I just used it out of curiousity.

 

[Ghost]

... use a LONG wrench -- IE... get more torque on that sucker.

Use a breaker bar or something, a good foot long socket wrench should work too, and make sure you use a real spark plug tool, not the crappy one in the tool kit in your trunk.

Good advise, as well as ESP.

The tools in the trunk should be used for emergency only. BMW’s aren’t known for their tools. If you’re going to work on your car have a good set of mechanics tools. Preferably six point sockets, they help keep from stripping.

 

[Auslander RML]

Well, just finshed up the job...about 1 minute with the PB blaster and that plug came right out. Amazing stuff! And using one of my socket wrenches didn't hurt either. Probably the best 1/2 hour of work I have done to my car since I have had it, those platinum 2s do make a difference in the idle especially. Thanks for the advice everybody!!

 

[Big Daddy]

Now you did use antiseize on the new plugs right?

 

[nadroj]

BMW’s aren’t known for their tools.

haha i would hope not

 

[Auslander RML]

Now you did use antiseize on the new plugs right?

Oh, absoloutely!! From the looks of the plugs I just took out, whomever last had the car may have had those plugs in there for a while. It was loooong overdue.

 

[Big Daddy]

Glad everything worked out!

 

[Ben]

congrats on gettin the plug out, but does anyone know how well the platinums work in bimmers? i tried them in my 944 and they were gone in 5k. the electrodes in the middle are too small and they burned away into the insulator.

 

[epj3]

I never used anti-sieze... i just put fresh motor oil all over the threads and never had a problem.

BTW - Did you use a torque wrench to put the plugs back in? You can get yourself in TONS of trouble if you over torque it. I think the torque specificiation is 21 lb-ft.