OK, I am batting a thousand today. After replacing a non existent EGR valve gasket on my 87 2.8, I pat myself on the back and started a tuneup. I just bought this car about a month ago and want to make sure all the important stuff is all new. I started with the back set of plugs, with the cylinder on the drivers side first. The spark plug came out with out the threaded part of the spark plug. The threaded piece and electrode arm is still in the cylinder. I have no idea how frickin old these are or what kind of jag arse would let these go for so long but this is where I am. I have an easy out drill bit, but I tell you that back section against the firewall is a bear to work against. I had a shop light facing the block while i had a mirror reflecting the spark plug hole. Can anyone recommend what to do without pull the hole damn engine out to fix? I cant be the first or last person to have this happen. I did check, the front spark plugs are new and not of this age.....Also, the other two spark plugs against the firewall appear to have been stripped at the nut....If anyone knows who owned my car before me, PM me with the address lol..... Also, is it possible to pull the engine towards me to get to these? On my 90ish grand prix I could do that to access the firewall plugs.

[This message has been edited by jreigner (edited 05-27-2010).]

I just gave my 1987 V6 a tune up ALL BACK SPARK PLUGR ARS STRIPED

I SAID FU___K it I dont want to end up like UUUUUUUUUUU................

So I got 3 new ones it the car runs but she runs at 2,200 RPMs

Do u want to buy a fiero......

I am trying to find the humor in this situation. I am registered for Carlisle and need to find a related solution.

Yes you can pull the engine forward a bit after removing the dogbone. You can also swing the engine down a bit more by removing the rear cradle bolts and letting the engine swing on the front cradle bolts. Some folks change out their trans this way. The rear cradle bolt "witch hats" (tack welded nuts inside the frame rail) tend to be a bear if they have never been removed. I cut my frame open to access mine. You can reach them from the end of the rail too after removing the bumper cover.

EDIT: "Yes you can pull the engine forward" ummmm, I mean backward...lol

[This message has been edited by Hudini (edited 05-28-2010).]

Will I need to remove the axles to swing this down?

Unbolt the struts at the top if needed. All suspension is connected on the bottom to the cradle. Just be careful as you have lots of stuff that is not designed to move a whole lot. (brake lines, fuel lines, coolant lines, etc.)

Is this a common thing because of the location and water coming down this side or did i just get a lazy ex owner?

quote Originally posted by Hudini: Yes you can pull the engine forward a bit after removing the dogbone.

You can also loosen the motor mount nuts under the frame, then use a ratchet strap from an engine eye hook and the trunk latch to gain a couple of inches or room. Some folks remove the deck lid for even more access.

Many of us here have removed snapped off spark plugs, here is an excellent thread complete with pictures.
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/106331.html

quote Originally posted by jreigner: Is this a common thing because of the location and water coming down this side or did i just get a lazy ex owner?

I recently changed the plugs on mine as well. And I think they were the original factory plugs in there before I got to them. The #6 plug is rusted in pretty bad, and I can't even get the socket in/over it, to be able to get the plug out. So currently running on 5 new ones, and the old one in #6. Time to buy that LS4…

I just went thru this on my auto Formula.

It was hell.

I did eventually get the plug out.

It was the rear bank, farthest plug to the passenger side. To gain good access, I took off the dogbone, pushed the car as far forward as possible (while in park), appplied parking brake and blocked the wheels good. This rocked the engine rearward, helping with access. I then removed the upper intake plenum, which gained me some additional space for access.

After that, I got myself an easy out. The round, reverse threaded kind. (I forget the number but think it was a #5). Drove it into the damaged plug as well as I good, applied a lot of pressure and leverage on the wrench I used to turn it, and was able to finally back it out. It didn't come willingly, but it came. Some liquid wrench sprayed on the threads might have helped a little too.

All I can say is good luck. Getting decent access to apply good pressure and maintain good leverage on the wrench was the biggest challenge, and even then it was difficult.

Best of luck!

The electrode is still in there rite? Not good. Youll probably have to pull the head. If it where only the threads an easyout would work fine. Sorry dude.

quote Originally posted by jreigner: OK, I am batting a thousand today. After replacing a non existent EGR valve gasket on my 87 2.8, I pat myself on the back and started a tuneup. I just bought this car about a month ago and want to make sure all the important stuff is all new. I started with the back set of plugs, with the cylinder on the drivers side first. The spark plug came out with out the threaded part of the spark plug. The threaded piece and electrode arm is still in the cylinder. I have no idea how frickin old these are or what kind of jag arse would let these go for so long but this is where I am. I have an easy out drill bit, but I tell you that back section against the firewall is a bear to work against. I had a shop light facing the block while i had a mirror reflecting the spark plug hole. Can anyone recommend what to do without pull the hole damn engine out to fix? I cant be the first or last person to have this happen. I did check, the front spark plugs are new and not of this age.....Also, the other two spark plugs against the firewall appear to have been stripped at the nut....If anyone knows who owned my car before me, PM me with the address lol..... Also, is it possible to pull the engine towards me to get to these? On my 90ish grand prix I could do that to access the firewall plugs.

Sent you an email.

Dont forget to SOAK the plugs good with some penetrating oil!

Also, are you able to possibly maybe get a needle nose visegrip in there to grab anything? Its a long shot, but...??
-Chris

Thank you all so much for your help, I am going to lay the smack down on this Saturday, probably wont be done if i take my time but Ill keep you guys posted. This fiero community rocks!

Just put closure on this thread, I had to loosen the strut towers,lower the cradle about 8 inches to douse the plug with PB blaster and remove with an easy out. I used #6 bit. Total time was about 3 hours start to finish, taking my time. BTW, I did not screw with the 2 remaining on the side. Thanks for everyones help!

Glad you got it out. I think it's pretty common for this bank of plugs to be ignored by the normal DIY mechanic. I pulled all mine and put in new plugs when I had the engine out so when I had to replace the plugs recently (trying to track down a misfire) they came out pretty easily. If you ever have to pull the motor, just put the other two on your list of things to do before you put it back in.

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Dave

www.ltlfrari.com