Uhhh.. *Bink* Awe cripe!!!

Problem: I was changing the spark plugs on my 2.5L 4 cyl. today, one of the plugs the previous owner installed had rusted at the base. It weaken the metal enough that it wrenched right off leaving the lower portion of the plug still in the head!

Solution: First, stomp, shout, and rant & rave for a few minutes. Once I got that out of my system, I soaked up the threads with liquid wrench because it took almost no force to snap the plug, wasn't sure if the plug was frozen in the head. Next, used an EZ-out to back the plug out of the head. I was fearing the EZ-out would break the electrode off in the cylinder, pretty scary moments trying to think of the best approach. One wrong move, and your outa luck. Anyway, went with the EZ-out and used a pipe on the wrench. Gave it about a dozen or so quick tugs and the plug started to back out! Woo Hoo! Did the electrode snap off? NO, *phew* Yea, HOO!

Here's a picture of the plug:

Preventative maintenance for the 2.5L guys. Use anti-seize or grease on the plug threads and metal socket portion. By design, water likes to sit around the plugs and corrode them. If the previous owner had greased those puppies, I wouldn't have had as much fun today.

[This message has been edited by Tigger (edited 07-03-2001).]

Doesn't it feel great when those EZ outs work. Good job! : :

I had a mechanic install my plugs, but I supplied both the plugs and anti-sieze. I changed the plugs the time before, and they were tough to get out because of the rust. Next time should be a breeze, except for the gymnastics involved for the three inside plugs (V6).

Wow, I've never seen one break like that. usually it's just teh ceramic from what I see. Personally, I change my plugs like once every 6 months so they don't get too messy. But anti-sieze is definitely a must....

Yea, where it broke, the edge is paper thin. Looking at it closer, it almost looks like it might have started to leak in a spot.

Ya ha! Gotcha beat!

The top of the metal part rolls over the ceramic and is quite thin there. The vent is right over the engine in the '84 and rain water sits in the plug wells where it rusts the plugs.

I was driving down the road when the entire ceramic part was shot out the top of the plug. Talk about a lot of noise and rough engine. The ceramic was still in the plug wire. The metal was still in the block. Hex part just twisted off like you saw. I used the ez out just as you did and it worked too.

[This message has been edited by SteveJ (edited 07-03-2001).]

It's deja vu all over again. That's the exact same thing that happened to me about a year ago. I got it out the same way too except that I used a large cresent wrench.

Congradulations for dodging the bullet.

Wow, got me beat on that one SteveJ.

You should get in the habbit of changing your
plugs more often than in any other car when you own a Fiero. Doesn't matter if it's a 4 or 6cyl. water lays around those plugs and rusts them into the head or rusts the nut away so that you can't get them out.

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Dave Gunsul
N.I.F.E. member
86 GT modified
85 SE daily driver

Exact same thing happened to me right after I bought my car last year except the ceramic blew right out of the lower portion while I was driving (Same as SteveJ. I wondered why the previous owner got that funny look on his face when I asked about tune ups!! Thank God for ease outs. Short story is she runs a lot better now with all four plugs in and changed regularly. This is way too common! Regular change is very important since the plug wells collect all that moisture through the grill.

[This message has been edited by FieroSoul (edited 07-05-2001).]

When I changed the plugs on my car it was very difficult. I was told that it would be but was not prepared for the rust deposits on ALL 6 plugs.
The rear were so difficult that I almost took the car to the dealer to have them do it but that would negate the reason I was doing it myself in the first place- to be sure that the plugs closest to the firewall were actually changed.
The plugs were rust-seized into the block at all six points. Had to climb into the 'trunk' to get a grip on the rears. Flex head socket with extension made it much better. Plugs were still very difficult. I'm not sure if it was that they were rusted, or that I was concentrating on applying just the right amount of torque to loosen them and not bust them off.
I think the plugs nearest the firewall were the originals or maybe the second set. Amazing how people let cars go!!

Sly