plug wire removal?

MODERN ELECTRIC · February 19, 2007

Tried to pull, twits, pry them off. But no good. Any special tips/tools required so asa not to destroy the wires and boots in the process?

Low tech,I know but still baffled. 97,000 on the 8.1L and time to tune up a bit.

Thanks.

C & A s Dad · February 20, 2007

Mark, uncderstand this suggestion is coming from a guy who makes his living selling auto parts. Buy a set of wires and simply put some muscle into the ones on the truck and pull them off. Even if you are successful in taking them off with no external damage, you have likely damaged them internally and you will have some problems down the road.

There are several tools out there that will assist in getting them off but my suggestion is with a 5 year old truck and the miles you have, you better replace the wires as well as the plugs.

BTW, be sure and put the plugs back in with a small amt of anti seize on the threads and some dielectric grease in the boots so they will not stick so bad next time. Permatex makes both of these products in a small one time use packet.

Norseman · February 20, 2007

Yep I'm with Trey on this, buy some new wires and use the dielectric grease in the boots.

cbxeric · February 20, 2007

Ditto. The old ones will either come off in pieces, or the boot will come off and leave the lead still attached to the plug. That was my experience anyway. I got some fancy blue NGK wires and grease. I also invested in a spark plug boot wrench, saves the knuckles and way better leverage.

Regards Eric.

ontheedge02 · February 21, 2007

I have had the best luck by grabbing the boot and wiggling it up-down or left-right until it comes off. This seems to work better than pulling it straight off. I can usually get them off in one piece, but there may still be some internal damage as others have mentioned.

Ditto on the antiseize and dielectic grease.

Good Luck!