Spark plug problem
 

Well, out of all the tasks I wanted to complete on my car, you'd think I could replace the spark plugs without a problem...

...but I can't...

...argh...

I have two replaced. Three other coils have left their boots attached to the old plugs and the sixth coil I didn't even pull because I was so damned frustrated.

The first time a boot was left behind, I tried to extract it. I tore it in half. So, I figure I have lined myself up for at least one new coil. The other two boots I left where they are - I'm not going to buy myself any more new coils.

But what the hell am I going to do? I can't get the rest of the boot off because it's crammed way in there, and I can't get the plug out because the boot is in the way.

Of course, after hours of fighting with this, NOW I figure that I could fit one of my really long, small screwdrivers in between the plug and the boot and maybe massage it off. But one of the stuck boots is in the passenger-side rear cylinder (#6, maybe?), and I don't even know that I can get it in there.

I'm pissed. I have done so much work on this car over the past couple of weeks and replacing the $#()*^&ing SPARK PLUGS has got me stumped!

Maybe all's not lost.

I seem to recall two solutions for the boot, but not too much in details. One involved some part from a Maytag, and another from just an auto parts store, and trying to match it.

Do a search. :)

VK

I searched around and didn't find much. Nothing about a part from Maytag, and one person said that they were able to extract the boots with a needlenose pliers. Since mine tear in half when I try to get them out, that doesn't help me.

I wonder if I can find some way to grip the end of the plug tightly and just pull the plug out with the boot. A pair of pliers isn.t sufficient, and I can't fit a vise-grip in there. Does anybody know of a tool which could grab the end of the plug and twist it out? I'd hate to break the end of the plug off, but it wouldn't leave me worse off than I am now - with the boot in the way I can't fit the socket on the plug anyway.

I have changed my plugs and I did not have the problem you are having. Spark plug boots have always been a problem from to time. They just do not want to come off. Pulling on the boot does not help because it stretches the rubber and this makes it tighter on the plug. The way to get the boot off is to get to the bottom of the boot and push the boot up from that end. The suction will hold it on sometimes also. A gentle pull and then waiting until the air flows into the boot sometimes help.

I haven't done this and I do not if there is room but I was thinking of making a boot puller out of a bent piece of metal with a rounded slot to fit on the plug below the boot.

Maybe this will help and maybe it won't. I don't know if there is room to get a boot puller in there.

If you could remove the plug by twisthing the tip of it you'd have bigger problems than you think you already have. ;) It's really not so much of an issue of getting the boots out as what to replace the torn ones with. As far as removing them you can get a set of picks at Sears, etc. for around $7-$10 and dig them out. This isn't uncommon on many cars. (Hint: before re-installing the coils use a little shmear of synthetic grease on each of the boots so it doesn't happen again.)

I also remember a post regarding the torn boots some time ago (this year, I'm certain) and it was a common part used to replace them. Go forth and search, young Jedi - May the farce be with you. :)

Thanks for your reply. There really is no room to fit a 'puller' around the outside of the boot. Besides, since the boot is a tube, and not closed at one end, suction isn't really a problem. Actually, suction should only be a problem with the boots that came off with the coils, since one end is effectively closed. :)

BTW - you could make a custom set of picks from a coat hanger and a pair of pliers. Right length, angle, etc...

I remember the post of what could be used for the boot. Was it a boot from another car (Subaru)that would interchange with the one on the SVX? I will keep looking because I would like to know myself. Good luck.:confused:

I remember a post where someone was able to use the distributor end boot from a set of conventional plug wires as a suitable replacement. I guess you would have to scrounge your local parts place and do some compares. :rolleyes: :p

Is Henry still around on this board?

This is the message that Boone and I are referring to:

http://www.subaru-svx.net/archive/ar...?message=49290

VK

Thanks, but I don't have a Pep Boys anywhere near me. I guess I'll have to try to find something similar. Thanks.

But it still doesn't solve the problem of getting the old boots off. For that I still think I'll take it to the dealer - they must have run into this problem before.

I wonder if they'll try to sell you a new engine? ;)

KuoH

Here's a thought...if you take it to the dealer are they going to say you need new coils because the boots are torn?

It's possible. I figure that I'm already buying a new coil unless I can find a suitable replacement boot. But this is a shop I trust, so I also figured that they would have better methods for removing the stuck boots.

But then I called the dealer's service department and talked to Lou, the manager. I wanted to ask him about another AC problem on the Legacy.

Lou tells me that if I tore a boot, it's most likely that they won't have any better luck that I will. He says that they have no tricks up their sleeves.

That doesn't sound like a service manager who wants to rip me off. :)

So...what can I spray in there to loosen them up or stick in there to pull them out or...can I use a heat gun?

I'd definitely spray some WD-40 on them, try to wedge it up a little and spray so it'll get back in behind it, keep working it, it should come off.