Does anyone know the secret to removing the #6 (lower port side) plug? My son and I used a small portion of our time here on earth changing that plug. 
The Merc shop says they have a special tool, which was not shown to me. I can’t find this “tool” on the web, so might have to buy one from mercury, if that’s possible.
I would appreciate any info to make this job bearable.
Thank You
It`s not bearable just a real pain in the a– . I spent a good hour getting that plug back in getting it out was easy. 3/8 inch drive and a wobble with a short extention. Disconect the wires to the fuel injector gives a little more room. Once the plug is part way out remove the wobble and extention and unscrew by hand otherwise the wobble jams against the block. Putting the plug back in is tricky making sure to not cross thread it. I used a magnetic plug socket stood on the right side of the engine standing on a bucket, and used my left hand to start the plug back in. It`s a bear it is sooooo easy to cross thread it.
Good Luck
for getting plugs back in tight places, get a short section of hose and insert the ceramic end of the plug in the hose. Use the hose to thread the plug back in. The hose will fleax making it easier not to cross thread it. You should be able to thread it all the way in with the hose and then use the socket in the end just to tighten it.
Im always wrenching on things, and the hose(about 1/2″) has saved my butt many of times because I have big hands that dont fit in tight places.
why are plugs $15 for these motors?
Quote:
get a short section of hose and insert the ceramic end of the plug in the hose. Use the hose to thread the plug back in.
I gave this a shot on my opti and for me it would just not work. The angle on the plug is up and top of plug towards the block and the hose has to be bent too sharp. At least for me I could not get it to work.
As for the $$$$$ for plugs, I’ve heard it has to do with the high pressure in these engine’s. Is that the reason? I don’t know. I have only replaced them once and it’s a 2001. Cleaned and kept the old ones for spares.
I used the hose technique. With some luck, it worked! But took a long time to get the plug started. It is tricky because of the bend in the hose.
Sure looks to me if Merc would have run the bundles of wires and hoses down by the #6 plug out toward the cowl more this job could be much easier.
Thanks for all the responses!
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