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

Hondaisok · 11-05-2008, 03:27 AM

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?

sleepingciv · 11-05-2008, 06:16 AM

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

dacrxguy · 11-05-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honda.lioness

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.

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

1990hondacrx · 11-05-2008, 03:59 PM

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

jon4honda · 11-05-2008, 04:33 PM

definatly cold

accordaffair · 11-05-2008, 04:39 PM

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

a solvent would be something like lacquer thinner

bharry07 · 11-05-2008, 04:54 PM

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

Hondaisok · 11-06-2008, 03:17 AM

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?

Go_Race_Your_Self · 11-06-2008, 04:02 AM

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

EFstyle · 11-06-2008, 04:06 AM

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

accordaffair · 11-06-2008, 09:36 AM

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

zrickety · 11-06-2008, 01:29 PM

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

11-05-2008, 03:27 AM	#1
Hondaisok Honda-Tech Member 1991 Honda Civic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Vermont, USA Posts: 227 iTrader Rating: (0)	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?

11-05-2008, 06:16 AM	#2
sleepingciv Honda-Tech Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: warsaw, indiana, usa Posts: 1,974 iTrader Rating: (2)	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 __________________ my vouch thread, but Google my screen name http://www.hondamarketplace.com/show....php?t=3014109

11-05-2008, 03:59 PM	#4
1990hondacrx Honda-Tech Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: louisville, ky, usa Posts: 504 iTrader Rating: (0)	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 __________________ My Crx Build Thread: http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2782503

11-05-2008, 04:33 PM	#5
jon4honda Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2008 Location: stuarts draft, va, usa Posts: 156 iTrader Rating: (0)	Re: Is it best to remove spark plugs when the engine is warm, hot or cold? (1990hondacrx) definatly cold __________________ 1993 honda del sol JDM B16 1989 honda civic hatch D15 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btt-V...eature=related

11-05-2008, 04:39 PM	#6
accordaffair Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: stuart, FL, USA Posts: 89 iTrader Rating: (0)	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

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11-05-2008, 04:54 PM	#7
bharry07 Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 8 iTrader Rating: (0)	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. __________________ 96 Cabby 78 Rabbit JDM=German.....almost http://images.honda-tech.com/set1/smile/embeer.gif

11-06-2008, 03:17 AM	#8
Hondaisok Honda-Tech Member 1991 Honda Civic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Vermont, USA Posts: 227 iTrader Rating: (0)	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?

11-06-2008, 04:02 AM	#9
Go_Race_Your_Self Two Piece 1993 Honda Del Sol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: With Beavis and Butthead, DE Posts: 450 iTrader Rating: (0)	no. use your rachet and extension and the correct spark plug socket __________________ *I <3 my DelSol* *'93 Si Del Sol- Stock B16A with basic bolt ons. 154hp/109tq 93 pump*

11-06-2008, 04:06 AM	#10
EFstyle Honda-Tech Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Slinger, WI Posts: 937 iTrader Rating: (0)	Re: (Go_Race_Your_Self) so what about a comp. test? doest the motor need to be warm? __________________ '98 CX Hatch

11-06-2008, 09:36 AM	#11
accordaffair Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: stuart, FL, USA Posts: 89 iTrader Rating: (0)	I'd agree, I don't see how solvent could help free tight bolts/spark plugs, but pb blaster would

11-06-2008, 01:29 PM	#12
zrickety Honda-Tech Member 1991 Honda CRX Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cordele, GA, US Posts: 1,699 iTrader Rating: (1)	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 __________________ 91 Crx Si (B16 SiR) http://crxcommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=32702

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