How to Remove a Broken Spark Plug from a Car?
3 Answers
To remove a broken spark plug from a car, follow these steps: 1. Disconnect the high-voltage pack's plug and remove the fixing screws; 2. Take out the high-voltage pack and loosen the spark plug with a socket; 3. Use a magnetic rod to extract the spark plug. The spark plug, commonly known as a sparking plug, works by discharging the pulsed high voltage sent from the high-voltage wire, breaking down the air between the two electrodes of the spark plug to generate an electric spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder. Types of spark plugs include: 1. Standard spark plugs; 2. Insulator-protruding spark plugs; 3. Electrode-type spark plugs; 4. Seat-type spark plugs; 5. Pole-type spark plugs; 6. Surface-gap spark plugs; 7. Standard and protruding spark plugs; 8. Single-side and multi-side electrode spark plugs; 9. Nickel-based alloy and copper-core electrode spark plugs; 10. Ordinary and resistor-type spark plugs.
I was totally panicked when the spark plug in my car broke before. I had no idea what to do. After parking and turning off the engine, I waited until it cooled down completely before daring to touch it. When I removed the wire, I saw the spark plug head had broken off. I looked it up online and found there are special tools for extracting broken plugs, but with no experience, I was afraid of making it worse, so I just called a tow truck to take it to the repair shop. The mechanic used a small tool with reverse threads, inserted it, and slowly twisted it out. After checking that the cylinder was fine, they replaced the spark plug. This incident taught me that old or overtightened spark plugs can easily break, so regular maintenance and replacement are crucial—don’t delay. If you can’t remove it, don’t force it, or you’ll risk worse engine damage. Always leave it to the professionals.
I've dealt with spark plug issues several times, and removing a broken one isn't actually difficult. First, make sure the engine has been off for at least half an hour to let it cool down for safety. Remove the ignition coil or wire, then use a specialized extraction tool to align with the broken end and slowly twist it out. These tools can be purchased online or at auto parts stores for just a few dozen dollars. If it's too tight, spray some lubricant and wait a bit before trying again. After removal, check the threads for integrity before installing a new spark plug. Remember to handle gently and avoid using brute force to prevent cylinder damage. Regularly inspect spark plugs for signs of aging and replace them periodically to avoid breakage.
