Check your plugs

Nope. It will absolutely change the value. That's what FT\LBS means.
For instance, a30 ft/lb spec bolt, is equal to 30 lbs hanging off a ratchet at 1 foot back from the head of the ratchet.
There are formulas to recalculate when using torque adapters and handle extensions.


Read more here:
https://www.terex.com/docs/librariesprovider7/tech-tips/techtip_53.pdf?sfvrsn=1371ae74_15#:~:text=(Torque Wrench Length X Torque Desired) = (18.5 x,torque value of 180 ft.

I actually had to buy a torque adapter to properly torque my hub bolts.
I turned it as close to 90 degrees as I could and sent it.

FWIW, there are dry and lubed specs too.
I don't change settings for Loctite, but have for anti-seize.

 

If my torque value is set to 30 ft*lbs on an 18" long torque wrench, I'd need to apply 30 lbs at 12" to get it to click. The same wrench and settings being held at 6" would take 60 lbs of force. The effort by my hand will change, but the force on the bolt, at which point the wrench clicks, will remain the same... unless I'm extremely confused on how a torque wrench setting works.

 

Correct. That’s how it works.

 

Now, to really screw with you.
Most torque wrenches are only accurate within 80% of the scale.
So lets say you have a wrench that goes from 20-100 ft/lbs.
It is calibrated to be accurate between 30-90 ft/lbs. Accurate = what ever they say. Usually +/- a percentage. 3% seems to be the standard.


Does any of that matter? No. Not unless you work for NASA or something.....

 

Yeah, I know that calibration within 5% is usually acceptable.

Mine could be within 50% and I'd be happy. Without a torque wrench, my ape brain goes with "torque to yield"... so I need a tool to babysit me.

 

I’m usually somewhere between way too loose, and way too tight.
I never owned a torque wrench until I joined TacomaWorld.

Lug nuts were without a doubt way too tight.
I still get nervous thinking that 85 ft/lbs just doesn’t feel like enough.
I bet I was going 110-120 ft/lbs before I got a wrench.

 

So is this not the time to ask what’s the absolute best plug to run ? V6

 

Denso or NGK

 

I did the spark plugs on my 2017 Limited yesterday. Of the six, four were hand tight and showed some blow by in the form of a thick tar like goo on the metal area between the threads and the ceramic insulator.

After changing them, the truck runs quieter... I used to have some tick sounds that I thought were fuel injectors, but now I think they were a bit of the blow by.

Unlike Toyota, I used a torque wrench on these, so they should be properly tight until I change them again.

 

The price quoted from dealer was , I feel, outragous. Dont remember exactly just now but something like $875. to replace the 6 plugs on my 21 3.5

 

You are correct.
The same is true when using an extension for the socket, whether it’s a 6in or 12 in extension as long as it’s kept inline with the socket and plug the torque wrench will still click at the value proper torque it’s set at. It’s only when you have an offset extension (say at a right angle to the torque wrench head or a significant angle) that the torque applied to the plug will be different that the torque wrench setting. The link the poster included in a post above shows examples - though it seems he misinterpret it.

 

I'm coming up to 45K service. Planning to do major services at 60K including plugs, fluids, etc.

My question is: Is it reasonable to ask my mechanic to check the plugs now? Or are they too much of a pain to just "check" without intending to actually change them?

 

There's been a few folks with a loose plug or two. It wouldn't be unreasonable to ask him to make sure they're snug.
There is absolutely no reason for a visual inspection. Sans a little discoloration, they're gonna look like new.