So I had a misfire on cylinder #8 and decided to just replace that plug and coil pack. I finally got around to it today, and what a PITA. It would have to be #8 back behind and under fuel lines, connections etc. I knew I was in for a little work beforehand and bought a swivel for the ratchet, but it was still fairly difficult.
BUT, the worst part was not getting the coil pack screw off....it was removing the plug!! I have heard the plugs are difficult to remove due to corrosion with the heads, but that is usually in higher mileage vehicles. My Expy only has 52K on it, and the plug was nearly frozen. I was afraid I was going to snap the ceramic off, but thankfully it held up. I had to loosen it a few ticks of the ratchet, then tighten it, then loosen/tighten, etc until it was finally free enough to fully remove. Once removed, I saw that the plug tip was pretty worn. The tips are pretty small to begin with, but mine was almost gone.
I am going to at least remove the other 7 plugs to break them loose from the head, but if I am going to do that, I may as well just replace them.
So my advice to everyone else with the 3V heads, check you plugs and remove them occasionally to keep them from corroding to the head.
BUT, the worst part was not getting the coil pack screw off....it was removing the plug!! I have heard the plugs are difficult to remove due to corrosion with the heads, but that is usually in higher mileage vehicles. My Expy only has 52K on it, and the plug was nearly frozen. I was afraid I was going to snap the ceramic off, but thankfully it held up. I had to loosen it a few ticks of the ratchet, then tighten it, then loosen/tighten, etc until it was finally free enough to fully remove. Once removed, I saw that the plug tip was pretty worn. The tips are pretty small to begin with, but mine was almost gone.
I am going to at least remove the other 7 plugs to break them loose from the head, but if I am going to do that, I may as well just replace them.
So my advice to everyone else with the 3V heads, check you plugs and remove them occasionally to keep them from corroding to the head.