Work colleague has snapped a spark plug flush with top of thread on zetec. The question is how to get the rest of the plug out. Thanks.

Awkward due to how recessed they are.

Should be possible to pull the insulator and electrode out using long-nose pliers. Then drive(hitting it helps loosen it) a splined, torq or allen key socket (whichever fits best) on an extention into the hole through the plug . Unscrew with ratchet.

Worst case, it doesn't work and the head has to come off. Not failed to get one out that way yet though.

edit... Push a little grease down the plug before the socket to catch any swarf from driving it in

[Edited on 8/10/13 by adithorp]

[Edited on 8/10/13 by adithorp]

Hmm don't know seeing the head is aluminium and mostly hollow I'd not be happy bashing anything into the spark plug, just I case it started to crack or distort, personally I'd just bite the bullet and take the head off then give it the a specialist to remove them and clean up the threads. I'd also be concerned if any ceramic fell into the cylinder.

I do see a lot of cars these days where no copper grease has been applied to the threads which is very poor

[Edited on 9/10/13 by Mr Whippy]

I world take off the head first n try as aid suggested bring careful.

You don't want bits if spark plug in the engine

Good luck with that

I would pay good money to watch someone remove the ceramic and electrode from a broken spark plug without the bit's dropping down the bore. I modified a spark plug a few weeks ago to make an adapter for the dti gauge and it took a lot of hammering to get the bits out and that was in a vice not stuck in a delicate cylinder head. Take the head off and do it properly