# Broken spark plug

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-spark-plug/27850>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** sparkplugs, plug\
**Created:** [March 16, 2009, 4:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-spark-plug/27850 "2009-03-16T16:52:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rbperdomo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d6d6ee/32.png) [@rbperdomo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rbperdomo)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 4:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-spark-plug/27850/1 "2009-03-16T16:52:18Z")

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Broken spark plug in my Conversion Ram Van, not much room to remove the plug, any suggestions?

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**Author:** ![JayWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@JayWB](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JayWB)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 5:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-spark-plug/27850/2 "2009-03-16T17:06:47Z")

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It’s not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what’s required.  
– Sir Winston Churchill

It’s hard. That’s why we have mechanics. Remove it or have someone else remove it. There’s no magic.

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**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 6:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-spark-plug/27850/3 "2009-03-16T18:15:45Z")

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JayWB does sort of sum it up. What is broken exactly? Is the hex head on the plug intact? I have always had the best luck on stuck items with lots of PB blaster (or other similar product - not WD40), and lots of patience. I’ve often found that when I’m out of patience I need to go away until I find some more. If you don’t want to or can’t get it to a mechanic, I would take a deep socket, too small for the plug - something that will sit on it without damaging the hex head - spray plug w/ PB blaster, apply socket - tap tap tap with a hammer to help the PB work in. And I would do that a lot.

If it is hard to get to you might want to pick up some extra gadgets for your sockets - like a jointed extension or two. Whatever you do make sure to use a high quality spark plug socket of the correct size.

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**Author:** ![budd2049](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/77aa72/32.png) [@budd2049](https://community.cartalk.com/u/budd2049)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 10:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-spark-plug/27850/4 "2009-03-16T22:16:41Z")

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Do you mean an attempt was made to remove the plug, during which it snapped in two? If that’s the case, the cylinder head will probably have to come off.