HELP...Rusted spark plugs stuck in aluminum Cyclone head***UPDATE***

I've tried soaking the rusted plugs in wd40...now what? I don't want to strip the threads...I've heard you can use brake fluid or a mixture of transmission fluid and diesel fuel to unstick piston rings...would that work here?

anxiously waiting...

 

Coca Cola and vineger wil sometimes work on aluminium

 

Personally, I think I'd use some Kroil penetrating oil. Really soak around the spark plug, and come back tomorrow, and tell us how easy they came out after doing that!!!!!

Kroil oil is not going to hurt the aluminum, but it will get to the steel of the spark plugs.

When you go to take the plugs out, give them a somewhat sharp whack on the wrench with your palm, rather than just starting to twist them out. If they are stuck just a little bit, that whack will loosen them like an impact wrench. Just twisting them out, more chance to bugger the aluminum threads.


HellRaiser

 

I have LOTS of vinegar...

 

where do I get Kroil?

 

http://www.kanolabs.com/

Might call them and ask for a local source?

BTW the stuff is the shit. Also have you tried tightening them a little?

 

Any penetrating oil will do. But in my opinion Kroil is better. Kroil is a trade name... How about any Mouse Milk? You got any of that, or have access to some?

No it's not a joke, there is stuff called Mouse Milk.


HellRaiser

 

"PB Blaster" is the best penetrating oil money can buy!

 

Try heat.....Use acetylene and oxygen .Be careful not to melt aluminum...............

 

also the piston ring mixture is ATF and acetone.

 

A little heat should help free them up. Heat, Douse with penetrating oil, repeat.

 

yes, I have tried tightening them first...

I have a lot of mice around here, but I don't know how to milk one...jk

 

+1 for the coke.

 

Am I the only one that thinks heat is a bad idea on aluminum?

 

I don't own a torch setup...gonna hafta be done with chemicals.

 

Yep coka cola is your best bet. Then wiggle 'em out a little at a time, a little out then a little back in untill you get 'em free.

 

especially when these heads go for up to $800...

 

And make sure to use some anti-seize when you re-install them.HRP

 

thanks benno

 

will do

 

you need someone with very small hands to milk mice

Kroil, PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench are all good helps to give the stuck part a rap.

 

Run it thru a few heat cycles in the oven @ 200. The expanding and contracting should break the bond. Then try removing plugs while still hot. By the way still use penatrating oil while doing this. Just clean off befor placing in oven.

 

not so sure Donna's gonna go for this idea...

 

exactly. give the Kroil a try. I get it locally at a place called Tacoma Screw, they sell nuts and bolts. I had a gun smith friend recommend it. It works better than and other penetrant I've used...... Even PB blaster. You can buy it in aerosol or regular. I like the regular.

 

Been there, thats why I'm single again .

 

My .02 worth here...I'd heat the head in an oven; you can control the heat and I think that the resulting expansion will help loosen the plugs. 300 degrees shouldn't hurt the aluminum, but the misses will be pissed if she catches you doin it at home

 

you need Mr. Peabody's wayback machine. go back and put some anti-sieze on those plugs and they'll pop right out..

 

^^^^^Maybe even Mr. Wizard

 

An alternative is to use Alum or nitric acid. The alum can be found in the grocery store spice aisle.

Either one will dissolve the steel spark plug, but won't touch the aluminum of the head. And it'll take a while- several days- but it beats ruining the head.

Google "broken tap alum" or "broken tap nitric acid" and read up. The alum solution needs to be kept warm, and if you're only using small amounts (rather than soaking the whole head) it'll need to be periodically refreshed.

But, it can remove the plug without having to unscrew it, as well as removing any rust flakes that got embedded in the threads.

Doc.

 

Use a propane torch. Can't get enough heat to damage the heads and the different expansion rate will cause the parts to free up. You do not need to get the plugs to glow just hot enough to cause the metal to expand. Go slow and apply the heat to the plug not the head.