2002 Protege 2.0 Got an 0303 code. Got a new starter coil. When installing it discovered one of the plugs in the furthest left bay appears to be rounded. Can’t figure out what it is. The three replaced look fine and came out/went in no problem.

It looks like it's a black piece of metal around the ceramic part of the plug. Saw another post elsewhere on another board iding it as melted rubber. But mine looks and feels like metal when tapping. It can't be though because I put it in myself. Possibly part of the boot? But the boot looks fine. Tried a spark plug socket wrench but it does nothing. Looking at the base it appears there's nothing to grab.

Anyone have any idea what's happening here?

Gonna try to tap on it again tomorrow but am worried about breaking it. I'm a guest where the car is and don't want to spend a ton.

Can’t figure it out. Any way to get that plug out w/o a workshop of tools?

Any suggestions?

Thanks.


Plug and Boot

The one that can't be pulled. No visible base. The "C" around like ceramic looks metal.

One of the three others that was pulled and replaced no problem.

 

Take the rubber boot off and check the end.

 

Already did. Boot’s fine.

 

Looks like part of the boot still in there. Need to pull it out to gain access to the plug hexagon.

 

It WAS a piece of boot. But not the original. Can't figure it out. The boot that came with the car (used) is fine. Tried piercing it with a pic but it wouldn't pierce. Sprayed some PD Blaster and 10 mins later managed to pull it out with a hook I made. Can't figure out how the car's worked that way for two years. It works fine now though. Crazy. Thanks to all for the help.

A random boot end was hiding inside the tube. Boot over it was/is fine.

 

Excellent outcome. I figured from the pic it was part of the boot or the rubber grip from inside a plug socket.