Spark Plug Change
#22
Where did you learn how to change spark plug at? You don't pry open the gap like that. You use the feeler gauge. Put the tabs at the spec. size then slide it in and out and that will place the gap right. Also don't ever ever ever use a torque wrench to break lose a spark plug or any other bolts. There are tools to break bolt loose it is a breaker bar just like a ratchet but it will not move at all. One more thing spark plugs whould not be that tight.Only hand tighting them.
#23
Originally Posted by Icecream Truck
Where did you learn how to change spark plug at? You don't pry open the gap like that. You use the feeler gauge. Put the tabs at the spec. size then slide it in and out and that will place the gap right. Also don't ever ever ever use a torque wrench to break lose a spark plug or any other bolts. There are tools to break bolt loose it is a breaker bar just like a ratchet but it will not move at all. One more thing spark plugs whould not be that tight.Only hand tighting them.
I don't like anything to be touching the center electrode or porcelain of my plugs so I use pliers (needle nose) or my little gapping tool. I don't like feeler gauges.
Torque specs on the plugs are listed on the product (or car manual) for a reason. Torque is one of the most critical aspects of spark plug installation. "Torque directly affects the spark plugs' ability to transfer heat out of the combustion chamber. A spark plug that is under-torqued will not be fully seated on the cylinder head, hence heat transfer will be slowed. This will tend to elevate combustion chamber temperatures to unsafe levels, and pre-ignition and detonation will usually follow. Serious engine damage is not far behind.
An over-torqued spark plug can suffer from severe stress to the Metal Shell which in turn can distort the spark plug's inner gas seals or even cause a hairline fracture to the spark plug's insulator...in either case, heat transfer can again be slowed and the above mentioned conditions can occur."
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/techinf...200&country=US
#25
Originally Posted by firesquare
do iridium spark plugs really add "horsepower" or is that some marketing myth
are you all saying thet sparkplugs gotta be changed every 30,000?
are you all saying thet sparkplugs gotta be changed every 30,000?
30,000 is recommended for most plugs and 0.4mm iridium, but there are 0.7mm iridium that are said to last 100,000 (like in the 2000 model echos)
Originally Posted by firesquare
what size is the spark plug socket i need?
#27
just changed my spark plugs with the regular denso's and i must say it makes a difference, no more exhaust pops and take off is a bit better also with smoother idle. thanks for the info guys, just curious does anyone have a part number for the denso iridium plugs? i tried looking one up at work but they only came up for the echo are they the same?
#31
#33
Are you asking best brand?
Best performance?
Best value?
best material?
I think nickel is good, Platinum is better and Iridium is the best.
But if you don't want to pay for the iridium the platinum are good enough.
I always stick to NGK and denso.
Best performance?
Best value?
best material?
I think nickel is good, Platinum is better and Iridium is the best.
But if you don't want to pay for the iridium the platinum are good enough.
I always stick to NGK and denso.
#34
Thanks for wicked good f.a.q Echo B I have never done any engine stuff b4 and was super simple (my buddy who does work on cars helped a bit at first) super sweeeeet I also changed the pcv valve both were in terrible condition thanks again. .
#39
Originally Posted by Icecream_Truck
Where did you learn how to change spark plug at? You don't pry open the gap like that. You use the feeler gauge. Put the tabs at the spec. size then slide it in and out and that will place the gap right. Also don't ever ever ever use a torque wrench to break lose a spark plug or any other bolts. There are tools to break bolt loose it is a breaker bar just like a ratchet but it will not move at all. One more thing spark plugs whould not be that tight.Only hand tighting them.
I agree that a torque wrench shouldn't be used to break anything loose. It's made to measure torque when tightening a bolt/screw. Using it for anything else could potentially take it out of specification.
Hand tightening plugs would not be good. Remember that the plug goes directly into the top of the cylinder. If it doesn't seal correctly, the compression will be reduced which will cause a major loss of power and could damage the engine.