Spark plug removal

[David JAMES]

Hi, has anyone faced a problem with spark plug removal? My local OPC told me when my 986 went in for its last service a few weeks back that the spark plugs were very tight (probably arising from their over exuberance at the last change a couple of years back). They now tell me having re-booked the car in for the change that they are so tight they have to get a "specialist" in to remove them, which seems a bit extreme but at least they are paying to sort the problem - I thought a bit of penetrating oil would do the trick. Anyway, is this likely to result in any lasting damage or will things be Ok once the job is done?

Thanks

David

 

[Glyn]

A specialist to remove them? - Its very very rare for spark plugs to corrode in place, yes they are tight but as the threads are "protected" within the cylinder head and only the elecrode sticks through into the combustion chamber it could only be carbon around the very inner part of the plug.

They are a little difficult to get at and usually you can only get in with a 3/8 drive socket set with a universal joint and a couple of short extensions, not all the plugs are so difficult to do - are they saying all the plugs are stuck?
I guess you dont have much choice and they need to come out- so, they need to bite the bullet and apply sufficient pressure to remove them, however, I cant see them absorbing the cost of engaging another person to remove them as its not their fault they are corroded in.
I suspect the garage in question has little knowledge of Porsche, not an indy or OPC and therefore not familiar with the car.

As for lasting damage, well that depends on what happens when they apply sufficient force to remove them, The end of the day they have to come out so enough force used will unscrew them but as the head is alloy it may damage the threads and then the head will have to come off to either repair the thread (if its possible) or a replacement head fitted.

I expect they will come out without damage - once they get them started, i have never heard of a head being damaged taking a plug out - though i do accept it is a remote possibility.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

He does say it's an OPC that has said this - 1st line.

I agree though - odd!

 

[Glyn]

Mark, reread the original post - OK so its OPC and they admit they were over exuberant at the last service - well sit back and smile - they admit its their fault - so no matter what happens they will absorb the cost and should provide you a courtesy car whilst they sort their mess out.

Still dont understand why they need a "specialist" to get the plugs out - they the OPC are the specialists and i have never heard of a spark plug remover specialist - bet they dont get much work though.

 

[David JAMES]

Brief update. I gather 5 out 6 plugs were removed after a little persuasion and after running the engine for a while to get it hot but there is apparently a stubborn one which remains and that will require some 'specialist' effort to get out. There was originally some talk of a helicoil insert in case the threads were damaged but hopefully that may not be necessary now, except maybe for the last one. Due to be finally sorted tomorrow - it's only taken them a week!

 

[Dangerous dave]

spark plugs have a simple crush washer on and once its crushed flat, its really only a nip up 38 drive tight.. when i worked in a garage i had to get the small torque wrench out and im sure it was only 12nm oe so..

 

[David JAMES]

All sorted - the last plug came out eventually. Good news was the OPC dealt with the matter totally FOC, in part due to the plugs issue being down to them but also due to their tardiness in dealing with the matter. So, pleased with the outcome and the attitude of the service guys in recognising their side of the problem.