Spark plug bold broke

So I was tightening down the final bolt after changing the plugs when the bolt broke. Any ideas how to get the broken piece out and where to get a new bolt?

 

Vice grips and lowes/home depot or dealership. Don't crank them down so tight next time. Check the torque value, I bet it's really low..

 

Spray penetrating oil all over the bolt and let it sit. Get a good set of vise grips and try to turn it. If that doesn't work, apply heat with a torch to the bolt and use the vise grips to turn it. It sounds like you cross threaded the bolt when putting it back in.

 

Try a bolt extractor socket too.

Bolt was going in, probably don't need penetrating oil or Heat.

 

Your lucky, there looks to be enough sticking out to get a hold of. Dealership can proly tell you what size and thread count. I got a good extractor set made by ryobi at Home depot. Drill a hole in it and and insert extractor. Then turn out.

 

Best part is that it is the most awkward bolt to reach of the plugs. Drivers side closest to the windshield. Just tried vice grips alone and that didn't work. Can't get any leverage.

 

PB blaster is a must! Might try channel locks.

 

The bolt is an M6 x 1.0 pitch, measure the length of another one and the replacement one should be easy from there. As for getting it out, try one of those cam style stud extractors on an extension. If it takes more torque than you can apply with vise grips, its probably crossthreaded though, which means it will needs the threads in the valve cover chased at best, or drilled out and heli-coiled at worst.

 

this! i have done this many times. looks like there is enough poking out.

 

OH you got that thing some kind of crooked no wonder it broke vice grips and a screw driver. Clip the vice grips straight down stick the screw driver between the jaws and see if it will turn. Don't try again with a new bolt until you have chased the threads with a tap.

 

Don't heat that bolt! You don't heat bolts they expand when you heat it what good is that? You heat nuts that are on bolts.......In this case go with an EZ Out that's probably your best bet. Spraying PB Blaster probably wont do you any good because the bolt isn't even rusted.

 

I have a set of these,http://www.summitracing.com/parts/shc-952060?seid=srese1&gclid=CJWglLOalLkCFUVp7AodFkwAmQ They work very well. My guess is, if you tightened it down enough to twist it off, vice grips wont work. oh, sears sells them as well.

 

You should probably tape off that plug hole so you don't get any shavings down there too while extracting and re-taping.

 

^^+1

 

A left handed drill bit will usually remove them by unscrewing them. Take a center punch and make a punch mark in the center and than start the drill, running in reverse of course.. Just Google "left handed drill bit" and you will find many places to buy them.
Even if the drill does not catch and unscrew the broken piece you will have a hole to use an easy out on.

 

Bolt out

 

Would it be worth the time to take the valve cover off for better access?

 

This has happened to me several time on VW diesels. I doubt that you have enough bolt sticking out to use an extractor. I rely on two techniques to get them out. First, get a nut that just fits over the broken bolt shank. With proper shielding, etc., weld the nut to the bolt and wrench it out. If it breaks below the surface of the aluminum casting, I remove the cylinder head and take it to a shop that does EDM, short for Electronic Discharge Machining. They can remove it without damaging the aluminum head casting.

It is very easy to damage the head casting while trying to drill a broken bolt. Don't destroy the head trying to save the $100 or so for professional assistance. If you're not a welder, look for somebody that does mobile service. It probably costs less than a tow.

Mike

EDIT. Use a washer under the nut if you weld it.

 

If I manage to get the bolt out, what size tap do I need?

 

That looks cross-threaded to hell.

Get a new bolt and take it to the auto store and say " I need a tap for this bolt"?

You are just going to have to make the vise-grips work. File two sides a little flat.