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                                                14th October 2011, 11:16 PM
                                        
                                
                                
                                        
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			Spark plugs stuck in 2000 P38
		
		
				
					
					
				
				
		
			
				
					I've just bought another P38. It's a 2000 model 4.6 HSE with the Thor motor. i've now got to move all the stuff I've spent 3 years putting on the old one over to it, ie. dual batteries, driving lights, etc.
However, my first job is to fully service the beast. Cooling hoses, oils, brake pads, spark plugs......
First problem, I can't get the spark plugs out!!!
They are smaller than normal, so I assume they are the long life ones. Probably been in for ever!
I could just lean on them with a bloody big bar, but I'm scared I'll strip the threads.
Should I undo them when the engine is hot or cold?
				
			 
			
		 
			
				
			
				
			
			
			
		 
	 
	
	
 
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                                                15th October 2011, 06:55 AM
                                        
                                
                                
                                        
                                                #2
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                
                        
		 
		
	 
	
		
		
		
				
				
		
			
				
					All of them are seized?
WD40 is an option after a good clean up.
I would park the 38 up in a way that  allows you to fill the spark plug recesses with WD40 and let it sit over night, lean it over as much as you can.
If you get one loose, i wouldnt just take it all the way out in one go (unless it is obviously turning out nice and smoothly) run it in and out so that you clean up the thread.
Make sure you have a good quality spark plug socket, if you dont have a good one i would be going out and buying one, no cheap charlie crap for this job or it will be heads off or a visit from the Thread doctor.
				
			 
			
		 
			
				
			
			
			
		 
	 
	
	
 
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                                                15th October 2011, 07:04 AM
                                        
                                
                                
                                        
                                                #3
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                
                        
		 
		
	 
	
		
		
		
				
				
		
			
				
					At operating temp. The alloy heads expand slightly more than the steel plugs. This is one of the reasons NGK plugs **** me off, they get seriously stuck when left for ages. Plug hex is 5/8, and is used across a wide range of modern vehicles. Doesn't mean anything special. The older 13/16 hex plugs fit just fine. The heat range is the same as for the older motors too.
				
			 
			
		 
			
			
			
				
					Last edited by p38arover; 22nd October 2011 at 07:20 AM.
				
				
			
			
			
				
			
			
			
		 
	 
	
	
 
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                                                15th October 2011, 08:14 AM
                                        
                                
                                
                                        
                                                #4
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                
                        
		 
		
	 
	
		
		
		
				
				
					
				
		
			
				
					Warning:
If you hang off a bar with the 5/8" socket onto the plugs, they are likely to break at the stress raiser point that is the step down from spark plug body to hex section. It is very hard to get them out then, especially numbers 7 and 8 
Be careful!!
JC
				
			 
			
		 
			
				
			
			
			
		 
	 
	
	
 
		
		
		
	
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
		
		
		
		
			
				
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