Technical Awkward Panda Spark Plugs

[JAMLAX]

Yesterday, I made an initial attempt to check (and replace if necessary) the spark plugs on my recently acquired 2004 Fiat Panda 1.2.
I successfully removed only one HT lead from the plug on the right hand side (i.e. the plug nearest to the timing belt).
Next, I carefully unscrewed the spark plug and satisfied myself it was in good condition.
However, my efforts to remove the three remaining HT leads from the other spark plugs were unsuccessful.

Any helpful suggestions will be appreciated - rather than me resorting to full brute force and ignorance to release these stubbornly stuck HT leads?

 

[koalar]

These type leads don't deserve to go onto any car these days, there probably not suppressed either

Not seen none molded ends since the bad old days of BL and unipart of the 70s, unless it's a bespoke homemade for a custom setup such a a drag car, it does not make sense in warranty returns

M/M leads aren't like that normally

I suspect they are a cheap china import being sold as M/M

Unless M/M also sell a dirt cheap alternative (unlikely)

 

[koalar]

I have use vaseline, parts are fine 5 years later

Although not ideal, and can not recommend it will not effect most rubbers used around the engine bay, nitrile and silicone




I don't like have loads of different oils, grease and so for this that and the other

At the moment I have been using

For most assembly work

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA146214.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjqgrGbqvuOAxU2RkEAHf9fMD0QFnoECCAQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0Oep8GC6TeFjntIHU1OuMV

Been using it for about 2 year, so no long term results yet, but been fine so far

 

[portland_bill]

View attachment 471554


These type leads don't deserve to go onto any car these days, there probably not suppressed either

Not seen none molded ends since the bad old days of BL and unipart of the 70s, unless it's a bespoke homemade for a custom setup such a a drag car, it does not make sense in warranty returns

M/M leads aren't like that normally

View attachment 471555

I suspect they are a cheap china import being sold as M/M

Unless M/M also sell a dirt cheap alternative (unlikely)

A few years ago I tried a set of those Magneti Marelli leads. They were crap then too. The boots were loose on the leads, which helped ensure the connectors sat on the plugs, but then were reluctant to slide down over the plugs. They fell apart in less than a year, hence my recommendation to go with NGK ones.

 

[portland_bill]

Got a feeling I mentioned this somewhere else, but it was a while ago because I had the same problem with the coil packs on the Ibiza - 3 cylinder EA211 engine (like yours?) They just wouldn't come out and I decided to let the lads at AVW do it. Luckily the chap who owns the garage is a family friend, so I asked him if it was a common problem. He said they do tend to be hard to get out without leaving the rubber boot behind on the plug. The "trick" is to only pull straight up on the coil pack and not to "wiggle" it about. There's an extraction tool which makes this easier to do. However, if the rubber boot does stay on the plug then take your air gun and stick it into the top of the rubber boot - depending on design you may need to wrap tape round it or tale some other action to get a seal - and blow compressed air into the rubber. This usually breaks the hold of the rubber boot on the plug ceramic and "blows" it loose and out. Might be some time before I need to try this with the Scala not being even two years old yet and having modern iridium - or whatever - type plugs. All the above is, of course, not a lot of help if you don't have a compressor!

I think my 4cyl is very much the same as the 3cyl. I did try the air trick, and I have a good compressor, but they refused to let go.
My advice, take them off annually, and add some grease. A job for my diary.