Just removed the boot from the plug on the front driver side of the engine and the plug doesn't seem to want to come out easily. Its turning but with me giving pretty good force so I stopped in case the threads may be messing up. Also, there is about an inch of an oily substance down in the hole where the plug goes. I dont think its from anything leaking down into it as I don't see any leakage around anywhere. The substance smells like burnt oil...but has a slight anti-freeze smell to it also. Anyone have some tips to get me going in the right direction?? I've search on here for the last half hour and couldn't find the info I need.

 

Just got the plug out. It has black gunk caked up all down the threaded section and smells like burnt oil. Is a new plug gonna be ok going back in that hole?

 

clean out that hole as good as you can, careful not to get anything in the block. And be careful when installing the new plug as to not miss thread or damage the threads. As long as everything is clean and it scerws in smooth you should be fine. But be sure to check back often and see if that build up happens again

 

Ok now I'm on the second one from the firewall in the driverside and it stops after about 1 1/2 forceful turns. Should I keep forcing it and hope it gives or should I put the wire back on that one and move on to the next? If I were to break it off in there I'd be screwed. Need the truck tomorrow.

 

If you need it by tomorrow then you can scratch the idea I was going to mention about soaking it for a few hours before hand. You want to make sure and clean those wells out before you remove the plug, even if its some type of liquid or gunk. A vacuum with a custom small tube attached or a compressor works to blow it out. It also might help just a little bit to have the truck warm to remove the plugs. Not hot, just warm. I'm not sure why you are having such a hard time getting them out. If they were changed before and reinstalled without antisieze I can kind of see them being a bit stiff but not stuck. Just take your time with them. Those plug threads are going to be stronger than the aluminum threads in the head so with enough force, the weaker link will lose. It would be best to wait until you have time to back them out just a hair and soak them with a few squirts of penetrating oil. That would be safest. With that said, maybe wait till you have a full day, crack them lose just a bit and soak with a few light sprays.. then sit for atleast 2 hours and go for it. Might be an all day thing, but will help and be safe.

 

Alrighty, after 5 hours I'm done. Figured I'd go for it and not quit til its done since I had already started. Thanks for the tip of spraying some lube and letting it sit for a while on that one stuck plug. Since that was the 3 one I was on I sprayed it and then moved on to the others and came back to it last. With the exception of #4?? under/behind the firewall all went smooth. Used a wet-dry vac that reverses into a blower and after pulling off each boot I'd put the little nozzle down in there to try to blow all the debri out. The truck spit and sputtered for a good minute or two after the initial crank up, then gradually smoothed out. I assume thats normal?? Thanks for the feedback....its much appreciated.

 

#4 is a bit difficult to get to. Glad you got it worked out though. Like mentioned, keep an eye on that one that was caked in crap.


-Matt

 

Mannn, I hope you blew the plug chambers out first lol?? To late now I guess. Makes me wonder why it spittered and sputtered for a bit after you were done...? That's not normal IMO. Should fire right up at a high idle, then work it's way down to between 700 and 750. That's if you even disconnected the battery first lol. Okay, I'll give yuh the battery, - and say hat you did at least lol.

 

I blew the chambers out before removing each existing plug. That one that was caked up with crud though, not sure I was able to get everything out of that chamber. And yes, I did disconnect the negative terminal before starting the job. I was pretty scared and aggrivated when I first cranked it up and it acted like it wanted to shut off. A decent bit of smoke came from under the hood for a split second at that same time and I just let it idle for a minute. It evened out and has been running perfect ever since. Have driven it quite a bit today with not problems or signs of anything wrong. Guess I should just cross my fingers and see how things go?

 

Sounds like some nasty's got down into the cylinder, or whatever crud that was. Wonder where the smoke was coming from