spark plug removal (don't laugh at me)

[MyBeatGSX]

Alright this is my dumbest question yet, so I'll start by apologizing for all my previous dumb questions (please bare with the new guy, I know it sucks but I'll learn quickly)....

My spark plug socket doesn't seem to want to fit all the way down the plug well and actually seat on the plug. The wells are clean and the socket is just a regular craftsman 3/8" drive spark plug socket. Am I overlooking something simple or are the wells so tight that I need a special socket or are these plugs a non-normal size? It kinda feels like the insulation in the socket in not fitting over the plug, but I don't want to use an uninsulated socket, break the ceramic, and have bigger problems.

Now you can laugh.

 

[siceclipse]

come to stamford and ill change em for ya!

grab a new plug and make sure it fits into the socket you are using. there are 2 different sized spark plug sockets you may have bought a small one.

 

[JessesTalon]

Shine a flash light down the hole and see if the spark plug was put in and crossthreaded, if it was then possibly your spark plug tool wouldn't be able to fit around it.

Did you use a long enough extension or the right size spark plug tool?

 

[MyBeatGSX]

Ok time to get some new plugs to see if they fit that socket... if not I'll be down there this weekend.

 

[hiimt0ny]

You need a 13/16 socket for your spark plugs. You are using the wrong socket, that is all.

 

[Daveed]

You need a spark plug socket with a thinner wall. The typical cheap ones have a thick wall to make up for the poor quality (weak) metal they used to make the socket. The craftsman one I have won't fit...the wall is just to thick to be able to get the socket all the way to the bottom of the spark plug "hole". Maybe try a snap on or a mac.

I was using a stamped steel one and on my third plug last night the "socket" rounded it self out. Now I have to buy a good thin wall spark plug socket on my way home.

 

[ArticNemesis]

You need a 13/16 socket for your spark plugs. You are using the wrong socket, that is all.

That would be correct.. Spark plugs come in 13/16" & 3/8". Using the right size socket always helps.

 

[GILZTSIAWD]

You need a spark plug socket with a thinner wall. The typical cheap ones have a thick wall to make up for the poor quality (weak) metal they used to make the socket. The craftsman one I have won't fit...the wall is just to thick to be able to get the socket all the way to the bottom of the spark plug "hole". Maybe try a snap on or a mac.

I was using a stamped steel one and on my third plug last night the "socket" rounded it self out. Now I have to buy a good thin wall spark plug socket on my way home.

My craftsman fits fine, and I don't think they would make their sockets cheap as you state when they put a lifetime warranty on them and replace them no questions asked.

To the poster, just get the right sized socket, its not a one size fits all thing with spark plug sockets. 13/16 for our cars.

 

[1GTSiAWD]

Curious as it may be...everything else on our cars is metric except for the spark plugs. Everyone who has told of the wrong size being used is absolutely right. It is a 13/16" (the same as your stock lug nuts). Just changed my plugs today.

 

[Defiant]

Um... I don't think there are any metric spark plugs, are there?

 

[siceclipse]

Hey screw you hiimt0ny, I was here first!
If anyone is getting good reputation points its me!

 

[Daveed]

I couldn't find a store with a decent quality socket on the way home so I just took mine and used a 4 inch grinder to thin it down so it would work. Worked great and fit all the way into the sparkplug well.

As for the craftsman one I have...it has now been modified and if it breaks they probably won't exchange it. No biggie.

In regards to the cheaper quality equals a need for a thicker wall on the socket...I believe the thicker craftsman is just as strong as the thinner mac or snapon types. However, if the craftsman one was slimmed down I don't think it would be quite as strong as the snapon or mac type.

PS The snapon socket was $24 online! The craftsman was $3.99 online! I can deal with an unreturnable modified craftsman due to the low replacement cost.

EDIT: Maybe I have an OLD socket with a thicker wall than the new ones...who knows, it was given to me with a bunch of other old miscellaneous tools.

 

[tc1155]

Yea if you used the right socket you deff wouldnt have a problem with removeing them or intalling them..

 

[Daveed]

Um... I don't think there are any metric spark plugs, are there?

I've never heard of any. However, a 21mm socket can be used in place of a 13/16" if necessary. (13/16"=20.6375mm)

 

[MyBeatGSX]

I are dumb.

Thanks again for the help. I had no idea plug sockets came in 2 sizes or thick and thin wall. I guess you learn something new every day. fyi, you both gets rep points.

 

[Defiant]

As for the craftsman one I have...it has now been modified and if it breaks they probably won't exchange it. No biggie.

Yeah, they will.

 

[MILITISINVICTUS]

This thread just helped me out. Sometimes the "obvious" stuff can be hard to find..

 

[KeithL322]

Yup, it's 13/16 size socket, if you dont want to buy an actual spark plug socket, just use a normal 13/16 socket, and when u go to pull them out, use the 3/8 adapter you have, they will poop in to it, then just lift em out same with putting them in, use the 3/8 spark plug socket, to make sure you dont cross thread them, then tighten them down with the 13/16th i just changed mine a little while and found that out too, so weird

 

[92redman]

Um... I don't think there are any metric spark plugs, are there?

I find it interesting that the shell of spark plugs have a standard hex size(13/16 or 3/8) but the threads are metric(14mm). So in that sense, most plugs are metric. Must be some sort of SAE attempt at a "melting pot".

 

[gsxtacy]

I have never seen/changed a 3/8" plug. I thought ALL spark plugs were either 13/16 or "5/8" like GM plugs.

I have found the best tool in the whole world for DSM spark plug tubes. Go to your local autozone, pep boys, advance auto parts etc... and find a 13/16 swivel head T- Handle spark plug wrench. Might be $7 bucks. You can loosen them easily with it, and only a gorilla could over tighten a plug with this t-handle spark plug wrench.

gsxtacy