Spark plug change gone wrong :(

akbeemer said:

The BMW boxers are among the easiest bikes around to work on. Compared to most other engine configurations, routine maintenance procedures are simple and access is uncomplicated. It is, of course, helpful if one uses the correct reference guide, tools and procedures. Not knowing that a thin walled socket is needed to remove the spark plugs is not an engineering flaw.

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Yes, and the fact BMW has made the effort to catalog a special tool socket and reference it in official procedures is your clue ...

pappy35 said:

I bought this at Autozone a week ago for $7 plus tax. Works like a charm with a 12" extension.

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That socket is listed as 14mm, my new plugs I just ordered are 16mm head, just wondering if i missed something. A few people have mentioned the thin wall tool from the tool kit, mine is way larger than the 16mm sparkplugs, I have no idea what it fits, it could be from an unknown source as I bought the bike used.

largestache said:

That socket is listed as 14mm, my new plugs I just ordered are 16mm head, just wondering if i missed something. A few people have mentioned the thin wall tool from the tool kit, mine is way larger than the 16mm sparkplugs, I have no idea what it fits, it could be from an unknown source as I bought the bike used.

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may i ask, what bike are you talking about...?

The '05-'09 (Hexheads) have difference plugs than the '10-'13 (Camhead) RTs.

With used bikes you never really know what you're getting. I think you are going to need a thin-walled socket whether it's 14mm or 16mm and Autozone sells both sizes.

pappy35 said:

The '05-'09 (Hexheads) have difference plugs than the '10-'13 (Camhead) RTs.

With used bikes you never really know what you're getting. I think you are going to need a thin-walled socket whether it's 14mm or 16mm and Autozone sells both sizes.

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pappy35...i know that...i have worked on both vintages of R1200s....i have both the 14mm and 5/8" thinwall 12" deep sockets...never had a problem with either...

05-09 Hexhead plugs... https://www.ngk.com/product.aspx?zpid=26310 5/8" (16mm)

10-13 Camhead plugs... https://www.ngk.com/product.aspx?zpid=26330 9/16" (14mm)

Did he ever get the socket out?

wyman.winn said:

pappy35...i know that...i have worked on both vintages of R1200s....i have both the 14mm and 5/8" thinwall 12" deep sockets...never had a problem with either...

05-09 Hexhead plugs... https://www.ngk.com/product.aspx?zpid=26310 5/8" (16mm)

10-13 Camhead plugs... https://www.ngk.com/product.aspx?zpid=26330 9/16" (14mm)

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I was responding to Mr Stache...

wyman.winn said:

may i ask, what bike are you talking about...?

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Sorry I should've listed that 09 RT.

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I vote for Heat / Cold. Use a canned air spray that gets darn cold from the Office Depo store. Spray it on the socket to shrink it. Heat gun expands things, so ok to then warm it and repeat with cold.

More important, drink a beer in between each step.

It looks like the original poster has not posted since 11-12-17.

Seems that the OP got his socket stuck in the upper plug hole. I had no problem with regular Craftsman chrome socket on upper plugs. The left lower one gave me a scare, the socket fit fine and backed the plug off about 1 full turn, then stuck. I was able to wiggle it out with ViseGrips and a few choice words. That socket has been ground down, and now has good clearance. Live and learn.

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I've seen this happen a number of times when somebody goes after the spark plug while the engine is cooling down ... easy to get that socket stuck! Some good suggestions in the thread for getting it out. I hope he managed to fix it!

That is why the only thing you do on an engine when it is warm, is drain the oil. The rest of the work is done cold or ambient temp up to a point of course....YMMV

chiba said:

I've seen this happen a number of times when somebody goes after the spark plug while the engine is cooling down ... easy to get that socket stuck! Some good suggestions in the thread for getting it out. I hope he managed to fix it!

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I did mine completely cold, the bike had been sitting for 4 to 5 hours. Weird that only the left side lower gave me a problem. Not now with the super clearanced
poorboy special socket.

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chiba said:

I've seen this happen a number of times when somebody goes after the spark plug while the engine is cooling down ... easy to get that socket stuck! Some good suggestions in the thread for getting it out. I hope he managed to fix it!

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I made that mistake once as well, after a ride was going to change the oil and figured I should adjust the valve clearance as well. I tried for two days following all the tips from a couple of threads on how to do it. After a couple of days of trying I decided best to leave it to the pros and took it to a motorcycle mechanic I use who has a small shop and is great. He and his head mechanic worked on it off and on using cans or Wurth freezing spray and lots of fine language . Told them while they were in there they might as well do the valve clearance adjustment, oil change, and new spark plugs. All in including our exorbitant tax rate in Ontario (13%) and I was just slightly over $600 cdn. Best money I ever spent for the piece of mind that I wasn’t going to damage the engine case. Immediately went out and bought the same socket he uses. Learned my lesson - oil change when engine warm, everything else cold!