Nice day for changing spark plugs!

[karyins]

Such nice weather after a week of rain! And after one of the last six spark plugs arrived with a crack, Amazon sent me another pack, free of charge and they said I can use the other plugs as fishing weight if I like. Yeaaaaaah! So I went out to change the spark plugs, equipped with wrenches and stuff, and a few beers, and of course my superb newbie mechanical skill!

Piece of cake I thought!

Then I stopped. Don't dare to touch that rusty nut. Hmm actually I did, with my finger tip then part of it broke away!

The other side isn't so bad but I don't wanna touch it now.

Since I'm at it so I checked around and found this...What the heck is this tube thingy on the left side of the radiator? And it seems like missing a cap. And greenish greasy stuff is at the openning?

Any suggestion? My DIY spirit is still high but I'll face it if I have to take it to some pro shops. :hat:

 

[46runner]

what did you do with the beer???

I got these sockets which are supposed to grip "rounded" bolts.


Also, I'm a fan of Fluid Film. Spray down all your rusty spots (everywhere except the engine and the brakes) before the winter comes.

 

[karyins]

Interesting tool. Would it grip on though? I mean the "Hex" part on those bolts are completely gone. They just crumbled away when I touched with my finger. Also I'm not sure how solid the "core" is and even the "shaft" beneath.

Still drinking the beer.

 

[karyins]

LOL, checking for solutions online and found this! Afterall this is a nice day!

..........................................
My dentist would get it out.

He stood up on the chair to pull my wisdom tooth out with both hands - and pulled like a banshee - I swear my balls musta been attached to the other end a that wisdom tooth - coz when it did come out every part of my body down to my balls hurt for about 2 weeks...

Damn that SOB can pull - I'd put money on him to pull that sucker clean outta there!

Cheers!
............................................

 

[nevada]

Such nice weather after a week of rain! And after one of the last six spark plugs arrived with a crack, Amazon sent me another pack, free of charge and they said I can use the other plugs as fishing weight if I like. Yeaaaaaah! So I went out to change the spark plugs, equipped with wrenches and stuff, and a few beers, and of course my superb newbie mechanical skill!

Piece of cake I thought!

Then I stopped. Don't dare to touch that rusty nut. Hmm actually I did, with my finger tip then part of it broke away!

The other side isn't so bad but I don't wanna touch it now.

Since I'm at it so I checked around and found this...What the heck is this tube thingy on the left side of the radiator? And it seems like missing a cap. And greenish greasy stuff is at the openning?

Any suggestion? My DIY spirit is still high but I'll face it if I have to take it to some pro shops. :hat:

make sure you have a high quality 6 point socket. NOT a 12.

then get a punch, and hammer. hit the head of each bolt, give it a good sharp tap. do that 4-5 times for each bolt. you want a punch with a small enough head that it fits down inside the little cup area on the top of the bolt, so as to not mushroom it.

then attempt to remove it, with the 6 point socket. once they are all out, I would replace them all with new quality bolts.

 

[karyins]

make sure you have a high quality 6 point socket. NOT a 12.

then get a punch, and hammer. hit the head of each bolt, give it a good sharp tap. do that 4-5 times for each bolt. you want a punch with a small enough head that it fits down inside the little cup area on the top of the bolt, so as to not mushroom it.

then attempt to remove it, with the 6 point socket. once they are all out, I would replace them all with new quality bolts.

Sorry I am really a newbie with mechanics and tools. What kinda of punch would it be? Also can I really hammer it on the spark coil on the engine? I'm afraid of breaking more things before fixing this one.

 

[brianhuntRVA]

My bolts don't look quite that bad but I am still scared to try and change the spark plugs.

 

[fdbyrne]

You have to do it at some point and waiting won't make it any better. Soak them in PB Blaster (or similar) for a few days before starting. Tap them a few times as mentioned before, then just back them out and replace them with new bolts. They aren't torqued down very tight so tapping them and hitting them with a penetrating oil should do the trick.

As soon as I got my first one out I hopped in the wife's car and took the bolt with me to Ace Hardware and bought 6 more just like it.

 

[acronin2]

I was in the same boat this time last year. Went out there to change my spark plugs and found that all 6 bolts were super rusty. Went to Toyota and bought new bolts and took 4runner to a mechanic and handed him the spark plugs and bolts. He was able to get the job done. He did break at least one of the bolts but was able to get them out without damaging the coil.

I would change the bolts every time you change the spark plugs or at least every other time.

 

[karyins]

I was in the same boat this time last year. Went out there to change my spark plugs and found that all 6 bolts were super rusty. Went to Toyota and bought new bolts and took 4runner to a mechanic and handed him the spark plugs and bolts. He was able to get the job done. He did break at least one of the bolts but was able to get them out without damaging the coil.

I would change the bolts every time you change the spark plugs or at least every other time.

Most likely what I'm going to do!

 

[rooost]

I am amazed every time I see one of your "northern" vehicles ! That rust is brutal, is it just a race to get use of your rig before the frame splits in half ?

 

[Sungod]

Don't waste your time with PB blaster. It will do absolutely nothing. Nevada gave you the best advice. a 6pt socket is a must. If that doesn't work clean off as much scale as you can then use a slightly smaller socket and tap it gently over the bolt. I would use an impact to get as much instant torque as possible.

Worst case is the bolt breaks. Then you are looking at drilling and tapping the hole. Steel bolts into aluminum makes this something for a professional.

The good thing is that those bolts are not holding anything together so you could still drive it if one broke.

 

[nevada]

Sorry I am really a newbie with mechanics and tools. What kinda of punch would it be? Also can I really hammer it on the spark coil on the engine? I'm afraid of breaking more things before fixing this one.

something like that would work. you just want to make sure the tip fits down inside that little cup on the bolt head, so as to not mushroom it.

just a few sharp, quick taps should do it. if you think this is above your skill level, it shouldn't cost very much to have it done.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

I am amazed every time I see one of your "northern" vehicles ! That rust is brutal, is it just a race to get use of your rig before the frame splits in half ?

my 4runner has never been owned south of new york, and my frame is borderline spotless. its all about how you take care of it

 

[bpowa]

Also, I'm a fan of Fluid Film. Spray down all your rusty spots (everywhere except the engine and the brakes) before the winter comes.

Some BS marketing.

Fluid Film | Why Use Fluid Film

I use corrosion x on my salt water fishing reels. No rust here. Its redicioulous to bash other products for advertisement.

I am a fan of WD-40. it has its purpose. but its no way near the protection of corrosion x. That itself tells me their product research is BS.fftopic:

 

[truckhigh]

i tried the craftsman set and its doesn't work. return it and get the irwin set its 10x better and even took out a huge alternator bolt that was at an odd angle. Even vise grips will take that out just sock it in pb

 

[rooost]

my 4runner has never been owned south of new york, and my frame is borderline spotless. its all about how you take care of it

Ha..I guess that is what I am missing....the frame as a maintenance item !
.
.
.
.
.
Rusted bolt hell! I break enough of them and they are just fine before I get to them

 

[riceandpho]

i would take it to the dealer and let them mess it up, since they are responsible to repair it.

 

[Vols77]

Good info, thanks