Newby could use some help with changing spark plugs.........

start another thread with sac in the title. lots of members out there who would be willing to come over, or you could go to a meet up.

 

Be aware that the specified Denso plug has changed since 2010. It seems you can only find it at the dealer. My preference is to use these, and they cost less than $10, though I don't have an argument against using NGKs.

Now, more importantly, while you have the wipers and cowl off, you're planning to give the EGR cooler and the rest of the EGR system a good cleaning, right?

 

Fussing with critical, possibly stubborn threads, in an aluminum cylinder head that you don't want to replace ⇒ yes.

 

Good point. Orignal plug spec'd in Owner's Manual is SC20HR11. Revised (slightly hotter) plug is SC16HR11.

I'm not sure about that. If you have a reputable local automotive retailer you use, check with them; I'm sure they can get the plug. Just stay clear of sketchy online sources.

I would recommend:

1. 1/4" drive torque wrench. Torque spec is 15 foot/pounds with clean/dry threads.
2. 3/8" ratchet wrench, with at least 6" of extension, and a 14 mm spark plug socket (with rubber sleave to grip the plug). Alternately, just a regular 14 mm deep socket and a good magnetic pointer, something to grip the thread, lift it gently in/out. When using a spark plug socket, maybe run masking tape around the extension joints, it's not uncommon for the joints to separate when you're trying to pull the socket off the plug, which is a pain.


Also, watch @NutzAboutBolts spark plug video if you haven't;, it's linked in a thread pinned at top of this forum.

The attached Repair Manual excerpt shows the spark plug torque. It's also a testament to the brain-dead formatting: the last page, which shows the torque value, is from a whole other section of the manual, miles away from the rest of the spark plug info.

 

Maybe after the pandemic.

We'll see what the new normal holds.

 

Bisco says, "Lots of members out there who would be willing to come over". Well I don't know about "lots", maybe possible to find one.....and I don't think it'll be easy find that one.

Watch some youtube videos on replacing spark plugs, a walk in the park if you have a couple hours to spare. Make sure you use either the Denso or NGK spark plugs, nothing else will be quite the same.

 

I used dealer supplied Denso plugs, which failed almost immediately.
Then I used NGK 4912, which I bought from Rockauto. They worked just fine.

 

9/16" works too, what I have. Mine is brand-new, and the rubber collar grips so hard it remains on the plug when you torque it and try to pull out on the extension. If that's your setup and you're not sure, tape the extension to socket connection well, will prevent that pull-off.

Something weird there, maybe counterfeit. Did you let them know? That should not happen. Do you still have the failed plugs, because I've heard there's some tell-tale clues, the electrode side electrode is just plain steel, not like the genuine Densos?

 

wow, you folks in cali are really freaked out by the virus. i would happily help someone with masks and social distancing

 

Basically because 15 foot pounds is pretty low, and for a 1/4" torque wrench, that value would be somewhere in the middle of it's range. Any torque wrench tends to be less accurate near the ends of it's range, in particular the low end. A 1/2" drive torque wrench might have values 10 ft/lb to 150 ft/lb, and 15 ft/lb is so close to the bottom as to be suspect.

A 3/8" drive torque wrench would probably be fine too. They'll have values going down to 5 foot/pounds.

FWIW a 1/2" drive torque wrench is all I had for many years, and I got away with it, doing spark plugs.

Something to note too: 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive torque wrenches are usually in foot pounds, whereas 1/4" drives tend to be in inch pounds. If you're using an inch pound torque wrench, to set it to 15 foot pounds you'd dial in 180 inch pounds (15 times 12).

I see the ranges on mine are:

20-240 inch pounds
5-80 foot pounds
20-150 foot pounds

 

The state government here are much stricter. This is their agenda to keep us indoor from driving to show reduction in carbon output and ushered the homeless into hotels which repeatedly trashed public bathrooms and parks thinking homeless will take care of hotels while the camp fire survivors continue to live in their bank loaned RVs parked at the airport here.

 

How are you going to stay more than 6 feet away from someone as you work in the engine bay?

And also I'm keepin to myself and hoping others do too.

We need testing, but keeping to the physical distancing will help limit exposure.

 

Torque wrenches: there are 3/8"-drive "micro-torque" wrenches, too. That's what I have, from Craftsman.

 

A 1/4” torque wrench is a bit more accurate at the low torque values.
Harbor Freight sells a simple digital torque meter you can use instead of a torque wrench