stubborn spark plug removal

raquette · Post by **raquette** » 04 Jul 2019, 21:01

Wow what a problem removing 1 of the 5 sparks plugs on a 2007 xc 70 turbo.

vehicle has 230k, I replaced the plugs with bosche at 120k. middle cylinder plug would loosen 1 -2 turns and stop, to a point I would possible break the plug using 1/2 inch drive ratchet. tried liquid wrench and pb blaster and soaking the spark plug cavity for 5 days, tighten and loosen, tighten and loosen. must have done this 100 times over this 5 days.

then i tried spraying a carburetor cleaner the last day and it worked by loosening the crud in the threads.

I used never seize on the plugs previously and now. new plug went in fine. be patient if this happens to you, and use carb cleaner.

Post by **abscate** » 05 Jul 2019, 04:07

I’ve never been a fan boy of 100k lifetime plugs for this reason

On my hard running T5 I put Bosch coppers in once a year and do a compression check too.

On my 10-15k a year “ normal cars “ I stick with the 30k interval

I use anti seize, permatex on mine

tardcart · Post by **tardcart** » 05 Jul 2019, 05:07

anti sieze only works on hot exhaust bolts. Its designed for the grease to evaporate and leave a film of aluminum or ss flakes as a layered between the rust. for spark plugs, rub oil on the threads and remove them every two years. I see anti seize used everywhere now where grease is better like wheel hubs.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 05 Jul 2019, 22:22

tardcart wrote: 05 Jul 2019, 05:07 anti sieze only works on hot exhaust bolts. Its designed for the grease to evaporate and leave a film of aluminum or ss flakes as a layered between the rust. for spark plugs, rub oil on the threads and remove them every two years. I see anti seize used everywhere now where grease is better like wheel hubs.

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Have not in the last 30 years owned a car long enough to install a second set of plugs

but have always used anti-seize. Do use them on lug nuts also with favorable results although I'm only skimming the threads lest it affects the torquing (over tightening). I remember saving a cross threaded lug nut by using the anti-seize. Can't remember if I replaced it later but it worked to get the car back on the road.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 05 Jul 2019, 22:27

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If there is a stuck up nut, regardless what it is securing you can always try to tighten it a little more and usually that will free it up.