Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Can't get spark plug wires off

OK - I know this is sad - I've changed plugs many times in other cars without issue, and am changing them in my SVT for the first time today. However, the wires are frozen onto the plugs. Working on the front bank now, which scares me b/c I have even less leverage on the rear bank.

Anyone have this issue with the plug wires? I was not planning to replace the wires this time round, and therefore need to be careful to not damage them. Any quick hit tips to get the wires off the plugs on this car, the grab and twist method is not working - and I'm not that weak... (note the plugs and wires have not been changed since new and the car only has 36K).

Thanks!

twist and pull

when you put them back on soem di-electric grease will make it easier to put them on and easier to remove next time. But remember, just a dab will do ya, use a Q-tip to lightly coat the inside of the boot. You want just enought to make it shiny and no more.

Yeah I know it - but after 30 minutes of trying - it will not cut it. Like I said, NEVER had this problem b/f... but of course when you try to do stuff on a day off...

Thanks - already have the grease ready to go - now if I could only get the wires off

well try this, mine came right off when I did mine the other day.

my engine was warm, well the vlave covers were warm, but the block was hot, and they just came off with a little twist and a urgh, ugh, umph.

You know what, try this, pull on the wire in such a way that when it does pop off you'll skin your knuckle on something. It always seems to work.

Got em off - thanks - and the skin the knuckle trick did it

Thanks!

i had a 87 taurusaurus v6 and usually had to sacrafice the wires every few plug changes because i would usually have to literally break at least one or two to get them loose...twisting and turning method only worked when done with a pair of vise grips lol

the taurusaurus had many mods too....new tranny, radiator, entire new breaking system, completely overhauled smog equipmentand drivers seat literally tied to the floor after the mounting bracket on the front left side broke *used thin gauge wire to tie seat to bracket*