1994 toyota camry - cant remove sparkplug - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

tomtoyota1961 · 07-27-2010, 11:27 AM

I recently went to the Discount Auto and bought new spark plugs. I tried to remove the old ones and the socket cannot grip the plug to remove it. The extender is long enough but I just could not grip the plug to remove. Any advise? The socket fits the new plugs?

***TrailDust*** · 07-27-2010, 11:29 AM

Hello, and

to Toyota Nation! Let me move your thread over to the Camry forum so the members there can help you out. You may also want to use that forum's search tool to see if you can find info in a past thread addressing your socket issue.

71Corolla · 07-27-2010, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomtoyota1961

I recently went to the Discount Auto and bought new spark plugs.

What kind of plugs did you buy?

Quote:

I tried to remove the old ones and the socket cannot grip the plug to remove it. The extender is long enough but I just could not grip the plug to remove. Any advise? The socket fits the new plugs?

Can you be more specific on what you mean by "the socket cannot grip the plug "? The proper socket will easily grip the spark plug, perhaps the socket you have is not suitable? Does it fit nicely over the replacements you have? Is it possible part of the plug wire boot was left behind and still on the spark plug? Check the other plug wires to make sure.

***BMR*** · 07-27-2010, 11:54 AM

V6 or I4 engine?

I once had this prob on my V6 Camry. One of the plug wires had broken, leaving a little pigtail of wire on the end of the plug so the socket couldn't drop down far enough to engage with the plug's hex body. I had to reach down in the hole with a REALLY long needle nose pliers to pull it off. Of course it was one in the rear bank, so it was a royal PITA to get at!

Take a look down the plug well.

73sport · 07-27-2010, 03:59 PM

maybe its not an actual spark plug socket and doesn;t allow it to settle over the hex part of the plug?

Or it is a spark plug socket and it has something in it? Most spark plug sockets can have the inner core removed but you risk cracking the insulator when using it. Plus the plug falls out and can close the ground wire gap OR damage the electrode if it bounces off the cement!

As said, a chunk of old boot can be sitting in the well and keep you from seating the socket too. Compressed air does wonders!

rusty9 · 07-27-2010, 04:57 PM

i bet the rubber bit on the end of the plug wire is still around the plug. a coat hanger bent into a hook worked for me a few times..in fact, it still in my tool box lol