Although not an MX5 but could be a potential MX5 problem.
Car is a 2014 VW Golf 1.4ltr tsi with iridium plugs that should last 50/60,000 miles. (this is the cause of the problem by plugs not being changed regularly).
Basically i did a full engine service on number 2 Sons car today, all went well, engine oil and filter, air and pollen filters, then disaster struck when i disconnected and unbolted the coil packs.
1st coil pack was an absolute pig to remove as the spark plug had unwound at least a turn and a half resulting in compression blow-by which had cooked the coil tube and seized it to the plug, new plug fitted and coil tube lightly lubed until we can get new coil packs.
2nd coil pack head was snapped off and held in place by the coil pack bolt, car was and still is running fine but i didnât want to go any further until i can get the coil tube out.
I now need to get this tube off the plug before i attempt the rest of the plugs, i have a few ideas in my head but has anyone ideas or a specialised tool for this job.
Dave.
Squirt some WD40 down the tube and pull with long nose pliers, they only clip on to the plug
If the bit of coil pack still attached to the spark plug is a smaller diameter than the flats on the plug a long box type (usually steel) socket may go down over it and engage with the spark plug.
Not seen them for years, but theyâre like a length of steel tube with the end shaped to fit the flats on a bolt/nut whatever, and usually had different sizes on each end.
Thinking about it my chainsaw came with one.
Search for âbox spannerâ on eBay ⌠loads available
Have you sorted it Dave?
Looks like this car has individual pencil type coils, similar to the MK3 MX5?
The metal tube thickens as it gets further up.
Any chance of getting a pair of needle nose mole grips onto it?
Alternatively a tube spanner, like the one in the MX5 MK1 toolkit. You may have to crush the pencil coil tube so the tube will pass over it onto the spark plug hex.
Hi Rob, as it stands at the moment my local ECP will have them in stock tomorrow, so my Son has arranged to pick them up tomorrow night on his way home from work then itâs a case of him dropping his car off and borrowing one of my cars.
As i see it at the moment i have three or four options.
1, Flood the bottom of the spark plug recess with penetrating oil, wait for an hour or so and manipulate the coil tube so that the lube seeps in and allows me to pull it out.
Thanks SootySport for that suggestion.
2, Find a length of metal tube with an id the same size as the ceramic od which i would chamfer and ease it in between the plug and coil rubber, thats only if the bottom part snaps off low enough, as it is at moment only the coil head has snapped off. (something i should have burried in the garage).
3, Push a flat blade screw driver down the plug hole, twist and snap the ceramic hopefully leaving just the hex end of the plug exposedâŚi need to check this first in case the plug holes have thin tin liners as i donât want to damage those.
4, Locate a 16mm box spanner, (this is something i wouldnât give tool box room) and use brute force and ignorance.
Thanks to all for the suggestions, i will update when done.
Dave.
I now have a 5th option.
5, A 5/8"/16mm hole saw which slips nicely over the spark plug ceramic making the job a breeze if the boot end snaps off and is seized/welded to the plug.
Car is being dropped off tomorrow and weather dependant iâll get it sorted.
All done. With a combination of 5/8â hole saw, long nose pliers, WD40, a bent welding rod and 2 hours grunting and poking about, the final 2 plugs will be done next week when my lad takes a couple of days off work and i can get a free run at it.
