Spark plugs really tight! :(

[mark-mk3gti]

Noticed today my in 02 light flashing, so thought I'd have a look round at changing the plugs first.

Only got 1 out of the 4 to come out fairly straight forward, one starts to turn then it stops, 1 barely turns and the last turns a bit and stops as well..

The one that did come out didn't look bad, so don't think it's essential to change, but may improve fuel consumption a bit if I cud change em

Tried spraying wd40 at em and leaving a bit, then tried with engine warm at 50 then nipped to shops and got to 76 but Only slight improvement,

Have called it a day cos don't wanna break em cos it's my daily, but unsure as what to do.. Should I take to a garage and pay to get em changed then at least if they balls it up there is some sort of comeback to them..

Any thoughts?

[Wayne]

I would let a garage have a go tbh

[mark-mk3gti]

I would let a garage have a go tbh

Yeah that's what I was thinking, just thought there maybe some old wives tale that would make them fly out, lol,

It is evident that there is no anti seize on the plugs, don't understand why u wouldn't put it on, really silly in my opinion, know people wud argue not to put it on, but old cars and all,

Anyway off to the garage at some point it will be...

Cheers Wayne...

Btw did u ever get that golf a while back? Mk3 wasn't it?

[Khare]

I'd spray a shot of plusgas around the plugs and use careful steady force to undo them. Use a breaker bar or something to make leverage. Do it with a stone cold engine too to avoid stripping the threads.

[thai-wronghorse]

As above, Id loosen them as much as you feel comfortable with then spray some Plusgas into the recesses then leave over night if possible then get a decent bar or ratchet on them the following day. Even if the one you did get out looked fine they've still got to come out at some point so why leave them longer?

[Bellend]

I'd spray a shot of plusgas around the plugs and use careful steady force to undo them. Use a breaker bar or something to make leverage. Do it with a stone cold engine too to avoid stripping the threads.

No, no, no, no, no.

Sorry.

DO NOT USE A BREAKER BAR IF THEY ARE THAT TIGHT. They sheer and you will be taking off the head.

Use a solid bar, not too big, and go back and forward in small amounts. Firm but not too firm. Hard to explain.

I'd let a garage do it if you aren't confident.

[Wayne]

Btw did u ever get that golf a while back? Mk3 wasn't it?

I had a mk3 a while ago, looking at mk4 1.8t or Leon 1.8t's at the moment.

[Khare]

I'd spray a shot of plusgas around the plugs and use careful steady force to undo them. Use a breaker bar or something to make leverage. Do it with a stone cold engine too to avoid stripping the threads.

No, no, no, no, no.

Sorry.

DO NOT USE A BREAKER BAR IF THEY ARE THAT TIGHT. They sheer and you will be taking off the head.

Use a solid bar, not too big, and go back and forward in small amounts. Firm but not too firm. Hard to explain.

I'd let a garage do it if you aren't confident.

I say a breaker bar so you can put some more force into it. I remember trying to undo the plug son the 8v for the first time since owning it and the standard spark plug tool wouldn't cut it, just hurt my hands. Got a deep socket, a small breaker bar and voila.

[snifferdog]

I had the exact opposite problem last week, one of my plugs had come loose and was wobbling about  Seems alright now Ive given it a tightening though 

[robz]

candle wax
couldnt resist mate