changing spark plugs with hot engine=!$@%

[noid]

I drove my car about twenty minutes to get new spark plugs from Napa. Not thinking about hot metal expanding, I proceed to use a thick walled socket that fits in the hole with about a .2cm to spare. I turn the socket and notice it's stuck. I have an "easy-out" kit for this type of situation ,but the top of the spark plug is preventing me from hooking the socket.I can't just wait for it to cool down being that the hole will get smaller as well as the socket when cooled. Solution... Weld an extension to the socket then pull it out ,but I couldn't weld on the chrome extension. Instead I welded the screw driver onto the socket then used a slideing hammer to tap it up. 2 hours later after making sure all of the metal ,from trying to weld on chrome, was out of the cylinder I completed the spark plug change with thin walled. Got some good pics.

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[97redgsx]

A: thats a really random first post

B: its happened before... http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218926&highlight=socket+stuck

all in all, sounds like a good time, and welcome!

 

[92awddsm]

First off, always remember not to change plugs on a hot aluminum head. Even with the correct socket, you could still pull the threads out of the head due to different expansion properties between the aluminum head and steel sparkplug. Second, always use antiseize on the plugs when reinstalling them. This will reduce the chance of stripping the threads on the next plug change.

 

[NATAS]

Hahaha! A+ would read again. Yes, that was a retarded thing to do, but we've all done stupid shit when working on our cars. I think welding a screwdriver to it was a great idea . At least you posted with it already figured out rather than coming on here whining about your problem and expecting someone else to figure it out for you.

 

[iwannagofast89]

holy crap that sux i had that same thing kinda happen to me with taking off lug nuts....i was pi$$&d i could still use the impact gun though

 

[Defiant]

Coming next week: Music Lessons

 

[noid]

^^

I know it's a random first post but I never had anything to post about and i thought this would be interesting

I took spark plugs back out and used antiseize thanks for the advice and responses.

 

[blcknspo0ln]

Welcome to the site.

Oh and please read the avatar rules. Only pictures of your car are allowed as avatar.

Your Avatar is displayed under your username whenever you post in the forums. Your Avatar must contain a photo of your DSM, and only your DSM. If your Avatar does not contain a DSM or a photo of some part of your DSM it will be removed

 

[leet]

Well, you're still better off than my coworker that decided to leave a center punch on one of the cylinders after a top end overhaul at work a few months ago.

He destroyed 6 freshly rebuilt heads in the span of a minute. 1700 dollars a piece. Not to mention the completely destroyed liner which was next to impossible to get out of the block. Oh, and a few 32 pound pistons. Oops.

A+ for creativity on getting the socket back out though

 

[Defiant]

Good job making them think he did it!

 

[absolute_DSM]

Only a DSMer would take pics along the way of something like this.

"Man, wait till I post this on the forums!"

Welcome. Good creativity

 

[nc90awd]

This happened to me before except the socket wasnt stuck as bad. I got it out without welding but it still took 2 hrs.

 

[toybreaker]

This happened to me before except the socket wasnt stuck as bad. I got it out without welding but it still took 2 hrs.

The major tool manufacturers make a positive locking, quick release extension that may cut down on the "creative" socket removal techniques.