This is an embarrassing question, and not quite a BMW issue, but thought you guys might be able to help. :confused I was replacing spark plugs in a v6 minivan, and one of the plugs at the back is pretty hard to get to, and is buried pretty deep. I managed to unscrew the thing, but it fell off the tool and is now inside the well. Now.....access is VERY limited, no space to use pliers etc. This is at the back, not enough space to even use a mirror to look what's up there!. Any ideas guys? Have you heard of this before, do you know of any tool which can retrieve the damn thing?
Don't most spark plug sockets have a rubber sleeve in them? At any rate, I would find one that does have the sleeve, and just monkey around with the spark well until you can get the plug out. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
ahh yes....I've rebuilt several FWD v6 minivans...not fun at all! I would just get a magnet and poke around until you find it. If you can't fit a mirror back there or crawl underneath and have access to that area..that's really your only hope unless you feel like removing the heads. Good luck.
thanks for the response guys, I haven't tried the magnet thing. Do you think the rear end of a spark plug has enough metal to attach itself to a magnet? I did have a proper spark plug tool with the rubber sleeve, but I guess it still fell off while I was turning and twisting the thing in the confined space.
I think I will "monkey around" some more with a magnet tonight. Will keep you updated!!
Try sticking a blob of chewing gum to the end of your ratchet extension and see if you can get the plug to stick to it. I've used this technique before for screws that fell into hard to reach areas. :lmao2
Originally posted by Eraj@Aug 5 2004, 01:00 PM thanks for the response guys, ...but I guess it still fell off while I was turning and twisting the thing in the confined space...
Originally posted by kestrel325is@Aug 5 2004, 11:30 AM Don't most spark plug sockets have a rubber sleeve in them? At any rate, I would find one that does have the sleeve, and just monkey around with the spark well until you can get the plug out. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
I did try using double sided tape on the end of a metal rod, no luck.
Thanks for the mean comments Torontodude, Guys I know this dude, he works with me, and you know what he drives........................a Celica.......yikes!!!!!!!!
Originally posted by Eraj@Aug 5 2004, 01:16 PM yeah,
I did try using double sided tape on the end of a metal rod, no luck.
Thanks for the mean comments Torontodude, Guys I know this dude, he works with me, and you know what he drives........................a Celica.......yikes!!!!!!!!
Eraj..I"m shocked that you would deny everybody the truth..tell them about your secret life as Honda Civic owner!!
The other day you were pretty proud driving in around in that souped up vtec thing..in fact you were dropped out the window doin' one of these :rock if I remember correctly..
Oh..and the bimmer is your daughters car, so stop playin' with these guys already :thumbs
Well, anybody who wants to wring this guy's neck, catch hime driving a blue, stupid looking ricer Celica on 14th august at the wild water kingdom in Toronto. They have some kinda ricer get-together, probably to lick their collective wounds inflicted by bimmers during the last year!!
(Actually he's okay, just hates to see my bimmer sparkle next to his wanna be Celika peace of crap!)
:clap2 lol..you don't play well with others eh? s'ok..but for those of you interseted...we have over 30 GTA area clubs attending the event, including Porsche & Ferrari , along with C7 Performance (that's my club- Canada's largest Celica club)..it's gonna be professionally staged with DJ, Catered lunch...and hot models..
$21 gets you into Wild Water Kingdom, 1/4 pound hamburger, pop & chips, and parking...all covered or 1 low price..
if you're interested.. visit this thread for more info:
we're the same group that put together last years C7 Fall Tour with over 300 cars that drove up to HOckley Valley ... :driving
if you guys do consider coming...come in droves!! We want to see as many cars out as possible..we have TONS of room and we'll be in a priority location for all the public to see...
Hope to see bimmer-folk come out and represent :welcome
Traffic in the park is anticipated to be between 12 to 14,000 visitors !!
Oh..and for the record we have all 7 generations reprsented this weekend..that's why we're C7 Performance
Originally posted by wavewuver@Aug 5 2004, 01:12 PM Try sticking a blob of chewing gum to the end of your ratchet extension and see if you can get the plug to stick to it. I've used this technique before for screws that fell into hard to reach areas. :lmao2
On a more serious note regarding the spark plug...there is definitely enough metal on the tip to pull it out. Go up to AUTOZONE and pick up one of the magnets they sell for .99 and I guarantee you'll have it out in 2 seconds. Also, my personal preference is to have two seperate spark plug sockets. I have one with the rubber boot inside and one without. When installing the plugs just drop it down and then use the socket without the rubber boot to tighten it. The logic behind this is simple...ask anyone who has had the rubber boot come out of the socket and stay on the spark plug once it's tightened. You'll invent a few new curse words if that ever happens to you. I only use the rubber one to remove the plugs.
On a more serious note regarding the spark plug...there is definitely enough metal on the tip to pull it out. Go up to AUTOZONE and pick up one of the magnets they sell for .99 and I guarantee you'll have it out in 2 seconds. Also, my personal preference is to have two seperate spark plug sockets. I have one with the rubber boot inside and one without. When installing the plugs just drop it down and then use the socket without the rubber boot to tighten it. The logic behind this is simple...ask anyone who has had the rubber boot come out of the socket and stay on the spark plug once it's tightened. You'll invent a few new curse words if that ever happens to you. I only use the rubber one to remove the plugs.
Just drop it down? Yikes.. I guess you never had to run a thread chaser into a head in abd spot from damaging the soft aluminum threads with the hard steel threads of the plug. The best wayb i have found to start a plug even in a bad place is to use a piece of rubber house that fits snugly over about one inch of the spark plug insulator. then just turn the rubber hose in your hands till the plug goes in a couple of turns. hose wont grip hard enough to cross thread the plug, and it is the ultimate flex extnesion, and you just yank it off and use the regular spark plug socket to bring it to final tightness
Good news....I magaed to get the damn thing out. I had to take the wipers off, remove the panel with the vents and finally removed the "pan" underneath the wiper motor, which gave me anough room to use a mirror.
Then I used this wonderful tool, very flexible and supple, designed by God himself, called fingers!!!!!!
Thanks for your help guys...appreciate it.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
BMW Werkz
668.8K posts
97.6K members
Since 2003
A forum community dedicated to all BMW owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more for your favorite models!