spark plug well gunk

[reansor]

I just recently changed my intake manifold and if I had some compressed air I would have blown out all the spark plug well when the coil packs were off, but didn't. I tried to remove the number 7 spark plug and apparently I pushed a bunch of junk down there and can't even get a socket on it now. Any suggestions? I tried shooting some carb & choke cleaner down there, but I think I need at least something long and skinny enough to try to loosen the stuff up.

 

[drdoom]

Do you have a shop vac you can use since you have no air compressor? It's better than nothing, even canned air might do it. But you are right get something to scrape it out a bit.

 

[reansor]

Do you have a shop vac you can use since you have no air compressor? It's better than nothing, even canned air might do it. But you are right get something to scrape it out a bit.

thanks. Yeah the best thing I can think of so far is to slice a hacksaw blade in half the long way so it's narrow enough and thin enough to get down there to at least loosen the stuff up.

 

[drdoom]

Mini screwdriver should be all you need, and some WD 40.

 

[shucker1]

Just be sure to get that stuff out of there before you pull the plug.

Past the plug there is a nice open chamber that hates junk!

 

[XploX]

That would be a lot of gunk and there shouldn't be enough to prevent the socket from seating. Was the coil boot sealed? Are you sure the socket is long enough? Some sockets will allow the tip of the plug to touch the ratchet before reaching the plug.
If it is in fact gunk, use a scratch awl and penetrant to loosen it and blow it out or use a cotton rag around the tip of the awl and work it around the plug.
Don't use paper towels. Pieces can tear off and end up in the chamber when the plug is pulled.
The penetrant will aid in the removal of the plug and help prevent thread damage to the head. Use nickel anti-seize when re-installing the plugs.

 

[reansor]

No, the socket and extensions are plenty long. They pulled the other spark plugs no problem and pulled that same plug when I changed the plugs about a year a year ago. I noticed it right after I pulled the boot and the gunk was around the boot when I pulled it. I should have cleared it before I put the socket down there and jammed the gunk down. Live and learn live and learn, I suppose. Thanks for your advice!

 

[XploX]

Was it a white colored substance?
If it is, it comes from moisture getting past the boot. It's something to do with the dielectric grease, moisture and spark.