Monaro spark plug removal help

[Ian350]

Living far too remote from Monkfish I had the Monaro (6.0L VXR) serviced by a trusted local garage. However they did not change the spark plugs because they said the leads were stuck to the top of the plugs and asked if there was a special tool to remove them - the leads not the plugs.

I was surprised to hear this. Does it make sense? If so what is the answer?

Thanks

[blue666uk]

Also, it could be that they're just old and gotten really brittle - they have been known to disintegrate during removal.....

[Mud_]

Change the leads too, if they're original it's basically due and as above, you'll be lucky if they survive removal. No trick/tool, just bloody-mindedness. Magnecors can be had from monkfish in a hurry.

[SturdyHSV]

They can be bloody awkward to get off, the stock ones have a metal shield around them so just grab hold of that and give it a bloody good tug

It may well disintegrate in the process. Actual spark plug removal is just a matter of using a socket. Unless you have headers, in which case access may be a little awkward. In this instance, consider loosening the header bolts a little to give you room to get a socket in there (and off again once it's undone!)

There's no fancy trick or clip or anything though, just pull it

[maccavvy]

i went to change mine and 3 of the 8 leads fell apart.
I ordered the better than oe magnecor leads and they are better and fitted a treat
was a simple diy job to change the leads and plugs

[wozzza]

Changed my OE ones for some MSD ones. Think 2 of my OE ones died in the process.

[Aitch 'H']

I use long nose or point nose pliers and use the exhaust as a lever and they pop off easily

[Andy616]

Aitch 'H' said:

I use long nose or point nose pliers and use the exhaust as a lever and they pop off easily

Likewise, mine were really stuck on there but you can get them off carefully with pliers.

[motomk]

I used to go overkill and remove the "turtle cover" or engine cover and also the coil pack brackets, did involve undoing the large plug in the middle. ( Forgot to put this one back on one day, ran on 4 cylinders for 5 minutes, "where's all the power gone?")
It was mainly so I didn't get stabbed by the spiked bolts on top of the head covers. Had to be careful putting all the coil pack brackets back on again as it is easy to strip the head covers. Put anti-seize on the plugs so they are easier next time. Don't pull the actual spark plug lead wires, pull the heat shield to get them off. The originals are actually not too bad but sometimes their price puts them out of the picture.

[j666eds]

I got a set of magnacore leads you can have if yours are broken? I think they are all ok. I brought a new set because i had a misfire but turned out to be st new plugs that i brought.

[Yanayaya]

I have literally just had this problem myself. I had the Monaro serviced and parts of the lead remained attached to the plugs so I had to sort it our myself. They go brittle with the heat from the headers. I bought new leads from Monkfish (Magnecore) and I also invested in heatsocks to stop it happening in the future. Also when you put your new leads on apply a touch of copper grease to the ends of the plugs.

Here is one of my old leads, I had two of them do this.


New Leads from the Fish


Heat socks


New leads and socks in place

[Ian350]

Thanks for the replies and the offers of help everybody. Its good to know that my car is not unusual.

[SturdyHSV]

Keep an eye on the heatsocks, they made the problem worse on mine (AAS headers) as they ended up touching the headers, which meant the plug boots got even hotter and 2 of them failed within months.

The heatsocks looked to be the same as yours, from Summit.

[stevieturbo]

With decent leads, heat shocks should not be needed.

Often they turn into an oven trapping heat in instead of actually keeping it out.

Airflow and a decent air gap from hot parts is effective in its own right.