ccryan67

I started replacing my spark plugs and coil‘s today and the inner part of the coil spark plug boot broke off and is still on the spark plug. Took me a while to figure out why I couldn’t remove the spark plug but I got there.


I can’t really get a pair of needle nose pliers on the plastic that remains on the spark plug. Any tips or tricks on getting it out?

chassis

Try an x-acto knife with a narrow, pointed "hobby" blade to start slicing the old rubber away. If you have an air compressor, while the plug remains in the hole, blow out the rubber crumbs every now and then. Eventually if you have removed enough rubber, you should be able to either extract the remains of the boot, or push a socket against the rubber and remove the spark plug.

Another idea is a dental-pick type of tool to pick away at the rubber. With luck you could gain enough purchase and pull it out.

Another idea is a very thin, long and slender flat blade screwdriver, to pinch get between the spark plug and the boot. Lever the rubber against the spark plug well/wall and try to drag it out. With luck you can drag it out, or you can remove chunks of it, which would be progress.

George993

I use thin, long pliers. The problem is they are relatively slippery. Surgical pliers which have ribbed grabbing surfaces work best.

chassis

Yes surgical pliers is a great suggestion. The locking “hemostat” type. Not sure if that’s the right name for them but Google probably can find them.

ccryan67

Didn’t think of hemostats, great idea.

skeet25

Just ran into this problem myself, in that the boot separated from the coil pack. I tried removing the boot by pulling on the tab with the Lisle tool, but it crumbled off. So maybe my issue is a bit different than the OP's but before I dig a deeper hole for myself, any suggestions?

I was thinking about applying some Kroil from the top of the boot, and hope it soaks into the area between the rubber boot and the ceramic plug, which is probably where it's binding...
Any drawbacks to this method, let's say if I decide to abort if the boot still won't come off, will the lube affect the plug's contact?

Jed12

Just use a regular 16mm deep socket not a sparkplug socket it should go over the insulation straight onto the spark plug I just had this exact problem on my w220

ccryan67

Good advice, thanks. I’m over halfway to my next spark plug change, so I’ll keep it in mind.

Herkypilot

A dab of dielectric grease on the new coil may prevent the next occurence.