Spark Plug Hex Nut Disintegrated

Weird, Weird problem...I pulled the #4 plug wire and slid the plug puller
down the tube and it just spins when rotated. I shined my light down the
tube and the hex nut is gone. The plug wire plastic connector had reddish
brown discoloration. It's a '94 Accord EX 149K miles. I changed the plugs
with NGK's last year @ about 132K with no problems. The wires have never
been changed. The car still runs fine but I'm guessing this could a huge
problem. Does anyone know what the source of the malfunction could be? Any
clues on how to remove the plug? TIA.

Carl

 

it can't be "gone". it's at the bottom of a blind 6" hole with a socket
blocking the end. even if the hex were mysteriously separated from the
rest of the plug [/most/ unlikely given that the plug metal is cold
formed from a single chunk of quality steel] it would still be in there.
much more likely is that you have something like an old plug lead
rubber or socket rubber covering it. pull as much as you can out with a
hooked wire coathanger, then look for the hex again. it'll be there.

 

JB, thanks for the reply. Now I know where the missing socket rubber ended
up. We were heading out on vacation and I was pushing it on time and just
didn't pay attention. I'll pick away at it tomorrow.