Now what about the spark plug you were originally trying to pull ? Did it break ?

It looks ok. I broke it loose just to make sure it wasn't going to have anything wonky going on with it, and it broke loose fairly easily just like the other 3 did, which confirms the socket was just binding against the tube walls like it was barely an interference fit.

The tube is going to need a little bit of metal repair up top so it will seal on the valve cover gasket. Fortunately a good buddy of mine is a top notch welder on class car restorations, and this will be a piece of cake for him. Once that's done, I'll get compressed air and blow out the plug tube really good so no debris goes into the engine when I remove the plug. Then I'll replace the plug and put it all back together and I expect it will fire back up.

Mom is just tired of cars. Wants to go back to a small SUV. Otherwise I think she'd keep this thing and drive it forever.

Problem is Rav4 is really expensive and I just hate the way they drive. CR-V has a CVT which we've had a bad history with. Mazda CX-5 gets less than stellar gas mileage compared to anything in its class, and even though they're made pretty well, they get lower reliability ratings than Honda and Toyota. So I'm not sure what direction she's leaning.

look at the hyundai santa fe, drove one a couple of times and they are pretty nice.

In lieu of a beverage, how about an equivalent kid’s MX gear donation for my 2Stroke hobby shop’s Young Rider’s Program. We’re gathering bikes and gear to host an occasional track day, at our expense, for families to bring out their peewees to gear them up, photograph, and ride our Yamaha PW50’s - a couple with training wheels and a few others without. Benefits the kids and young families never exposed to this challenging opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.

PM me if you’d like to participate/support.

Thanks…

Mojo of the month thread fo sho.

Pick May or June, don't matter.

Wait... So who was the official winner here? Was it wsimpson, or did you get the tool I linked to on Amazon? I can't quite tell from the picture! I am far less charitable. I'll take the beer.

I hope your mom made you pay for her Uber the last three weeks. Poor lady hasn’t had a vehicle for a month or maybe you loaned her yours.

I loaned her mine. I'd walk before I'd let mom go without a ride because I'm an idiot

Luckily my daughter plays club soccer and it turns out there is so much driving, it's cheaper to get a commuter car for that. So I have a Mazda CX-5 that we take to soccer stuff so I don't have to drive my F-250 halfway around the world and back. So mom has had the mazda this whole time.

Bob Davis was the first one to recommend freeze spray (which loosened it up some for sure) and wsimpson was the first blind bearing puller suggestion, as far as I can tell. I'll hit up wsimpson via PM - owe him a donation to the bikes project for sure.