Champion plug caps removal

[peters3103]

Hi gents,
I did include this in my engine removal post but a bit off topic.
I’m having difficulty removing my Champion spark plug caps which haven’t been removed since I first fitted them a few years ago. Surprisingly I’ve not needed plugs in that time but minimal mileage. No matter how hard I pull the caps up they won’t release. They do twist easily so not corroded. Reluctant to use pliers/grips of any sort as I’m sure they’ll get damaged. Any experiences/suggestions here?

Cheers,
Pete

[Sarthe72]

Same problem some years back. I sprayed WD40 and left them, to no effect, and in the end got out the mole grips and yanked. I broke two.

[dxke38]

Pulling from top usually jams them and causes damage. Try to lever from bottom edge but be careful not use too much force and keep caps from rocking to one side.

[peters3103]

These might do the job if they’re not too wide to fit between bottom of cap and cylinder head. Could be ground down I suppose.

[tonyabacus]

Peter
Use a couple of tea spoons under each side of the cap, place the cups of the spoons so the tips are under the cap and with gentle pressure press down on the handles. This will enable you to exert equal pressure each side and hopefully not break anything. The bakelite material they are made from is brittle and pliers, mole grips etc exert too much pressure, so the caps fracture.
Tony

[Langdon]

I found the strangest tool for this job. A pair of tent pegs, the upper end being bent a bit past 90 degrees. Using a pair of these as levers worked well.

[mtnjag]

I guess rather than a strong pull you have tried a good strong jerk?

If so, perhaps improvise a wedge under the edge of the cap that you can gently tap in under the lip.
Like a door frame wedge out of wood. Generally a soft cedar or redwood.
Place it on something flat to bring it up to the cap bottom edge and tap.