Question About Spark Plug Torquing

Those copper plugs are cheap and the job is easy. I do mine every 30k

 

Why bother with a torque wrench on spark plugs tho? Thread by hand till it stops, then go maybe a 1/4 turn. You should be able to feel it get tight and know when to stop.

 

Ok I guess I'll just do them by hand. You might laugh but I had a spare spark plugs for my lawnmower and figured I'd practice before I attempt it again. You guys were right. You finger tighten it, use the ratchet to give it 1/4-1/2 and can feel that washer crush and seal. You guys think I should redo the plugs on my truck now or just leave it be? I know you aren't fortune tellers but you think the probability is high that I hurt the threads? It ran great on my 6 hour roadtrip today and I averaged 20 mpg.

 

You're probably fine then if you went on a 6 hour trip after. I wouldn't worry about it. That's just me.

 

nice when you find the right answer
the above mentioned technique is the same that Ive used for 360k miles on my taco
thanks harry!

OP- hello from southern oregon to northern nevada!

 

Howdy from the Elko area! Thanks and I learned an important lesson here. Hopefully I'll be good changing them I'm the future. I don't think I'm gonna even bother with a torque wrench next time. Just gonna do the 1/4 turn method. May even redo my properly cause I'm a stickler lol

 

As has been pointed out antiseize is not needed on NGK and Denso plugs they have a dry coating. That being said they don't forbid the use of antiseize; both manufacturers point out that using antiseize can result in overtightening but neither points out how to compensate. You compensate by reducing torque by at least 15%.

I have 'throwaway' HF 1/2 inch torque wrench; it's in my truck with my emergency tool kit. It works but torque value is off 5lbs under 50 ft/lbs, and 3 lbs off above 50. Take it back and get a refund if you can, or get it replaced. For a good affordable torque wrench, or any tool for that matter, look at Tekton tools.

 

I'll have to do that then. I guess you never stop learning right? In case you didn't notice I'm still new to wrenching but really like it and want to continue to pursue it. When I do them again soon I'm gonna do it correctly. Sometimes you have to learn by failure right? Again, thanks for all the advice and support.

 

Hilarious old thread. To new readers, just use the factory recommended plugs, in this case pt# 90919-01191, torque to13ftlbs without any anti-seize. Then move on for many years knowing they are done properly and will come out easily next time.

 

This.

 

Hand tight then 1/2 turn is all that is needed.