A bit of trouble here. A few weeks ago blew out number 6 spark plug. Threads were fine although I chased them to be certain. Same thing happened about 4 years ago or so to number 8. I've only had them changed once and the Dealer did that as I was nervous about stripping those 4 threads. It's a 2 valve Triton.

I fixed number 6 and then thought I better check the torque on all of them especially as I understand there's a TSB (although I've never seen it) calling for 20-22 ft-lbs.It went mostly OK. Even Number 8 which I only tightened to what I thought felt right was OK... until the last one.... number 4.

The socket wouldn't grip the spark plug hex. I figure probably a little rust on the hex as there was about a 1/2” of dried rusty water at the end of the coil. Next I made a mistake. Can you guess what that was?

I tapped the socket down a bit. Very gently too. Then I went to remove the extension and u-joint. Can't remember why at the moment, but everything came out except the socket. Trying to get the u-joint back in was frustrating, but I finally got it in.

So, I'm hoping if I can remove the plug, all will be OK, but so far it feels like I'm about to break something. This evening I sprayed a lot of Liquid Wrench down there but am uncertain if it will help even left overnight.

Any thoughts on what to do next? T-Y.

 

well, the easy attempt is to just remove the plug and hope the socket comes out with it. Anything else is going to require some ingenuity, like cramming a piece of threaded rod down into the socket, or even tapping the socket to receive some threaded rod. A slide hammer with a hook may work too.

 

I’ll try tomorrow after the penetrating oil soaks over night. I’ll use a breaker bar instead of my short ratchet. Put some force on it and tap the bar with a hammer to help shock it free. Light taps.

It feels funny... I think the socket isn’t down over the plug hex very much and it may twist free damaging the hex..

I think it’s rust on the hex from water. Perhaps the penetrating oil will do something for that. Doubt it will migrate past the plug bevel to get to the threads.

T-Y for the reply.

 

Got it out, plug and socket.

Why was it stuck? Someone (dealer) Used a Ford sticker to help keep the spark plug from falling out of the socket when they installed the plug (as like many of us, they probably remove the rubber piece so the socket doesn’t get stuck). The sticker was still there jamming the plug hex to the socket.

Plug had rust stains all over it, but no rust to make it stick to the socket. Now to put in a new plug and put everything back together.