I was doing a plug/cop change on my 2001 4.6 and I was not able to remove plug number 8. It was as if the plug had no thread or I am for some reason unable to get the socket over the plug correctly. I have read a few other posts here with similar issues but not quite the same. I can see that there is nothing in the hole blocking the plug, but I cannot see well enough to determine if the plug is damaged or stripped....?
I doubt the plug has ever been touched because I have had the truck since 17000 miles and this is the first I have changed plugs.

Any ideas about this? I heard that some people have had to grind the socket so it was thinner allowing it to fit between the plug and the inside walls of the hole. I haven't tried that, I have no tools to grind the socket.

Or maybe I cannot get the proper angle on that plug. The fuel rail is in the way a little, but I am not thinking it is the culprit.

Anyway, I changed the other 7 plugs and all 8 COPS and there is no more missfires so I am happy. But I would really like to get that #8 plug.

Any help? Perhaps there is something else I can use to get the plug out....without breaking it.

 

Maybe you can buy a thinwall socket from the tool truck guy. And if that fuel rail is in the way at all you'd better be careful, things can get brittle in 7 years! Good luck, I know you'll get it.

 

I had an issue with mine and I removed the rubber center out of the plug socket but you must be very careful not to angle it to much or you will break the top of the plug off.

 

use a swivel socket

 

If the socket won't set down on the plug, there may be a socket rubber left in place around the plug insulator form a last time somene worked there.
An inspection mirror and fashlite should be able to see this.
If so, fashion a stiff wire hook to get down along side, twist and hook on in several places to loosen and pull off.
Always put a plug back in with a stiff rubber hose so you can feel it start threading in before tightening with a socket.

 

I had to use a swivel and some verious extensions to get on the # 8 plug

as suggested- remove the rubber from inside socket and drop it down the hole using a short extention and then the swivel with what ever else you need to get the wrench on

after it is loose remove the socket and use a magnetic pick up the grab the plug and lift it out

you can use the socket with the short ext. to finger tighten the new plug then snug it up with the wrench

 

Had a similar problem on # 3. I took a long thin flat head screw driver & lightly walked it around the inside of the plug hole edges lightly appling downward/wiggling pressure at the edges. A melted build up of crap had built up around the bottom of the plug & wouldn't allow the socket to seat. Dropped the socket back in & locked up with no problem. Blew the crap out with a air hose & R & R the plug.

 

I just did my plugs and cops this last week and on that #8 plug I found that when I took off the COP there was the little metal retaining clip left so I started using on each plug a little magnetic wand to check to see what was in there before I tried to set spark plug socket in there. I was amazed at all the stuff I pulled out of those plug holes. But like you I kept trying to put the ruberiezed socket over and that puppy would not set. Also I used my my little mirror wand over the hole many times to just check and see what was down there after each air pressure cleaing and vaccuming. Good luck hope you can get that one out.

 

I had a similar problem on my 2002 5.4 engine - It was either #7 or #8 (can't remember, now). When I removed the COP, a little dirt fell in the hole and blocked the socket. I also used a blower/parts dryer attachment on my compressor and blew out the opening. Must be a common problem.

 

x2 on the swival and various extentions. It took patience to get it out, but it worked. Definitely make sure nothing is blocking the socking, shop vacs are great for this as well as the mirror. Good Luck!

 

It's quite common for crud to collect in the spark plug hole covering the head of the plug. And it's quite common for the OEM plugs to rust into dust. Use a little mirror to look into the hole.

First thing I'd try is to take a screw driver and break up all the crud that may be in the hole. Then blow it out with compressed air or vacuum it out.

If the plug has rusted into nothing, I take a deep socket slightly smaller than the plug socket and pound it down on what's left. Gives you enough purchase on the plug to get it out.