tune up help?!?

[99ramdyllan]

i went to take my plugs out today and took the plug boot off and realized there was so much mud packed in the heat shield so i cleaned it out and saw there were indentions in the bottom of the shield to where i couldnt even get a socket on the plug, anyone know what to do or ever had this problem? i need help!

 

[pitbull]

Is there a sleeve over the plugs ? If so just squeeze the sleeve gently with pliers and pull them out there made to remove this way and reinstall the same way there just a heat sheild sleeve should be split on one side for removal by squeezing

 

[99ramdyllan]

i didnt know if they were removable and i didnt want to break them, if i did break them would it hurt anything?

 

[electriccity]

Oh we had this happen on a ram van similar year it's a real pita. We ended up having to break those tubes. The guy before us mangled them and they where rotted to the head took a lot of fiddling but we got it

 

[pitbull]

As long as im understanding what your issue in then no but there hard to break more likely to bend them but thats even tough to do. If there just sleeves around the plug and boot like im understanding you then there not needed but its best to put them back on after your done. look at them and you will see there split on one side to allow them to squeeze to remove.

 

[99ramdyllan]

yeah there is a split on the side, thanks for all the quick help guys, ill head back out and see how it goes will let you all know how it goes later on.

 

[pitbull]

No problem . Hope it gets it done for you friend.

 

[Okiespaniel]

Not sure why the factory used those mud and dirt collectors. Mine have been gone for over 10 years and niether I nor the truck have missed them

 

[electriccity]

That's exactly what they are dirt collectors. All they are supposed to do is protect the plug wire boots from heat. If yer worried about that you can buy removable ones that just slide over the boot like a GM, but in my opinion not really a nec.

 

[99ramdyllan]

well i called it quits for the day i have had enough cursing at the truck, but once i get them off they will never be put back on!

 

[pitbull]

lol I cant blame you. Personally I put mine back on but like I said before it dont hurt anything if they are not reinstalled. There just heat sheilds that alot of engines dont have to begin with.

 

[Bigtman07]

I unscrewed mine out of the holes. Glad I took them out. They were a royal pain while trying to do my plugs and wires.