Changing the spark plugs.....

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by Roadster

Some of you may agree or may disagree....I wasn't about to throw my back out removing spark plugs....so when I felt that they were in there really tight, resorted to one of my leverage tools. This time only a half of a floor jack handle. No room for the whole thing....lol I wouldn't do this on anyone else's vehicle, but for me it broke most of the plugs loose. Only two I undid by hand. The others needed persuasion......

Spark plugs from Left to Right.....
#8 #6 #4 #2...

you can see oil at the top of the threads on 3 of the plugs...

Spark plugs from Left to Right.....
#7 #5 #3 #1...
oil at the top of all of the threads...

YIKES!

IIRC, plugs only require (something like) 19 ft# of torque. Stripping the aluminum threads immediately came to mind - even if they are "only siezed".

On installation, I dab the tip of a finger in some anti-sieze goop, and make a single swipe (perpendicular to) across the threads before reinstalling the plug.

In 55 years of changing plugs I've never had one back out, nor require more than a gentle push on the ratchet handle to break it loose. (And, once the initial torque is broken, the plug usually unscrew with twisting the extension with my fingers...usually.)

Obviously, those threads didn't strip out; no harm done. But, I know you'll like the anti-sieze when you remove them next rime.