Audi 3.0L V6 - spark plug can't be removed (not stuck or stripped)

Asked by cubgirl Sep 06, 2016 at 09:40 AM about the 2003 Audi A6 3.0 Sedan FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

We bought an Audi A^ 3.0L with 112K miles.  When changing the plugs,
cylinder #2 had a lot of oil in the well.  A 5/8" socket could not remove the
plug.  It's like it can't catch the nut.  We cleaned the well as best as we could
and there was some crud in the oil.  We know that we're going to have to
replace the valve gasket soon but want to get the plug out now if we
can.  We're thinking crud got embedded around the plug preventing the socket
from going deep enough to catch the nut.  Or it might be that this spark plug is
skinnier than the others??  We're not sure how to get it out.  Any ideas on how
to remove this plug?

Thank you!

2 Answers
103,205

KenF answered 8 years ago

They do make thin-wall sockets that might be able to fit into the spark plug well further than a regular spark plug socket. There are also specialty sockets designed to grip worn or rounded bolts/nuts, these appear to have needles in the socket, and go by names like 'gator grip' or 'universal socket,' finally for absolutely stuck spark plugs, try Irwin's 'Bolt-grip Deep Well' set. They're like screw-extractors except for bolts and are deep enough to fit over spark plugs.

Mark helpful

cubgirl answered 8 years ago

hi thanks for your response... i got on amazon and bought 2 specialty sockets you mentioned (the thin walled and the special grip ones). i hope it can get around the built up crud. we read one guy that had the same problem took a 5/8" copper pipe and cut a notch in it with a dremel. he used it to go around the plug to extract the crud. if these tools don't work that's probably what i'll do too. thank again and i'll put in an update about the sockets.

Mark helpful

Your Answer:

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