Spark Plug Nut Stripped

[Abooza69]

A short history...

A few years ago I bought a 2012 Ram 2500 HD Power Wagon with a 5.7L Hemi. Immediately after buying it, the exhaust manifold started leaking. Come to find out that the previous owner/shop had pieced it together and made it run well enough to sell. The bolts had been run-in with a pneumatic gun so some of the bolts had to be extracted, some needed helicoils, and the manifold needed to be replaced as well.
The oil pan gasket needs to be changed, there is a rattle in the front left, transmission needs to be serviced, spark plug seals need to be replaced, and yada yada...It's a lemon but it is still a nice truck. Once I get the little things no one ever did, it should run fine but every time I try to fix one thing, I find another...lol.

I am at the point of a tune-up now. I have replaced the tires, fixed the manifold issues, and had one spark plug seal replaced. My issue is that the spark plug nut is stripped. From what little of it I can see, it looks like someone tried pounding a socket on it and just demolished it. How can I get it out?
I need to replace all the spark plug seals myself anyways. Does removing the valve cover allow for better access? I tried the deep socket extractor set but the 5/8 is to thick for the hole.

 

[RAMLUVR69]

I cant really comment on the valve cover or on how to get the stripped one out, but for the rest of the plugs this is the tool that I, and many others on this forum recommend:

https://www.amazon.com/GEARWRENCH-8-Inch-6-Inch-Swivel-Premium/dp/B07PVVSNS1

I used this and a 3/8 drive ratchet and it's all I needed for all 16 plugs, no other extensions or tools were needed. Good luck with the stripped one, maybe post a picture if you can.

 

[Abooza69]

Thanks, and yes, I used a 5/8 remover on a swivel for the other 15. I've tried tapping a 16mm and a 5/8 star pattern with no success.
It still runs...but for how long? I hope I don't need to remove the head for this...grrrr!

Next time I have it apart, I will try to take a pic.

 

[tron67j]

Penetration oil, got to let it soak for a couple days. If you are doing this, you can use a screw extractor but I recommend practicing on a spark plug first. Easy way is to put plug into large Nut and torq it hard, then put in vise. Then practice drilling and extracting it out. Very hard to do in engine, and hopefully someone else had better idea. I would take to a good mechanic as they have specialized tools and years of experience.

 

[Hemi395]

If it was torqued correctly to 13ft/lbs, it shouldn't take that much to break it loose. Maybe try a deep extractor socket?

If it was cranked down past the recommended torque you may be in for a fight....

 

[Abooza69]

Penetration oil, got to let it soak for a couple days. If you are doing this, you can use a screw extractor but I recommend practicing on a spark plug first. Easy way is to put plug into large but and torq it hard, then put in vise. Then practice drilling and extracting it out. Very hard to do in engine, and hopefully someone else had better idea. I would take to a good mechanic as they have specialized tools and years of experience.

Thank you. I was wondering if that was an option but because of the location, (right side against the firewall), it might be easier to pull the head.

 

[tron67j]

Ha, another time the spell check gremlin gets me again. Changed it to Nut!

 

[Abooza69]

If it was torqued correctly to 13ft/lbs, it shouldn't take that much to break it loose. Maybe try a deep extractor socket?

If it was cranked down past the recommended torque you may be in for a fight....

Thank you.

I'm sure it was over tightened to begin with, but I can't even get a bite on it. I've tried deep socket 16 and 5/8 along with a bolt extractor but that was to thick. I did try the triton extractor as it looked the best tool for the part but it is not long enough to tighten the bolt and grip the electrode.

 

[indept]

If you post a picture it might help us to come up with suggestions.

 

[Abooza69]

I will soon. I am going to talk to a pro mechanic on Monday.

 

[Burla]

Put a shim in the extractor, and hammer it onto the plug.

Or search for spark plug extractor tools.

I'd let the **** soak in penetrating oil first.

There is about ten million youtubes on this...

 

[Burla]

I bet someone went the wrong way once or it was over tightened from the factory. The fact it is stripped, i think the first one.

spark plug cutter hex.. first it would not work, then what did he do? Yup soaked the **** out of it wd40.

 

[Abooza69]

Put a shim in the extractor, and hammer it onto the plug.

Or search for spark plug extractor tools.

I'd let the **** soak in penetrating oil first.

There is about ten million youtubes on this...

I have watched almost all of them...lol. None of the deal with a stripped nut other than tapping it on. I have tried that and I think that is how it got messed up in the first place by someone. I can't use a shim, the threads are not long enough. I need a thin-walled bolt extractor 5/8. I don't think they make one.

Thanks.

 

[Abooza69]

I bet someone went the wrong way once or it was over tightened from the factory. The fact it is stripped, i think the first one.

spark plug cutter hex.. first it would not work, then what did he do? Yup soaked the **** out of it wd40.

I have tried the extractors and none will bite the electrode. The 5/8 won't even fit into the hole. Yes, the nut is stripped.

 

[Abooza69]

I bet someone went the wrong way once or it was over tightened from the factory. The fact it is stripped, i think the first one.

spark plug cutter hex.. first it would not work, then what did he do? Yup soaked the **** out of it wd40.

I will try this again when I get the head off. It looks like that is the only way to get it out...

 

[Burla]

I will try this again when I get the head off. It looks like that is the only way to get it out...

sorry to hear it, thus is why especially with hemi's you should put some anti seize on the plugs. It is a very corrosive environment, maybe back off a couple torques if you use seize.

 

[Abooza69]

I will torque to 13fp. Whoever did this had no idea the problems they caused and don't care. They put it back together and left it for me...lol

 

[Lyle Longboat]

I will torque to 13fp. Whoever did this had no idea the problems they caused and don't care. They put it back together and left it for me...lol

Damn those fool/s!

 

[crackerjack1957]

Thanks, and yes, I used a 5/8 remover on a swivel for the other 15. I've tried tapping a 16mm and a 5/8 star pattern with no success.
It still runs...but for how long? I hope I don't need to remove the head for this...grrrr!

Next time I have it apart, I will try to take a pic.

Did you mean to say 15mm?
16mm actually a few thousands larger than 5/8
15mm may actually drive on if the other sizes are not gripping 5/8 hex
Make sure to use a hex-6-point vrs 12-point unless the 6-point is to tight to drive on.
.625-.590(15mm)=.035 smaller

If you can't get the 15mm on.........with engine cold.......heat socket up with torch or place on grill/oven with 3/8 drive end up......insert 3/8 extension & move quickly to spark plug while still oversized from heat.......tap on if necessary & wait for it to cool.......spray more penetrating oil while waiting to cool down.

 

[Abooza69]

Did you mean to say 15mm?
16mm actually a few thousands larger than 5/8
15mm may actually drive on if the other sizes are not gripping 5/8 hex
Make sure to use a hex-6-point vrs 12-point unless the 6-point is to tight to drive on.
.625-.590(15mm)=.035 smaller

If you can't get the 15mm on.........with engine cold.......heat socket up with torch or place on grill/oven with 3/8 drive end up......insert 3/8 extension & move quickly to spark plug while still oversized from heat.......tap on if necessary & wait for it to cool.......spray more penetrating oil while waiting to cool down.

Looks like I am off to buy a 15mm and try that. I do not have a deep socket 15 so I have not tried that. Thank you, now let's see if it works...