Chging spark plugs....one plug won't engage socket

[markjenn]

Hi, anybody ran into this problem? I'm changing spark plugs on my 2012 for the first time and for three of the four plugs, a 5/8" spark plug socket works fine. But for the right side plug on #1, I can't get the socket to engage the spark plug hex. It acts like something is interfering or perhaps the well around the plug is narrower on this particularly plug. Unfortunately, it's at an angle where I can't actually look into the plug hole and see what is going on.

Any ideas?

- Mark

 

[Don in Lodi]

Trying to remember, it seems to me the socket had to drop exactly straight down or the head would interfere. Sometimes 12 point sockets have thinner walls than a six point, might make the difference in getting the clearance.
Oh, and the rubber boot from the end of the coil didn't stay down there, did it?

 

[markjenn]

Thanks for quick response..... it's more serious than this. I finally got a mirror at the right angle and there is something between the hex and the surrounding wall jammed in there which is preventing the socket from going down over the plug. Almost looks like weld/slag. I was very careful to blow out any debris from the area too. I'm going to see if I can get a decent picture.

- Mark

 

[Twisties]

It sounds like you may have a problem, but I recall the first time I did it before going to the Yukon, there was one plug I couldn't get. After I got back I picked up a set of ratcheting box end wrenches and it was a breeze. Only issue is that I can't use a torque wrench on the replacements installation.

 

[markjenn]

Looks like a small stone or something is wedged down in there.... now to figure out a way to get it out. Just wish I could see what the heck I was doing.

- Mark

 

[Travex]

Was going to guess a stone. Can you get in there with an awl or small screwdriver?

 

[Andylaser]

Maybe an airline or a can of compressed air can blow it out.

 

[Ramseybella]

Maybe an airline or a can of compressed air can blow it out.

Small vacuum hose?

What plugs are you installing into your bike?

 

[trikepilot]

I have had great luck grabbing all kinds of stuff in weird places with a tool like this:

 

[markjenn]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've tried repeated blasts of compressed air but it won't budge.... it is wedged in there, perhaps because I've repeatedly tried to push a socket down on it. I've also tried a couple of sharp pointed tools but the fact the spark plug well is so deep, space so limited, and how you're working blind makes this tough. What I don't want to do is get something additional wedged in there or have it break off that is more troublesome than the original problem.

i think my best approach is to take a spark plug socket and grind a slot in the wall so that the socket will go down over the object. Then I bet I can torque is sideways and get it to dislodge. Might even be able to make it so I can get underneath it and pull upwards. Worst case, I can start torquing the plug out with the rock still there, although I want to avoid this if I can as I could see it falling into the engine. The cheapo socket in the toolkit is probably a good candidate for this as I can dremel it to be "stone removal tool."

Wish me luck. I'm leaving on tour in a few days, so I just buttoned it back up with three new plugs and one old. I'll get to it this fall sometime. I'm going to take the tank completely off too which will help.

Thanks for all the help guys.

- Mark

 

[markjenn]

What plugs are you installing into your bike?

Stock OEM NGK's.

- Mark

 

[markjenn]

BTW, even though I have 23K miles on the original plugs, they look in VERY good shape. I think Yamaha's factory-recommended 12K swap schedule is extremely conservative.

- Mark

 

[VPS1]

Careful, if its still there as you pull the plug, it may drop into the cylinder??

 

[Travex]

Sounds like a good plan. Good luck with it and please do follow up as I'm interested in your solution. ::008::

 

[Ramseybella]

Careful, if its still there as you pull the plug, it may drop into the cylinder??

Hell yes it will You know it will!! Don't do that!!! ???

Murphy's law and Newtons law odds are way better than the odds for hitting the winning lottery on this one brother!!

This must be a pain in the neck to see but somehow you need to get a small metal hooked pick down at it and try to unjam it as the rock seems to be above the hex it has a gap under it.
Time for Surgeon Feel, Patience and skill but don't get postal over it. aggravating stuff indeed like locking your keys in your rolled up window car..

 

[scott123007]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've tried repeated blasts of compressed air but it won't budge.... it is wedged in there, perhaps because I've repeatedly tried to push a socket down on it. I've also tried a couple of sharp pointed tools but the fact the spark plug well is so deep, space so limited, and how you're working blind makes this tough. What I don't want to do is get something additional wedged in there or have it break off that is more troublesome than the original problem.

i think my best approach is to take a spark plug socket and grind a slot in the wall so that the socket will go down over the object. Then I bet I can torque is sideways and get it to dislodge. Might even be able to make it so I can get underneath it and pull upwards. Worst case, I can start torquing the plug out with the rock still there, although I want to avoid this if I can as I could see it falling into the engine. The cheapo socket in the toolkit is probably a good candidate for this as I can dremel it to be "stone removal tool."

Wish me luck. I'm leaving on tour in a few days, so I just buttoned it back up with three new plugs and one old. I'll get to it this fall sometime. I'm going to take the tank completely off too which will help.

Thanks for all the help guys.

- Mark

A little late now, but you're on the right track. If you can find some thin wall pipe that is big enough (3/4 copper tubing, maybe?) to fit around the plug but small enough to fit in the plug hole, and then cut a diagonal slot out a part of it to fit around the rock, so that as you turn the tool it lifts the rock. Your plan may work also as long as the wrench doesn't spread under torque as it tries to loosen the plug, and make the situation worse.

 

[Reveille]

I hope you get that out cleanly. I changed my plugs today along with my buddies. No issues on either bike. All 4 came out and went in easy peasy. It took an hour for the first bike and 45 minutes for the second. The hardest part for me was getting the vent hose reattached to the air box.

 

[markjenn]

The hardest part for me was getting the vent hose reattached to the air box.

Don't remind me.... I have wounds on my arm from that job. I don't think Yamaha spent much time checking for tool clearance and the like under the tank.... lots of awkward situations. I'm dreading the valves but probably will sell the bike before they are due.

- Mark

 

[corndog]

Are the stock plugs in the ST Iridium? If not shame on Yamaha, is there an Iridium plug available?

 

[Tippo]

I had the same problem this summer with the left hand plug. It's very hard to see down there. I used a small led flashlight taped to my inspection mirror. In my case it was a little piece of threaded brass that broke off the bar mount for my XM radio. i spent 8 hours hunched over before I was able to fish it out with a piece of safety wire. My back hurt for days. Good luck,

To anyone removing plugs from a S-10 - Make sure the top of the head is clean before you pull the coils.

Jeff