Any ideas on how to remove a rounded off spark plug?
 

I started out with 21mm socket, I thought that was the right size but apparently not!! Anyway, I went to a 13/16th but it's too late. It finished off the sides that weren't already gone. Now the socket spins right around without any purchase.

It's a stock 12A, bottom plug on the front rotor. The oil line is in the way from the bottom to use vise grips. The A/C compressor is in the way from the top. I need something like a pipe wrech socket if there is such a thing.

A few things you can try.
1. try making it into a 20mm with a dremel tool
2. buy a bolt-out socket set for sears and then break the ceramic end off, then extract it.

Breaking off the ceramic is rather a mortal wound. You either get it out afterwards or you are totally screwed. Hell, no one in town even carries the damn things. It's special order item.

The plug is history anyway,,face-it !! remove the A/C compresser or whatever to get to it, thats a no-brainer. you know no-brainer like rounding off a spark plug.
c'mon now......

vice grips might be able to do it. As you've probably figured out its a us size socket, afaik all spark plugs use standard sizes, not metric.

You could always try a size smaller socket and tapping it on with a hammer this works. I've done it afew times on other things but never on my rex engine. Hey anythings worth a try.

^^ I'd try that first. If that doesn't work then remove the AC compressor and use vice grips.

I don't know how you managed to round it off even with wrong socket because the plugs should never be installed that tight anyway. Next time you might strip the threads in the housing.

I put the damn thing in there. And I know I didn't torque it that tight. I tighen them finger tight then less than a 1/4 turn with a socket. Just enough so they won't vibrate loose. The other three came right out with no problem.

I've decided to leave it alone for now. When I actually get some new plugs I'll worry about it then.

Thanx all. Cleaning the jets fixed the rough idle anyway.

Channel Locks!

Pop over to the Sears at Columbiana Center. They used to have a lot of specialty tools for stuff like that.

AHAHAHAHA! :rofl:

ummmm, why is that funny??

brewerbob, im sure youll find a way to get it out. theres alot of suggestions here and sometimes these kind of things just take you getting out thee and trying a few different ideas. the same methods dont always work for everyone. Id try clearing space for the vicegrips. Just my fifth of a dime:wink:

griprite ? i was told to try a griprite by a mechanic here in town ? cause i have the same problem on my bottom right plug...i just need the money for a griprite :D

(the guy that owned it b4 me took it to a domestic car shop..and they cranked down on it...)

I'm glad that amuses you... I think. :scratch:

Same question here, sort of. I stripped the bolt that holds down the fuel lines on the carburetor. The metal tubes, a gold bolt. Vicegrips aint workign to loosen it.

It leaks gas. . . .

Oh, Christ!! You are in big trouble now. I bent the bracket myself trying to get is all apart.

Did you screw up the threads in the carb? Or just the bolt? That is a specialized bolt, you can't just run down to Lowes and get another. I doubt you'll find a carb in a junkyard either.

Try retapping and dieing the threads and bolt. If that doesn't work get a new bolt. If you really messed up the threads, you are going have to oversize it and use a helicoil, if you can find the right threads.

Try http://www.mazdarecycling.com/ or
http://www.mazdatrix.com/

What the hell is that?

http://www.playerschoicetennis.com/s...teproducts.gif http://www.playerschoicetennis.com/s...roducts_id/207

I'm finding whatever you are referring to.

lol, i dont think thats what he was talking about.

Are you talking about a griprite brand?

here's an ol' skool fashion technique that works.

get a medium, or small sized vice grip, wrap the left and right side of the nose w/ rubber band and place it on the spark plug. adjust it perfectly so when you lock it on to the spark plug, it won't loose grip no matter what. set it up to virgin tight. that should be able to solve your problem. :bigthumb:

Dont bother the knock off the ceramic. You wont be able to drill into it and ez out it. I tried drilling a sparkplug one time. Next to impossible. Maybe a masonary bit might work, but then unless you have an angle drill you wont have the room to use it.

Remove whatever you need to and use vice grips.

Jay, that bolt is a PITA. The hex on it sux0rs and strips easy. Get a good bite with the vice grips and smack it with a hammer. The shock will loosen it most times.

by smacking it w/ the hammer, it could also damage the socket hole where the spark plug resides. just a thought. ;)

but yes, the vice grip w/ rubber bands will work.

He was talking about hitting the bolt on the carby:wink:

It's a specialty bolt? Ew.

Fortunately, I just so happen to have kept my old carb, rather than selling it, so I have a LOVELY doner bolt.

I THINK I just stripped the head, but, if it's leaking, then there must be soemthing else wrong, no?

So, tighten the vice grips AMAP, and smack them with a hammer?

Sounds like a plan!

Also, am I officially using THAT much more gas by letting it leak? It's a big leak, but, I'd imagine it's just performance getting hit, rather than mileage, right?

Again, I know nothing, so, please correct me if I'm wrong (as if you needed my permission :D)

Peace

Also, what size is the bolt? I can't remember the size of wrench I was using, but it MUST have been wrong, lol.