Spark Plugs 40 Hp 4 Stroke

[wmgeorge]

Its a 2006, Yamaha of course, 4 stroke I am putting it away for the winter and thought I would check the plugs so I can plan on replacing next spring IF needed. Pulled off the plug wires and looked inside the hole and there is a C shaped what appears to be rubber around the base of the plug. I tried to remove with a awl type hook and it was on pretty good, I decided at that time just to leave things alone. So does it come off or do you need to push in really hard on your spark plug socket to remove? BTW this is my first time owning this pontoon, and its possible these are OEM plugs!

 

[99yam40]

No idea what you are seeing,
pic is worth a 1000 words

 

[wmgeorge]

No idea what you are seeing,
pic is worth a 1000 words

Already covered up. I have changed spark plugs all my life, never saw this. At the bottom of the spark plug well, and the plug still installed around the base of the wrench hex is a C shaped what appears to be rubber. All 3 cylinder wells are the same. Opening of the C is facing toward the front of the engine. Are they some sort of heat shield if so not shown in IPB online?

 

[wmgeorge]

So no one has ever seen anything in the bottom of the spark plug well other than the plug? Gee I hope its not packing material from the OEM install at the factory in 2006???