Is it best to remove spark plugs when the engine is warm, hot or cold?
 

I have a 91 hatch std 1.5. I did a search on here, but couldn't find anything related to this. I've got one plug that turns hard when trying to take it out and I don't want to strip it. What engine temp is the best to remove it?

Re: Is it best to remove spark plugs when the engine is warm, hot or cold? (Hondaisok)
 

its best to do it when its cold.

in your case if its hard to get out cold try it warm and replace it warm

or if its hard to get out cold ... same as above lol

Re: Is it best to remove spark plugs when the engine is warm, hot or cold? (honda.lioness)
 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by honda.lioness &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">From the manual:

"Avoid spark plug removal while the engine is hot. Since the cylinder head spark plug threads are aluminum, the spark plug becomes tight due to the different coefficients of heat expansion. If a plug is too tight to be removed even while the engine is cold, apply a solvent around the plug followed with an application of oil once the solvent has penetrated the threads. Do this only when the engine is cold."

The best "solvent" I have found is called PB Blaster. I highly recommend it. One can buy it at autozone, Wal-Mart, and the like for around $5 a can.

If you strip the threads, I am confident the archives here have a lot of advice.</TD></TR></TABLE>
nuff said theses aluminum heads are really delicate and the best way to fix a striped thread would be removal of the head there is also another proces were u taper the head w/out removal of the head

Re: Is it best to remove spark plugs when the engine is warm, hot or cold? (dacrxguy)
 

the guy said he was worried about stripping he didn't say it was striped next time u take the plug out what i have found works really well so it doesn't squeak and act tough coming out apply a little dab of ANTI SEIZE on the threads it will withstand the heat and it will not allow the threads to be dry and hard to turn they will turn very free and work correctly i believe what your experiencing is just dry metal kinda like a squeaky door hinge

Re: Is it best to remove spark plugs when the engine is warm, hot or cold? (1990hondacrx)
 

definatly cold

Re: Is it best to remove spark plugs when the engine is warm, hot or cold? (honda.lioness)
 

I don't believe pb blaster is a solvent, it's an oil

a solvent would be something like lacquer thinner

Re: Is it best to remove spark plugs when the engine is warm, hot or cold? (accordaffair)
 

Do it while cold. This way you don't mess anything up while
torquing them back in.

Re: Is it best to remove spark plugs when the engine is warm, hot or cold? (jon4honda)
 

I actually did use antiseize when I installed them, but maybe I'm just a little paranoid about stripping them. I use PB Blaster all the time, so I'll try a little of that first and remove them cold.

I'm guessing its not a good idea to use my electric impact wrench to remove them?

no. use your rachet and extension and the correct spark plug socket

Re: (Go_Race_Your_Self)
 

so what about a comp. test? doest the motor need to be warm?

I'd agree, I don't see how solvent could help free tight bolts/spark plugs, but pb blaster would

Re: (accordaffair)
 

only cold. i wouldn't even do it warm. a normal rachet works best, and always use a torque wrench putting them back in. set to spec. again COLD

playing with it warm at all is asking for trouble