Hey guys, i tried the search and found nothing that answered my question. I have had my eclipse for about a year and havent yet changed my spark plugs (i know i know) I just recently started 2 become car lierate. well i decided to change my spark plugs and found that two of them i could not loosen with the extended spark plug socket. I dont want to torque it and do anything to my head... what should i do? should I take it in to the dealership and point it out, or just muscle it and hope nothing breaks?

Dave-

Talk to Thura... :)

It sounds like it seized in there. Just allow the engine to cool and muscle it out. It helps if you use a 10-12" socket extension bar and a breaker bar (long handled rachet.) When you get them out (cross your fingers), apply anti-seize to the threads when reinstalling.

do you think letting it cool would be best?? i would try running it for a while...maybe the head will expand a little to let the plugs come out a little easier...:shrug
doug
ps- i dont think you could really hurt your head...unless you break a plug, then youre screwed....but they should come out

alright, thx guys

Originally posted by lickscissors
do you think letting it cool would be best??

Yes, because a hot engine causes metal to expand a little. You'll have a better chance to get the plugs off when the engine is cold, when the metal has its "normal" characteristics.

I thought you were supposed to change em with the engine warmed up a tiny bit???

try both ways and see which one helps....
doug

Cold.

not all metal expand when they're hot. get to know which what kind of material is your engine. metal could be composed of different element (alloys).

always change spark plugs with the engine hot. the only exception is for aluminum heads, in which case you should change them when the head is borderline between warm and hot. NEVER change plugs with the engine cold.