You should be able to unscrew the barrel nut from the top of the spark plug.

For the coolant leak look for a hose or water pump leak.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Tyler Dann
Sent: Monday, August 01, 2011 5:09 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Amateur questions: Wrong spark plugs? Coolant corrosion?

Hi all,

I had to replace my snapped accelerator cable and thought it was a good time
to do a few other things to my 1986 2.1L weekender for the first time. I had
previously ordered a tune up kit from one of our vendors and noticed that
the number on the spark plug I was installing (NGK B6ES) differed from what
was already in (BPR5ES). I assumed my vendor had it right and thought this
was a replacement for a plug that's no longer produced.

Well as I was attaching my new ignition wires (first time), which the Bosch
directions for call for a 'hard!' push, I failed to hear or feel the 'snap'
that Bosch calls for and that I was waiting for. I tried harder. Then
harder, thinking I'm getting soft, but still no snap. So I took a look at
those numbers again and noticed that not only are the numbers different but
the terminal looks different. On the old one (here
<https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IOijCMbKp_UTPeYvqpTxKg?feat=directlin
k>is
a photo), the terminal looks like a threaded bolt, while on the ones I've
installed (poor photo
here<https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HyQmGbIDOxuPfUsh3LbTew?feat=direc
tlink>)
they look like a normal spark plug nut.

Have I just not pushed hard enough? I can see some effect of my force on the
terminal, does removing the ignition wire rip off the nut on the terminal to
reveal the threads I see? Or do I have the wrong plugs?

I found a good summary of spark plugs in the archives, but didn't come
across the BPR5ES. Also, I picked up a set of plugs when I bought the van
(Bosch super plus WR7CC+). Should I have used these plugs instead?

On another note, while removing the oil filter I noticed what looks like a
coolant leak onto the oil cooler (photo
here<https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bSef6TK3vN2Llrb3HO89oQ?feat=direc
tlink>).
Is this a sign of the end?

Many thanks,
Tyler