Crap, I got a Socket stuck in the Spark Plug hole....
 

Damnit, I was trying to get one of my plugs out when all of a sudden the extender pops out of the socket and now the socket is stuck on the plug and I cant get it out!

I think I also used the wrong size socket since it isn't turning the spark plug or else I would just unscrew it out :nails: :nails: :nails:

What should I do!?

try to find some kind of magnet or very long needle nose pliers the skiny ones..

well.. I usually use a strong magnet I have that telescopes.. if its too wedged for that, I pick at it with a combination of a dental pick/hook and a thin flat head screw driver. Last stitch effort, run to the tool store and you can get a locking extension, it will lock into the socket and not let go.. GL!

its jammed in the hole, magnet wont do anything...

i doubt i can get enough grip with needle nose pliars..

damnit..

Put one layer of tape (not Scotch) around the male drive of the extension and put it back in the socket,
then reverse slightly to free the thing and you should be able to get it right out (should).

Good luck.

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Try some JB Weld on the end of the extender and re-attach it to the socket. Or some really strong glue would do the trick... sop up the end of the extender really good and stick in the socket. give it like an hour to set and you should be able to get it out.

For future reference, I have a dedicated socket and extender for spark plugs and I have them fused with duct tape. Of course, you can also buy extenders that clip on to the socket.

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okay im gonna try this right now, be right back!

OH YEAH DON'T BANG ON THE EXTENSION AS YOU DON;T WANT TO F UP YOUR PLUG THREADS ON THE HEAD.

FML its reaaally ____ing stuck in there..... the tape made it a little harder to press into the socket but still just popped right out when i pulled up...

____... will a locking extension work for sure? can i drive my car without the spark plug connected? do i have to disable fuel to the cylinder too?

daaaamniiittt

You probably shouldnt drive like that

did you try loosening the plug with the extension in?

yea but the socket is very wide and against the hole.. i dont think it even made it all the way down to the hex pattern on the plug :(

fml

last ditch effort..take the head off...haha sounds crazy..but you may just have to.
i know my friend had a socket stuck on his plug one time and he put the extension down with some tape on it, shoved it in the socket and wiggled it around a little bit then it came right out..

How about wiggling it? You have to free up the jamb so you can pull it out.

It's not great to drive it like that, but it can be done.... I had to drive 15 miles with a blown plug wire on another car once... it basically sounded like a lawn mower. Once I got to the shop, the plug itself was shot. The only thing that really happens is that the cylinder gets wet with unburnt fuel. It cleans itself out very quickly once the new plug is in (in my case, new plug wire as well).

I wouldnt drive very far like that but yes it can be done you will just have a very bad misfire lol (cyl not firing) - and yes you can unhook the injector from that cyl to avoid spraying fuel in the cylinder. FYI your CEL will flash due to misfire detection. Also i dunno how far you shoved it down there but try taking off the valve cover - its easy and itll give you a little more room to play with.

ugh what do you mean remove the valve cover? of course i removed it how else would i have gotten to the spark plug...

anyway..

how hard is it to remove the head?

my dad is picking up some locking extensions right now but if that doesnt work im thinking about purging my nitrous on the socket to supercool it and hopefully shrink it enough to get it out

You pulled off the plastic engine cover but the valve cover is the metal under that.

I'm sorry my idea did'nt help, but much luck to you. Also, as soon as you get it out please let us know Mike. Godspeed.

Valve cover is the metal cover on the motor below the plaastic engine cover it is secured by like 10 10mm bolts and 2 10mm nuts on studs. After you remove it the cams, lifters, and timing chain will be visible. This will reduce the 'depth" of the whole and maybe make it easier to get the socket out. If you do have to remove the head - I believe there are some people on here who have managed to remove it without pulling the motor but ive yet to figure out how they got the timing chain cover off - its much easier just to pull the motor.