Hello all! I have a problem. My 2006 Chevy HHR with a 2.2L engine is giving me a problem. I went to change the #1 spark plug today and I cannot loosen the plug. I leaned on it a little bit but would not push any harder in fear of breaking the plug down in the head. It's still in the engine as I type. The car has 121K on it and I wouldn't be surprised if those are the original plugs. Should anyone respond to this I would greatly appreciate it. If you do respond back could you let me know how I should go about loosening the spark plug? And my other question is will I end up breaking the plug if I wrench on it too hard? I have an impact gun, would you advise me to use that? Thanks:)

 

Stay away from using the impact gun - totally.

I'd hit the sparkplug well with a little penetrating oil (WD40 or similar) and park it overnight and see if it loosens up in the morning.

If you cannot remove it by hand, I'd leave it in there and just change the other 3 (I gather the others came out easily and have been changed).

If you force it out, and it damages the threads in the head, you will have a real problem as it will need a helicoil or such - and that will be a shame.

 

X2 ^^^^^ penetrating oil , and patience, work the plug back and forth .
If you have a 24” Johnson bar or a ratchet with piece of pipe . Use that just to break the plug loose. Careful now , if seen guys bust a plug and smack the hood .

 

Penetrating oil overnight, breaker bar while holding the extension to avoid rocking the socket, warm the engine up first (not hot).

 

Hey guys it always nice to say hi. I have a 2006 Chevy HHR with the 2.2l. I cannot get the spark plugs to loosen. I mean they are so stubborn they will not budge. I'm afraid if I tug any harder on them they might break off inside of the head. Any ideas and how I can loosen the spark plugs?

 

You could try some PB Blaster, let it sit for awhile, and try again. You could try warming the engine up just a bit, not to full operating temp.

How many miles are on the plugs? Are you changing them because of a misfire?

 

Another very good penetrating oil is Kroil. Check home Depot and Walmart for it.
If you can move the plug a little bit work it cw/ccw adding more oil as you go.

 

In an aluminum head, cold is better, as the plug expands with heat.
It is more likely that carbon has built up just inside the head at the end of the threads.
I have had experience with the work the plugs gently CW then CCW but be very careful not to strip the threads. Pull steady and straight in the ratchet handle.
If you have an adapter from 1/2 to 3/8 drive and a 1/2 Drive 24 inch Johnson bar , a slow even pressure should get it done.
Pulling towards you to rotate the plug CCW but no more then a couple of degrees at a time. Then back to clean off any carbon .
Did someone use and impact gun to thread in those plugs or forget to use AC Delco iridium plugs?

 

I had the same problem when I changed out the original plugs at 180k, the #3 plug wouldnt move but it broke free with a squeek after a gentle, strong, steady pull with my 3/8 ratchet. When it broke free it felt like it literally broke, but it was fine. Spraying some penetrating oil down there might not be a bad idea, though. Be sure to inspect the condition of the plugs! they are the gateway to your cars heart! (engine) and can tell you in some cases even more than a scan tool can just by looking at them.

 

and when you get it out .. the newplugs put anti seize at the top of thread of the new plugs and you will be happy next change ..