Spark plugs

I think they are 4 to 5 inches down in the head (approximately), you certainly can't get at them with your fingers.
If it's a spark plug specific tool or socket they should come with some form of rubber or magnetic grip for the spark plug, so it's usually not an issue.

Scimike wrote: I think they are 4 to 5 inches down in the head (approximately), you certainly can't get at them with your fingers.
If it's a spark plug specific tool or socket they should come with some form of rubber or magnetic grip for the spark plug, so it's usually not an issue.

I've got a few from over the years. Some do, some don't. The description of the Sealey one on their website doesn't say about a rubber insert, or it being magnetic.

You can buy a specific spark plug socket with them on to go on an extension but it needs to be an extension that locks on onto the socket or you end up pulling the extension out, leaving the socket on the spark plug when you've tightened it up and no way to get it out! Been there, got the T shirts!

That's where these long tools work but if they don't grip the spark plug you end up un-screwing the plug and being left with it down the hole and not being able to get hold of it unless you can reach it with long nose pliers. Then you have to drop it in the hole without bashing the tip out of gap and not cross threading it.

So the ultimate tool is a socket on an extension that lock together with a rubber insert in the socket to grip the plug, or a tool like the Sealey one if it has the rubber insert or is magnetic.

Kirkynut

I have seen cheap tube plug spanners and some T bar without a grip system, but all of my sockets have use a rubber grip system and lock onto the extension.But you are correct, it is worth checking the one you purchase grips the plug.
A negative with the rubber gripper is if the socket gets oil covered it can cause the gripper to remain on the plug, usually once removed and subsequent thrown into the bin with the old plug !
But like everything it's not a bad job to do once you have the correct tool.

Sealey AK6552 has rubber insert. Chris

CC Baxter wrote: Sealey AK6552 has rubber insert. Chris

Boom! That makes it ideal!

Kirkynut

Scimike wrote: I have seen cheap tube plug spanners and some T bar without a grip system, but all of my sockets have use a rubber grip system and lock onto the extension.But you are correct, it is worth checking the one you purchase grips the plug.
A negative with the rubber gripper is if the socket gets oil covered it can cause the gripper to remain on the plug, usually once removed and subsequent thrown into the bin with the old plug !
But like everything it's not a bad job to do once you have the correct tool.

If the rubber grip gets covered in oil and comes out, clean it with brake cleaner and push it back in place with a suitably sized socket.

Kirkynut