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Help socket stuck in spark plug tube

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Theregulator187, Aug 15, 2023.

  1. Theregulator187

    Theregulator187 New Member

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    Ivw got a big pair on needle nose pliers and I can grab the head of the spark plug I'm think I need to break the spark plug but again not sure how to go about it the head of the plug is sticking through the top of the socket and I feel like I'm out of options.
     
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    maybe try a thin metal tube like a bit of brake line. Push both ends of a strong guitar string through it so that you have a loop sticking out one end, and both ends of the string out the other.

    Then you can dip the loop end into the plug well, try to snare the plug connector. Then pull the wire tight from the top end and use that to haul it out.

    Worth a shot anyway.
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Is the spark plug completely unscrewed?
     
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Do we have a way to nominate things for a Redavination Award?
     
  5. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Even google didn't help me with this word :(
     
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I was involved once with someone whose whole family used it, so I picked it up. A private coinage, perhaps, but I wouldn't mind if it spread. It applies to things exactly like guitar strings in brake lines used for stuck-socket plucking.
     
  7. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Ah excellent! I was worried it was the sort of thing that got people thrown into volcanoes.

    Thinking through a refinement of the idea: a larger loop might allow getting under the socket itself, not just the connector bulb at the top of the plug. A second (or even a third) wire might provide a better grip.

    And a stainless steel drinking straw might be easier to come up with than a spare bit of brake line.
     
  8. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    For some, I suppose.

    I've got no stainless drinking straws, but a roll or two of brake line, plus other similar metal tubing.
     
  9. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Active Member

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    Well baring Redavination.....

    As asked above by Mendel, Is the spark plug 100% loose/ unscrewed?
    (I guess that could be confirmed by the movement of the tip seen through the stuck socket).

    Those Harbor Freight hemostat pliers or even doctor's hemostats seem like the next choice.
    Apply some penetrating oil between the tube and the stuck socket.
    Maybe even some heat, from a hair dryer/ heat gun tool.

    If I read correctly, gluing a second socket had that second socket also got stuck.....try a smaller diameter socket.

    Could be you are at the point of valve cover removal.
    It has been a week, and a few hours on this removal should be the next step.
    I suggest you get a service manual for this process and you also need some new gaskets.
    Might even check for the availability of replacement tubes.
    I do not know if the tube will "Kamakaszi" with cover removal or how the tube attaches....screw in or press in/ stays with valve cover or stays with the head.

    Good luck, let us know.
    A sad Murphy's Law story.
     
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  10. Theregulator187

    Theregulator187 New Member

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    No can't unscrew it
     
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  11. ws309

    ws309 Junior Member

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    Use a small pipe wrench on the top of the tube and is you can get it to wiggle keep doing that until the tube comes off.
     
  12. Theregulator187

    Theregulator187 New Member

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    Tried jb welding a second socket and that didn't work second socket got stuck too but got it out with an impact wrench tubes are pressed in I tried to get them out because that was the next thing I was going to try and just can't get them to budge. Valve cover gasket is new already. Not sure if service Manuel will have anything about moving the tubes.
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    so the object is to pull the socket off the plug, and out. Did you try long-reach needle nose pliers? Not sure if it’s possible, but worth a try.

    a really strong magnetic reach tool might do it too.
     
  14. Theregulator187

    Theregulator187 New Member

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    My issues with that is I haven't been able to find new tubes online and I don't want to bend the tube because it is soft and aluminum.
     
  15. Theregulator187

    Theregulator187 New Member

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    Yes I did and magnet isn't strong enough tried a couple different ones.
     
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  16. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Are you able to take a photo down the hole so we can see what we're actually dealing with?
    This is so ridiculous, it seems like we must be missing something obvious. Is the outer diameter of the socket wedged to the tube wall?

    Most plug sockets have a hex at the top. Does yours?
     
  17. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    That sounds like the root of the problem, I don't think a plug socket was used. That's why it was too short and the spark plug is now poking through the middle of the socket, preventing reengagement of the socket extension into the socket for removal.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  18. Theregulator187

    Theregulator187 New Member

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    That is correct
     
  19. Theregulator187

    Theregulator187 New Member

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    It was a short socket grabbed my wrong extension there is some pb blaster in the hole
     

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  20. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    But now the plug and socket are glued together with JB Weld?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.