1990 celica GT,spark wires/plugs/tube issues, help please(UPDATED)
I own a 1990 toyota celica GT.
And im having trouble with the spark plugs wires and tubes.
Well first of all, the car is not running, im just doing some basic repairs to move things along.
The previous owner tried to pull out a couple of the spark wires, well he broke the actually wire off from the plug and now there is half of the plastic boot stuck down inside the tube, along with the plug. The other two wires, are in the tubes still, but stuck, i cant seem to figure out how to get them out, without making the same mistake he did.
My question is, how do i go about fixing this problem? I tried using need nose pliers to get the plastic boots that are stuck in the tubes out, but no luck, still in there good. Tried using a hanger as a hook to pull it up, no luck either. I know toyota makes a special tool to make out the tubes(they unscrew). Could i use this to take the tubes out after i have the valve cover off, to clean out the plastic an THEN take the plugs out? or no?
i need a lot of help, this is my project car, an this is an obstacle for me
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Update
well, no luck getting the tubes out, or the two remaing spark wires that are stuck in the last two tubes. Tried that double nut technique to unscrew the tubes, didnt work at all. Im wondering if they make a strap wrench small enough to take the tubes out??? dont want to buy that $60 tool if i dont have to.
I DID however have some luck in attempting to unscrew one of the spark wires that is still stuck in the tube, an to my suprise, it worked, to an extent. The spark wire came reallly loose, it moves inside the tube, but still wont come out. Tried twisting more, but didnt show any more progress. These plastic spark wires are the dumbest thing ever made.
Can anyone offer any more help/advice? this is puzzling me on how to remove these last two plastic wires, an then remove these tubes. If i can get these two spark wires out, ill just take the hit an buy the tube removal tool. Any advice on how to get these out???
Last edited by Freshnicity; 12-01-2008 at 04:26 PM.
You might get more suggestion if we can see what you have to deal with.
Have you try using compress air between the boot and the plug?
N.E.O.
I took pics but cant find the cable to my camera to upload them.
But no, i havent tried using compressed air.
The only thing is, the bottom half of the plastic boot, is stuck down in that tube, making it impossible to remove the plug, and those pieces arnt coming out of the tube. I want to know if its safe to remove the spark tube, with the plugs still in there.
And does ANYONE know how to remove these spark wires/boots from the tube without them breaking like that? im desperate right now lol
You can pull the tubes out, but you may also have broken pieces inside the engine when you try remove the broken wires.
Have you try twisting the wires a few times before pulling them out?
N.E.O.
Yes ive tried twisting them before pulling on them, and they do twist, but still do not come out. Whats safe to pour down the tube to loosen them up? motor oil? or no?
And yeah i deff dont want those pieces inside the engine, how can i avoid this??
What is the diameter of the piece still left in there? You can try using a screw driver to break them up in the tube and vacuum them out, just tap on the plastic part of it carefully, as long as you don't break the plug, it will keep things within the tube.
You can spray any kind of lubricant in there, it will just stay within the tube, just blow it out or vacuum it out before pulling the plug.
What is the diameter of the piece still left in there? You can try using a screw driver to break them up in the tube and vacuum them out, just tap on the plastic part of it carefully, as long as you don't break the plug, it will keep things within the tube.
You can spray any kind of lubricant in there, it will just stay within the tube, just blow it out or vacuum it out before pulling the plug.
N.E.O.
Hey thanks for all your help.
And yeah the metal part of the plug already broke off(the metal long piece but the plug is still in there) that ok? and yeah ive been bustin it up, but no luck yet. I need a real small vacuum hose, mine wont fit into the tube.
thanks again, still working on it.
So is it safe to take the tube out, with the plug still in there or no?
It is safe to take out the tube if you need to, put rages or paper towels around the area to catch the broken pieces that may fly off. Vacuum or blow out the area carefully before remove the plug so nothing would go into the combustion chamber.
When re-installing the spark plug tubes, you need to put some sealer on the threaded area that screws into the head, otherwise, oil may leak into the spark plug area.
If you have a manual, read up on how to remove and re-install the tubes first.
It is safe to take out the tube if you need to, put rages or paper towels around the area to catch the broken pieces that may fly off. Vacuum or blow out the area carefully before remove the plug so nothing would go into the combustion chamber.
When re-installing the spark plug tubes, you need to put some sealer on the threaded area that screws into the head, otherwise, oil may leak into the spark plug area.
If you have a manual, read up on how to remove and re-install the tubes first.
N.E.O.
Man youve helped me so much today and its thanksgiving, thanks my dude.
And yeah, i just wanted to know if i could remove the tubes with the plugs still in there..that way i can clean out the plastic and clean it up, before taking the plug out, that way no stuff goes in there. thanks my friend
The tubes hold oil out and if you remove it, then oil will get on top of the plug and pieces will probably go under the valve cover in the engine. I have a leaky tube that I need to fix. I would say remove the valve cover and take the tube off, then the plug will come out, otherwise, keep digging, twisting and vacuuming until you can get a wrench on the plug. You can tape a smaller hose onto the end of a vacuum hose for tight areas. A better job would be to remove the valve cover and tube. Don't forget a gasket and rtv silicone, plus oil, spark plugs and wires.
__________________
91 Celica GT Coupe
Knowledge builds confidence.
The tubes hold oil out and if you remove it, then oil will get on top of the plug and pieces will probably go under the valve cover in the engine. I have a leaky tube that I need to fix. I would say remove the valve cover and take the tube off, then the plug will come out, otherwise, keep digging, twisting and vacuuming until you can get a wrench on the plug. You can tape a smaller hose onto the end of a vacuum hose for tight areas. A better job would be to remove the valve cover and tube. Don't forget a gasket and rtv silicone, plus oil, spark plugs and wires.
hey thanks for the reply.
And yeah ive decided to try an get those last two wires out, without breaking them, then remove the valve cover and gasket, and then the tubes one by one, and clean and replace the plugs/wires an what not.
Anyone know of any ways to remove these tubes without that special tool? cheapest i found that tool was $66 online. Cant even find it in a store
There is a special tool? I was hoping to go out there right now and just twist on it to fix my leak. Other than that I would say, after the valve cover is removed to put a pipe wrench on it as close to the base as possible. Just don't crush the tube or strip it.
__________________
91 Celica GT Coupe
Knowledge builds confidence.
Other than that I would say, after the valve cover is removed to put a pipe wrench on it as close to the base as possible. Just don't crush the tube or strip it.
That's how I took mine out. Make sure you don't drop anything into the head. Cardboard or plastic sheet with 4 holes for the tubes to stick out will work. Make sure you put silicone on the tube thread before you put them back on. Or else you'll have oil on the plugs.
You'll HAVE to cover everything up. Pipe wrench WILL break pieces off the tube and they'll fall into the engine.
There is a special tool? I was hoping to go out there right now and just twist on it to fix my leak. Other than that I would say, after the valve cover is removed to put a pipe wrench on it as close to the base as possible. Just don't crush the tube or strip it.
I tried that, didnt work, they are in there too tight, and you dont want to damage that tube..
You can do this though without the special tool, tried it and it worked fine for me, just be careful doing it, the nuts arnt super strong.
SPARK-PLUG TUBE REMOVAL TIP !!:
* Remove valve-cover
* Insert a nut from the spark-plug tube on the tube to be removed but
install the nut flat-side up.
* Insert another nut from a different spark-plug tube on the tube to be
removed flat side down (flat side to flat side)
* tighten the two nuts towards eath other (double-nut technique) until tight
using channel-locks or whatever.
* using an open-end 30mm wrench or channel-locks on the lower of these
two nuts, remove the spark-plug tube.
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