Seized # 5 spark plug on my 2001 Ram 1500 truck

[dolphans1]

Hello folks I had a question on my 2001 dodge ram 1500 truck. It is a five speed manual V6 I believe it’s either the 3.9 L or 5.9 L I can’t remember right off the bat. Here’s my dilemma I could tell I was getting a miss on the ignition, and it was throwing a code of P0305, which we all know what that code is, possible number five cylinder may be misfiring.

Now to bring you up to speed.

I am the original owner and this was my third time replacing the spark plugs on this truck successfully , the last time I had replaced them was three years ago.

During this occasion, I noticed when trying to back out the spark plugs, they were really hard to back out counterclockwise, so I used WD-40 and carburetor cleaner as I went along.

I got out all the plugs like I had before, but I was having difficulty with the number five plug , that is at a 45° angle, almost into the firewall.

However, I stayed patient with it by making many short counter clockwise turns back and forth, while spraying in W l-40 when I could but before doing all that, I attempted to remove the number five spark plug wire by pulling on the spark plug wire *****, the round heat shield came off, and I noticed part of the ceramic had a crack in it when the wire came off the # 5 plug.

Nonetheless, I then began backing out the # 5 spark plug, for over an hour.

After a while, It finally came to a point where the spark plug socket appeared to be easier to turn, and then ratchet and spark plug socket dropped, and I assumed the # 5 plug came out, and I noticed on a second look, the socket slipped off and the ceramic had broken off, but the metal electrode was intact.

When I place the socket over the spark plug and turn it, it just seems to turn forever freehand however, the spark plug does not come out, so I don’t know at this point what to do to extract the plug, does this mean the threads got stripped out and the plug is still stuck in the spark plug hole?

If so, what do I Gotta do do I have to pull the head off and drill the spark plug out ?

Is it best I take the truck to a Dodge dealer and have them extract the spark plug?

Any advice is appreciated. I really do not know what to do when I placed the socket with my hand over the spark plug I can turn it counterclockwise forever, but nothing appears to happen, and I can’t pull the plug out.

Any tips or advice anyone can offer?

Thanks!

 

[MAC830203]

From picture, looks like there’s some pieces getting in the way of your socket?? Try clearing up any broken ceramic from around the plug base. Try a short extension with swivel. The threads and plug nut are one piece.

 

[chopperman1]

There is broken porcelain in there, gotta remove it! The electrode head is also bent which will make it a bugger to get a spark plug socket on there, need a regular socket at this point.

 

[Dean2]

The guys are dead on. Socket is not getting down onto the nut. Once it does you should be good. Instead of WD40, try actual penetrating oil to help ease the tightness. WD40 is for getting rid of water, it is a poor lubricant and a mediocre rust buster. Liquid Wrench makes a great penetrating oil.

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

WD40 is for getting rid of water, it is a poor lubricant

Wow you think the same way I do, everybody swears by WD40, the only thing it has worked for is starting a flooded carbureted engine spray it into the throat of the carburetor, I use Thrust by castle it never fails me.

 

[Choupique]

Agreed with everyone else. The nut isn't rounded off, so the socket isn't getting a bite on the nut. Get a regular deep socket, get all that crap outta the way, and hit it with some Kroil and let it soak overnight.

When you install the new ones, make sure they're torqued properly and not gorilla tight