How to remove spark plug tubes?

[JetspeedCamry]

Hey guys/gals,

Just wondering how you remove the long spark plug tubes in the heads? Is there a special tool i have to buy (if so where do i buy it) or is there a technique which has worked for someone. The use of multigrips is futile, just slips around on the tube, there quite tight!.



Thanks!

[hi-ace]

Ok I had to remove the plug tubes from a 3S-F. The only way I managed to get them out was to drill a hole through them and use a rod to unscrew them.
Ok this means that they can't be reused so buy your new ones before you do the job.
Most important, make sure you put the spark plugs back in and do them up. as there will be metal shavings going down the tube. I used a vacuum cleaner to suck the shavings out before removing the spark plugs. allso make sure you collect ALL the shavings from around the outside of the tube to, you don't want it to get into the oil gallerys.
This worked for me, but if anyone has a better idea by all means let us know.

[Cruiser97_80]

I've never had any trouble removing them with a good set of locking pliers i.e. vice grips.

[IN 05 NT]

Ok I had to remove the plug tubes from a 3S-F. The only way I managed to get them out was to drill a hole through them and use a rod to unscrew them.
Ok this means that they can't be reused so buy your new ones before you do the job.
Most important, make sure you put the spark plugs back in and do them up. as there will be metal shavings going down the tube. I used a vacuum cleaner to suck the shavings out before removing the spark plugs. allso make sure you collect ALL the shavings from around the outside of the tube to, you don't want it to get into the oil gallerys.
This worked for me, but if anyone has a better idea by all means let us know.

problem is that the tubes sit through the rocker cover...................they would leak oil and fill up the tubes?, unless you were to fill holes......

blake

[Cruiser97_80]

Ok this means that they can't be reused so buy your new ones before you do the job.

IN 05 NT i think you missed this bit

[JetspeedCamry]

Yeah the idea is to get new ones in there..but yea..gotta get these out first.
The drill method seems light it may work, be make an absolute mess of them!...
Do these sit in below the plugs? Meaning that, do i have to remove the spark plug to get them out?

[Cruiser97_80]

no you can leave the plugs in there.

Make sure when you put your new ones in, put some thread sealant on the thread that screws into the head. Or you tubes will fill up with oil

[JetspeedCamry]

Hmm well i tried using slip joint pliers, but they just keep slipping off the tube...and if i squeeze high up, it crushes the tube in, and then slips off haha. So thats not working. I don't have a big enough pair of vice grips, might borrow some.... think this will work better than the slip pliers?
I found a tool on the net designed for removing them, but its a tad expensive

[CraigD]

use 2 of the big nuts that screw onto it ontop of the rocker cover, put the first one on upside down all the way tight and then the 2nd one on the right way and tighten now use the bottom one to loosen the tubes.
If this dosn't make sense i can take a couple of pics to show you.

cheers Craig

[JetspeedCamry]

use 2 of the big nuts that screw onto it ontop of the rocker cover, put the first one on upside down all the way tight and then the 2nd one on the right way and tighten now use the bottom one to loosen the tubes.
If this dosn't make sense i can take a couple of pics to show you.

cheers Craig

My tubes dont have threads on them..there just flat, plain tubes...like in the pic 1st post.

[CraigD]

My tubes dont have threads on them..there just flat, plain tubes...like in the pic 1st post.

oops my bad

well i would say get a decent size vice grip and give that a go