Replacing Injector Gasket Washer

[shamrock]

Hello,

My middle injector on a universal diesel has been leaking soot out of the housing around the threads. I got a new injector thinking that may be the problem, but I now suspect the gasket might just be worn?

I have a new gasket washer, but am having trouble getting the old one out. Any tricks or special tools that might do the trick?

Also, I would like to clean up the block where I have carbon build up around the injector, but don't want anything to fall into the cylinder. What works well to plug the hole while the nozzle holder and injector is out?