Gentlemen, I'll try to keep this brief:

Basically have a stuck Spark Plug Socket in the Spark Plug Tube of the Head. Intention was to do a typical change of the plugs so I used all the 'typical' tools. I was mistaken. I know now it needed to be the 12 point 14mm 'thin-walled' socket which is now in my possession but doesn't help the current situation.

The question is how can I get this socket out without taking the whole Head off?

Here's what I have already tried:
- Torching the walls of the Head and the Socket
- Winching a close hanger in the top of the socket to pull
- Locking Socket Extension Arms (all 3 of which broke)
- WD40 to losen the walls (the socket now spins)
- pry it loose with a screwdriver
(I haven't tried the upside down can of 'dust-off' to contract the metal)

As of now, the Valve Cover is off and my brain is fried. All the forums I have tried to search were no help. Any wisdom out there that can be shed on this? It's my daily driver and have been out it now for about 2 weeks now!

Cheers to you all

 

I used needle nose pliers and was able to wiggle it out when mine got stuck.

 

I think he means that the socket is not letting go of the spark plug, have you tried turning your car upside down? That was a joke, what you need is one of those long spring that has claws that shoot out to grab things just like this. I feel you pain because recently I performed a compression test and the adapter unscrewed from the hose for the gauge, had to fish it out using a Steelman (10150A) 16" Pro Bend-A-Light. It's one tough tool and the light at its tip can take some serious abuse, be careful cause when it's lit for more than 30 seconds it will burn your skin in a heartbeat!

I jammed this into the adapter to get it out, it's bendable in any shape (like my wife). I dare you to try and harm this tool, you won't be able to.

 

This is an interesting problem on your hands. If it is not too deep into the tube you can try using a long bottom tap that is able to cut some threads into the 3/8 socket. Once it has a really good "bite" start slowly pulling upwards while you turn the tap. Good luck...

 

How about compressed air blown into the opening at the end of the socket?

 

I had long ago the same problem,I forced the plug that broke and a lot of costs came to me.Let a specialist do his job.

 

Is it caught on the head port or wedged on the plug ? If it's caught on the head dry ice held against the socket for a bit May give you the clearance you need to wiggle it out. If it's wedged on the plug maybe a little heat ( big solder gun) and vice grips on the socket will help.

 

A bit of silicone lube sprayed around the socket might help with either of the above

 

Thanks for all those quick responses.

The socket is caught on the Head (about an inch away from the spark plug).

Tried the 'Dust-Off icing' this morning and it didn't budge.

Kaneguy: Hadn't thought of a long bottom tap. That may just work. Will need to pick one up.

Any other critiques out there? I can't be the only one that's experienced this (or maybe i am (!))

Cheers

 

Well, it sounds like you might be getting desperate. So here is my suggestion, use it at your peril.

Take the strongest super glue out there and slather it over a socket extension and shove it in there to set up. Now you have a long piece of metal to try various means to pull on.

 

See if you can find a large easy out. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/371107250064?lpid=82

 

I would be looking for a strong hook - to reach into the socket's hole and grab from inside/underneath the lip then pull up. It needs to be STRONG so you don't bend the hook b4 you pop the socket free.. It needs a strong handle - a T handle would be ideal. If you could get TWO and have them pull opposite sides to ensure a STRAIGHT pull ... better


Something like the second down here



I've seen exactly what I'm envisioning sold as a body work 'dent puller' .. you would drill a hole in the dent and slip the tool's tip in, then you could pull the dent up (not to be confused with the 'slide' type dent puller tho .. same concept but kinder and gentler!)


Worst case I'd make what I needed like this ... but maybe you don't have a welder in your garage ....


OR how about making an inside grab gear puller out of a long molly bolt - the kind with spring ears that you can sick down into the socket - a bolt and a big washer would allow you to use the screw torque to exert a lot of up pull . . . but if you socket is 1/4 inch drive you have a small hole to work with


But in the end I'd try to grab the socket from inside, even going all the way down to the base - I'm envisioning the socket got stuck b4 actually grabbing the plug.


I would not waste my time with super glue as IME it won't stick to a polished socket surface ... but red lock tight? Maybe?


Remember - every time you try to stick something into or onto that socket from the top is pushing it farther DOWN . . .


I did this to a Toyota a few years back, but was able to use a hook and get it out without TOO much effort.

 

I have stuck chrome bumpers together with the latest superglue max gels,... but if you can figure out some way to do the hooks I would try that first. Someone also mentioned tapping out the socket to make threads and then screwing a long bolt in there, maybe ---

 

Appreciate all the Feedback.

Conclusion: Submitted my pride and took it to a shop. They equally had a difficult time pulling it out. Ultimately, they welded a good sized bolt upside to the socket, then screwed in a bar to the bolt to pull it loose. They never felt something so stuck either.

Head is a little scared on the inside of the Spark Plug Tube but nothing that will affect drivability.

Cheers to you all.

 

Any chance you can post a picture of what they did? I am not getting it.

///Rich

 

I think I get it:
They flipped a bolt upside down and welded it to the visible part of the socket. Then they threaded a nut down on the bolt with a piece of bar steel with a hole cut out for the bolt pressing down on the top of the engine. This slowly with every turn of the nut, pulled the socket up and out.

Good welding job, that was tricky.

 

Glad to hear of the great news!

 

Just for kicks, here's a few photos to show the misery in action

[IMG]<a href="http://s36.photobucket.com/user/kingstonco11/media/IMG_0510JPG_zpsf08e609d.jpeg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e41/kingstonco11/IMG_0510JPG_zpsf08e609d.jpeg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0510JPG_zpsf08e609d.jpeg"/></a>[/IMG]

[IMG]<a href="http://s36.photobucket.com/user/kingstonco11/media/IMG_0511JPG_zpsc8f570fc.jpeg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e41/kingstonco11/IMG_0511JPG_zpsc8f570fc.jpeg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0511JPG_zpsc8f570fc.jpeg"/></a>[/IMG]

 

I was going to recommend buying a locking extension. That would snap into the socket and not let go.

 

OK. Now I have the picture. But, the spark plug is still in there? Why not just remove it by turning counter clockwise? Also, what does the socket lock under?

But at least I see how they did the welding.

///Rich

 

pictures did not display for me


I rehung them

 

i did the same thing to my GF's r56, i had to use a wobble extension and i spent 45 min thrashing on it moving it back and forth till it gave up, had a good sweat going at that point and deserved a beer! glad you gots your fixed!

 

Same thing happened to me when I swapped to colder plugs. A few light taps and some PB blaster let it go!!!

 

I always put a copper paste grease on the sparks before I put them back, the same thing for the wheel.