Hi!

I'm finally getting around to changing the spark plugs on my neighbour's Panda.
I gave up the last time as I could not get the cables/boots off the plugs.

I bought a set of boot plug pliers in the hope that they would help but there's not a lot of room down there and the rubber is breaking off the pliers!

I just cannot get 3 of the boots off (the left hand one comes off ok - the others are refusing to budge)

I've skinned my hands, cursed the air blue and even considered just lying and saying I've done it!

Am I missing a trick - is there some well known remedy for this?

Just an idea, try it in engine hot condition....

TaDa said:

I bought a set of boot plug pliers in the hope that they would help but there's not a lot of room down there and the rubber is breaking off the pliers!

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Which ones are you using?

You might try these.

I ended up watching a few YouTube videos and there's one with a French mechanic that uses a pair of long bent nose pliers - so I'm going to bus some of those and give it another go.

I think its just a matter of grip+leverage - shame the air box is in the way too - but I'm not going to give in yet.

BTW I was not sure about those spark plug pliers - their gripping part looks too long for the spark plug leads (where you should grasp them) and I've already been burned on one set of spark plug pliers - I'm not in a rush to buy another - my vehicles are diesel so I'm regretting agreeing to do this service!

Cheers

TaDa said:

I think its just a matter of grip+leverage - shame the air box is in the way too - but I'm not going to give in yet.

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You'd normally remove the airbox before trying to remove the plugs. On the 500, I also remove the coil pack.

jrkitching said:

You'd normally remove the airbox before trying to remove the plugs. On the 500, I also remove the coil pack.

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Yeah - but I could not see an easy way to undo the pipes - they seemed crimped on (!!)

I think there's just about enough room if I hold the airbox to one side - but more room would be better - is there a trick to removing the airbox?

Is it easy to remove the coil pack too?

TaDa said:

Yeah - but I could not see an easy way to undo the pipes - they seemed crimped on (!!)

I think there's just about enough room if I hold the airbox to one side - but more room would be better - is there a trick to removing the airbox?

Is it easy to remove the coil pack too?

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Cut the crimps and replace with something more reusable.

Coil pack removal on the 500 (I'd expect the latest 1.2 Panda uses the same arrangement) takes less than two minutes; remove the pack & leads complete.

Thanks for the advice - I'll wait, order some nice jubilee clips and try again sometime

I'm hoping the air box removal will make this job a lot nicer - just need to get those darned leads off
(then I can take the coil pack off and maybe changing the plugs will be almost enjoyable!)

TaDa said:

I'm hoping the air box removal will make this job a lot nicer - just need to get those darned leads off
(then I can take the coil pack off and maybe changing the plugs will be almost enjoyable!)

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It will .

And using a universal joint next to the plug socket will give you just the little bit of angle you need to get them out comfortably. Just take care not to knock the injectors - they're nearby and quite fragile.