When your car engine begins to misfire or takes forever to start, you know it’s time to replace the spark plugs. You can do the job very easily if you have previous experience working with car engine parts.
You only need to know how to take apart a spark plug and install a new one. Luckily, taking apart spark plugs isn’t a complex task and you have to target one plug at a time, separate the spark-plug wire, and then remove the plug gently from its housing.
Here we will discuss how you can take apart a blown-out spark plug. We will also tell you some tips and tricks so that you can change each plug without any hassle at all. Let’s dive right in.
How To Take Apart Spark Plug: Step-by-Step Guide
As we have mentioned before, taking apart a spark plug is pretty simple even if you have little knowledge about your car engine. Below is a step-by-step procedure for removing a spark plug from the car engine. Follow the steps to complete the task with ease.
Step 1) Get New Spark Plugs
Before taking apart the old spark plugs, you need to purchase new plugs of the right size. Check out the owner’s manual that came with our car to know the exact size of the spark plugs. If you fail to find the manual, follow the next steps first to remove at least one spark plug and then take it to the hardware store to find out the correct size.
Step 2) Locate the Spark plugs
You need to open the hood of your car first. There you’ll notice a set of 4, 6, or 8 thick and black wires spreading in different ways inside your engine compartment. The spark plugs are placed at the end portion of these wires.
If you have a v4 engine with 4 cylinders, the plugs will be placed in a row near the top or side portion of the engine. As for the v6 or v8 engines, the 6 or 8 spark plugs will be evenly placed towards the side of your car engine. In case you fail to locate the plugs, check out the owner’s manual to easily find them.
Step 3) Gather the Necessary Tools
If you have been driving the car before changing the plugs, you need to wait until the car engine becomes cool. Then clean the area around the spark plugs with a dry rag or a paintbrush. Cleaning the area is important as it will ensure that no dirt or junk falls into the plug’s hole while you remove it.
Now you need to gather some necessary tools including-
- A ratchet
- Extension bar
- Rounded off spark plug socket
- Spark gap gauge
You’ll also need a spark plug cutter and a broken spark plug removal tool if the spark plug is broken or crooked inside the hole.
Step 4) Pull the Boot
The boot is the particular place where the wire is connected to the spark plug’s head. It’s always recommended to start removing one spark plug at a time. To separate the wire from the plug, gently hold the boot and carefully twist it to loosen the wire. Then pull the spark plug wire off with some force and reveal the plug.
Step 5) Loosen the Spark Plug
Now take the square portion of the ratchet handle and place it inside the rounded-off spark plug socket. You can use an extension bar so that you can shift the ratchet handle more freely. Now insert the ratchet in the spark plug hole and place it over the plug.
You need to turn the ratchet handle in a counterclockwise direction to slowly loosen the spark plug. Don’t hesitate to put the proper amount of force as the plugs are often placed too tightly. Keep turning the handle until the movement becomes smooth and free.
Step 6) Bring the Spark Plug Out
Now, remove the ratchet handle from its place and use your hand to turn the socket until the spark plug becomes free from the engine. You can use the gap gauge to measure the gap of the spark plug so that you can judge the current condition of the removed spark plug.
Take out the spark plug from the socket and you’re ready to install a new spark plug inside your car engine.
Final Words
So now you know how to take apart spark plug from your car’s engine. As you have learned, the process is extremely easy even if you’re doing it for the first time.
Just remember to go easy with the wires and not to put excessive force on the ratchet. And the task will be just a matter of moments.
