OT- Dodge Dakota ???

[JC Blauvelt]

I am trying to remove the spark plugs on a 6 cyl. Dodge Dakota. They are deep down in wells in the engine block and I can not break them loose from a cold engine block with a standard ratchet wrench with an extension bar. Any suggestions? Penetrating oil? Impact wrench? Heat engine up first? Give up and bring it to the Dodge dealer?

[T.D.C.]

What year? My '99 does not seem to have them too deep. Sometime you need a thinwall socket in those pockest becasue a thick socket binds on the walls of the soclet hole. Squirt some knock rust on the base of the plugs and warm the engine. The difference in the expansion rate should allow you to get them out. Be careful because it is easier than you think to spin one of those peanut plugs off. Use a good spark plug socket. I dont like to use anything larger that a 3/8" socket beacuse a 1/2 " can get out of control real fast. From the voice of experience. When you replkace them put Never Seize on the plug threads. How long have they been in?

[JC Blauvelt]

It is a 2004 model. They have been in there for 40,000 miles. Time to check and or change them per the owners manual. The spark plug socket I have it an ok fit in the wells. No binding there. If I get them out the new ones will definatly get a coating of Never Sieze.

[T.D.C.]

If warming the engine doesn't help you could try an impact wrench that you can put on a low setting. they can "rattle" the plugs loose. Gradually increase power. The air rachets do not seem to have a similar chatter to loosen the bind. It can be a tough fit but effective. Just dont crank it up.

[JC Blauvelt]

T.D.C. , Thanks for the advice. I am going to try one of those hand held impact drivers you hit with a hammer. Hopefully that little shot will break them loose along with a liberal squirt of Kroil Oil.

[T.D.C.]

let me know. i think the ones in my kids truck have the full 100k on them. i tried one last night and all went well.

don't spare the never seize

[JC Blauvelt]

Success! The tight ones came out after I warmed the engine and then gave them a few mild taps with a hand held impact driver. They were not 100,000 mile plugs. They looked like they needed changing. Thanks for the advice.

[T.D.C.]

For the cost of plugs and all the grief of getting them out, I replace them as a matter of course. I shed enough blood from my knuckles to fiddle with gapping and cleaning plugs. Often the internal resistence is compromised and that is what make the spark plug a spark plug.