Spark plug & leads questions.

[Ant]

Hi a couple of questions about spark plugs and leads.

1) How on earth do you (what tool do you use to) undo spark plugs out? My socket set's spark plug socket doesn't seem to be able to fit over the spark plug, probably due to the amount of available clearence around the sides.

2) Once you've undone the spark plug how do you get it out of the hole, as it's quite deep and my fingers don't reach in that far (at least with enough room to grab hold of it)

3) Had a strange problem last night after a short journey where the car sounded really laboured and under powered, discovered that the spark lead was sparking across to the inlet manifold (upper section) obviously after trying to get the spark plug out the lead was closer to the manifold on replacement, I understand what this did, the sparking meant that the plug won't fire (or rarely) hence giving the sound and performance. I figure I have to replace the leads any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

[Blue MK2]

get a spark plug socket and ratchet. few quid from halfords.

it has a rubber grommet inside that holds your spark plug when you pull it out.

spark plug sockets are thinner and longer

standard VW leads are the best i think.

[Gambit]

Beru leads from EuroCarParts same as VAG use

[m4nesh]

got magnecor leads in mine and it makes the car alot smoother

Magnecor Leads available at Graham Goode about ?45

[Gambit]

co-incidently what is the socket size for 16v plugs??

[mk1]

My socket has 5/8 on the side, 16mm in new money .
I have used a piece of rubber pipe to retrieve-install the plugs.
Steve.  

[modulater]

The sparking your getting is the electrical current shorting out to the block from the HT lead rather than travel down the plug and across the electrode.

Electricity will always take the path with least resistance so that lovely engine block looks like home to a knackered plug lead.

As your saying the lead was closer to the manifold I guess you've got an 8 valve as the 16v ones are quite hard to short out as they have a nice plastic cap that cant physically touch anything.

Invest in a decent set of leads and also whilst your doing it change the rotor arm and dizzy cap as they too are probably in a poor state.

[Ant]

Okay feeling real dumb, my spark plug socket has a gromit and is the right size to get the spark plugs out, it was just that the gromit was preventing contact until I pushed it down (doh!)

However the plugs are really stiff to undo (haven't got one out yet) is this normal or have they been over tightened?

[mk1]

Give them a good pull, you won't break them in the head. (anticlock )
I take siezed plugs out with the enging hot (I know what the manuals say  ) works for me.
Steve.

[Ant]

Your right modulater, my father in law (2b) pulled the lead out of the cap and the coppers corroding we cleaned it up and the cars so much better (i think we may have solved the 'cold start' and idleing problems)

So we decided were going to change the lot including the sparks, then I'll know when everything was done.

So where's the best place to get all this gear from I've heard that lafords don't really stock the good gear.

Also the FL suggested triple electrode plugs, any one tried this and recommend or warn against?