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THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHSpark Plug DIY Experience
Leading reported evidence
Replace spark plugs about 6 weeks ago
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Leading evidence: 'Replace spark plugs about 6 weeks ago' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check spark plug torque' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I use torque wrenches for all the places I can fit them.
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Suggestion · Original poster
So tonight I decide to check the spark plug torque.
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Suggestion · Original poster
Tomorrow morning i'll check the torque on the two tougher ones but I can say that these things back out even though I snugged them down.
Use body weight and vary the lever arm as necessary
Suggestion or failed attempt
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Suggestion
For bigger stuff like wheel bolts you can use your body weight and vary the lever arm as necessary.
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So I replaced my spark plugs about 6 weeks ago. I don't have a torque wrench that I could get into that tight space. So I followed the directions on the back of the NGK box for 14 ft lbs. Basically turn the plugs until they bottom out and then turn another 1/8th turn.
Last week I am starting to hear a ticking or tapping on the rear passenger side at idle. It goes away if I raise the rpms a little.
So tonight I decide to check the spark plug torque. The easy access one was clearly loose. I was able to do about 2 full turns before it was tight again.
Tomorrow morning i'll check the torque on the two tougher ones but I can say that these things back out even though I snugged them down. btw, this happened to me on the my M3 also. I had to re-torque them.
I am sure i'll have to address the driver side plugs at some point because I torqued them down the same way. I think I definitely went easy as I didn't want to strip the head.
Overall I am happy. A tapping sound from the engine that is from loose spark plugs is the best news we can have.
Wow! Time to invest in a low-range torque wrench I guess! Lucky to catch it before the threads got all screwed up.
When I did mine I was able to get my lb-in-range torque wrench in there to hit them all. Did not remove the mufflers or anything. In cases where you can't fit a torque wrench though you can pretty easily estimate at the torque by doing the math; in this case say you have a 6" ratchet and you want 14 lbs ft; you need to pull 28 lbs on the end of the ratchet handle. You can at least roughly gauge that by comparing to how much effort it takes to lift something that weighs ~30 lbs. Not ideal, but better than nothing if you're stuck somewhere without the proper tools. For bigger stuff like wheel bolts you can use your body weight and vary the lever arm as necessary.
14ftlb + 1/8 sounds way too loose. The final torque should be close to 22ftlb. Remember that for a new spark plug, it takes some torque to compress the metal gasket.
Thanks for the feedback. I use torque wrenches for all the places I can fit them. I can see how I wasn't pulling 40 lbs of effort on a 6 inch length wrench. Just scared to strip the head. But having the plugs back out is also bad. Luckily I am always listening to my engine and once a plug is loose you can hear it.
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