Author Topic: Frozen Spark Plugs!!  (Read 1519 times)

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saw750

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Frozen Spark Plugs!!
« on: April 19, 2010, 03:26:24 PM »
So these puppies wont budge!

Whats the preferred procedure for backing out frozen plugs from a sitting for 20 years CB750 barn find?

Lubricate and heat or break out the impact wrench?

And I have no clue how the heck I am going to get on those center plugs!

I miss two cylinders

Thank you in advance - saw

Offline OldSchool_IsCool

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Re: Frozen Spark Plugs!!
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2010, 03:29:47 PM »
Start by letting them soak overnight with PB Blaster.
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wdhewson

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Re: Frozen Spark Plugs!!
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2010, 04:25:41 PM »
Hi:

Yikes:  Frozen plugs are scary.  As soon as I get any engine I use some type of thread-coat compound with metallic powders of lead, copper, or zinc.  Good spark plugs are plated with a corrosion resistant nickel so they don't corrode and seize in the engine.  But too much time will breakdown even the best protection.

There are two approaches.  First hit them hard with an impact and hope for the best.  You might get lucky.  However, all is not lost in your have to re-thread the plug holes.

Second, get the head and plugs real hot, maybe 350 F.  This tends to melt or at least reduce the strength of the corrosion products that are freezing the plug.  In other words thaw them, then hit them hard with counterclockwise torque..

In the final analysis, penetrating oils have their purpose, but their entry into the frozen joint in sometimes close to zero.

Good luck and let us know what happens.  Don

Offline BeSeeingYou

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Re: Frozen Spark Plugs!!
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2010, 04:40:10 PM »
My 76 F1 sat for 25 years.  I was able to get three out with a small ratchet and not much effort but the number 2 took a two foot breaker bar and it was hard with that.  A bit scary but all was fine in the end and now I can thread them in and out with little effort.  Get a 18mm plug socket at Sears as it will fit in the tight space and have at it.

Offline BobbyR

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Re: Frozen Spark Plugs!!
« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2010, 04:53:41 PM »
There are fours things you use to free rusted threads:

1. Lubricate
2. Heat
3. Shock
4. Prayer
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Offline BeSeeingYou

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Re: Frozen Spark Plugs!!
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2010, 05:03:01 PM »
There are fours things you use to free rusted threads:

1. Lubricate
2. Heat
3. Shock
4. Prayer

and leverage.   ;)

saw750

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Re: Frozen Spark Plugs!!
« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2010, 05:08:56 PM »

does crc freeze off work??
« Last Edit: April 19, 2010, 05:11:27 PM by saw750 »

Offline faux fiddy

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Re: Frozen Spark Plugs!!
« Reply #7 on: April 19, 2010, 11:43:38 PM »
If it's frozen in, do all the above , and it never hurts to try to tighten them a tiny bit to free up the threads. It could keep the threads from gauling before you use excessve torque counter-clockwise.
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