The car gods are not helping today....

I pulled a dreaded odd number P0303 P0300 code today on my 1999 RX300 (147K miles). Seems like only coil/spark problems I have are on odd number cylinders which we all curse the Japanese engineer who designed the location of those coils/spark plugs

Got behind engine easily enough, unscrewed the coil for #3 and attempted to pull it out. It should slide right out like others, but this one said "NO" It almost seems fused in there. I can spin it a bit, and I can pull it up about 1/2 inch to an inch if I pull with all my strength (hard to see exactly how much it is coming out given its location) but it barely budges. Once I let go, it sucks right back down into the coil shaft.

Does anyone know what might be happening here? Why would this be stuck in the coil shaft?

 

To me it sounds like the boot has a very strong seal on the spark plug. You pull up, it creates a vacuum that pulls pack.
Twisting and pulling usually breaks the seal

 

the coil boot is fused to the spark plug insulator, as maxSteel suggested, twist and pull to break the seal. 180* in each direction if possible or until the bond loosens. Put a thin film of dielectric grease on the spark plug insulators to avoid sticking for next time.

 

Can you prop/wedge it once you have pulled it a bit. If you can do that and walk away. If you allow enough time the vacuum may break. Your best bet is still twist and rock. Do not be tempted to squirt anything down the tube ,, that will mace the vacuum situation worse.

Salim

 

Thanks all. I have managed to prop up a bit, maybe 3/4 of an inch so hopefully if it is a vacume seal between the rubber boot and plug it will release. If the plug is fused with the metal spring inside the coil boot, I will try to find a way to twist. The #3 is just not in a good spot.

WIll let everyone know how it turns out

 

Good news is .. if the plug was fused ... you would not have been able to pull up a timing bit.

Salim