TidalVA

Anybody have any ideas on this?

Bought 6 new Denso spark plugs and a set of 3 NGK spark plug wires. Got started on the passenger side and swapped the old plugs with the new ones with no problem. Moved to the driver's side, and the existing wire sets did not want to come out. I use pliers and now have one plug wire broken off inside. Cant get pliers in there to pull if out and can't use the spark plug socket either. The other two existing wire sets won't budge.

Unless anybody has any ideas, I think I'll have to have it towed to a shop and see what they can do.

Just moved to Norfolk, VA and don't know who to go to on this. Thought I was saving money, but turns out it would have been cheaper and less time consuming to have gone to the dealer and have them do it.

Wish I had a mechanic would make a house call.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

If I was closer I would be glad to help.

Have you tried with long needle nose pliers??/ real thin razor knife to cut the boot once it is cut it should come off.

I guess it depends just where it broke.

Why do you think a mechanic anywhere would not have had the same issues as you.

you gotta put dielectric grease on these plug boots or you have just what you do

Good luck somebody gotta be close down there.

Texas_Ace

Go to sears/harbor freight and look for really long pliers and see if you can get them down in there to yank it off.

IIRC the same thing happened to me and I was able to get it out with this method.

DRCOFFEE

Well you can do two things. Go buy a spark plug wire plier which is designed to reach the plug wire on the spark plug. Or if you cant drive to the store, use a long screwdriver and break the plug at the porcelin. Pull out the top piece and then use the socket to remove the plug base.

MLiebal

I'd work the long needle nose twisting and pulling, if you break off the porcelin you might drop shlivers that could drop into the combustion chamber. Vacuum or blow out prior to removing the plug?
PIA, eh?
Might even try forcing a long small screwdriver in between the boot and plug to break it free.

rworegon

.....and with some PB Blaster, WD-40, etc. shot in there to help break the rubber from the porcelin.

TidalVA

Thanks, guys. Went to Harbor Freight for a couple different long pliers. Going to give it another go this afternoon and see what I can do. Will report back.

TidalVA

Gents - thanks for the support on this one.

I picked up the 3 pack of tube pullers for $9.99 and the straight pliers for $2.99 at Harbor Freight (photo below). The straight pliers allowed me to pull the broken boot from within one cylinder, and smallest tube plier, using some force, allowed me to remove the 2 remaining, stubborn boots. What a great and inexpensive investment.

Installed 6 new Denso K16TR11 (dual ground, OEM) plugs and the 3 pack NGK Ignition Wire Set #4412. During the test drive after replacement, the acceleration and response did seem improved, but it could be placebo effect. The old plugs were NGK BKR5EGP (see photo below). What do you think about the condition and gapping? Do they look beat?

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

Those are the wrong plugs for the 3.4 5vz motor. They look like platinums or iridiums. You'll be much better off running the standard oem plugs. Also the old plug looks a bit gapped out.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

Yes indeed the wrong plugs with the way these 3.4 engines fire it is a wonder it didn`t fry something

rworegon

It's crazy that the NGK sparkplug website lists NGK BKR5EGP and 3 other single electrode plugs as replacements for the 5vz-fe 3.4L engine, when the only proper replacement is the dual electrode NGK BKR5EKB11 or the Denso K16TR11.

TidalVA

Agreed, the NGK BKR5EGP does claim to be accurate for the motor, but I'm glad to go to factory recommended setup. I'm finding out all the things the previous owner did and didn't do.