Spark Plug Trouble!!

[Baronvonpoo]

So here's what happened: I just put a new engine in my 98 Camry 4-cyl. Everything is going great. My wife takes it to work and all of a sudden, the radiator springs a big leak and spews all of the coolant out. My wife was unable to stop immediately, so she was forced to run it without coolant for a few minutes.

I have replaced the radiator and all of the hoses. I started her up, and she was unable to stay at idle without help from my right foot. I decide to check the plugs. As I am pulling up on the boot, it comes loose with the only the wire! This leaves me with a dilemma. I have nothing to grab onto to remove the boot. The other plugs are the same way. I am unable to pull the boots off. I tried grabbing a hold of the boot with a pair of pliers, but the plastic cracked under the strain leaving me with even less to grab onto.

I'm thinking the lack of coolant = extreme heat = seized plugs. the plug chambers are very deep, so I have no way to get at them when the boots are stuck on.

Any ideas?

[Baronvonpoo]

Well, it seems that my thinking was correct. A stroke of luck came my way, and the porcelain on one plug snapped in two while I was futzing around with it and I was able to get that plug free.

It looks like the plastic boots have melted around the plugs.... making things that much more difficult for me.

I could still use some suggestions if you have any...

[Mike Gerber]

Have you tried reaching the boots with an extra long needle nose pliers? You could also try bending a hanger in to a j hook shape and see if you can hook the boot and get it off, even if it brakes up in pieces. If it does break up, use a shop vac to remove the pieces before removing the plugs. If neither of those suggestions are an option, you will have to remove the cam cover (valve cover) and possibly the spark plug tubes to reach them.

Mike

[Baronvonpoo]

Well, the boots have melted to the point where there is no free space in between them and the wall of the tubes. Getting a hanger under them is not an option.

So the spark plug tubes can be removed once the valve cover is off? For some reason I assumed the opposite. That would be an easier solution for me, though I dread the prospect with it being a new engine.

If I do venture down this road, do the tubes come off with the plugs attached as one piece? What is involved after the cover is off?

Thanks for the reply! I'm in a strange situation on this one.

[xtremeskier97]

The valve cover is easy to remove on the 4cyl. 3 large nuts on the top of the valve cover. Then just pry gently around until it comes up. When you go to remove the tubes, be VERY careful not to let anything fall into the engine if the plugs are broken. Id keep a shop vac handy if I were you.

[Nad1370]

4 30mm nuts are holding the valve cover down. One for each cylinder. You could use channel lock to get the nuts out to.
Need a pipe wrench or something like this to take the plug tube out.
Put a little silicone sealant around the tube threads when installing it back in.
You might as well seal up all 4 tubes since your in there already.

[Baronvonpoo]

Thanks for the info. The tubes themselves just unscrew? Any suggestions on the "sealant" I should use when reattaching the tubes?

Thanks for all the assistance. I'll keep you posted on how things progress.

[unkit]

This thread may help you:

How-To Guide: Removing and Painting a Valve Cover - 5SFE -- 56K warned Lots of Pics

[Baronvonpoo]

Well, the valve cover is off, but before I try anything else, what's the best way to get a hold of the tubes? I tried a pair of pliers, but i was digging into the tubes when trying to turn them. I don't want any metal pieces to come off and end up in the engine.
"Need a pipe wrench or something like this to take the plug tube out."

What exactly is THAT? I'm willing to buy a part to make things easier, but I need to know what it is.....

Thanks

[Baronvonpoo]

I tracked it down..... Spark Plug Tube Puller. $63?? Jeez