j9chan

Hi guys, I'm thinking of changing my own spark plugs from now on instead of getting ripped off by shops. I'm just wondering what kind of tools I will need and how much should I expect to spend on the tools? Thanks a lot!

imported_BoOsTd

Ratchet, extension, deep socket (forget what size, somone else remember?) with a rubber insert to pull the plugg out with the socket (sparkplug socket)...

imported_BoOsTd

oh one other thing...when replaceing with the new ones, dont over tighten them, or else you will **** your head, or never get them back out the next time...

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

there are spark plug specific sockets, two sizes... you need the smaller one. You NEED the spark plug socket cuz it has a rubber boot inside that grabs the plug, cuz they are so deep in the head for all OHC motors. Any decent tool kit you buy at CT or Sears will have one of these.

imported_BoOsTd

I did my pluggs getto style once (somone borrowed my sparkplug socket and didnt return it..arrg) so I just used a plain deep socket, and had to fish the plugs out with a pair of needle nose pliers lol... well it wasnt funny at the time...It was one of the single most frustarteing experiances Ive had in my Garage lets just say I dont recomend this method, and to spend a few bucks on a proper socket...

j9chan

I heard people mention the need of a torque wrench or something... is that needed? How do I know I didn't overtighten the plugs when I put them in?

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

BoostZex, getting them back in would be an even bigger pain in the ****.

j9chan, use anti-seize on the threads, then tighten lightly till they are SNUG!!!! then give it a 1/4 turn more. That is all... a torque wrench is $100, and by the sounds of it you won't get very much use out of it.

j9chan

I see! Thanks bbarbulo! But what is an anti-seize? (pardon me for the dumb question!)

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

it's this "grease" that I use religiously on all bolts, screws, nuts (lug nuts too, esp the open tuner style)... everything... I do a lot of susp work, and nothing I hate more than seized bolts... so I use anti-seize on every susp component I've ever touched (and since I replaced every component in my susp, that's every nut and bolt ) Anyways, for spark plugs... most modern cars have aluminium heads... aluminium is easy to strip and LOVES to seize up. The key is to apply anti-seize to the threads so that in 6 mos when you do your spark plugs again, you don't worry about breaking off a spak plug inside the head. And yes, I've seen it happen to a friend... he broke the sucker right off cuz the plugs were seized in the head. You don't want that...

Right, you buy it at Canadian Tire it's made by Loctite and Permatex and it's a silver paste. Anyone at CT should be able to direct you to it unless they are completely braindead. Use only NGK COPPER plugs (V-groove for Imports).

imported_BoOsTd

Yes it was a pain to get them back in...was afraid of droping one around the edge of the whole and causing the gap to close on the plugg...

j9chan buy antiseize compound at canadian tire, its a small plastic jar...its a lubrication that you ****** onto the threads on the plugg to stop your threads from seizing over time...

j9chan

Thanks guys, you guys are great! I will go get the tools and do it up on my own next time when it comes time to replace the plugs! When I got my car used at the end of last year, I bought these platinum plugs for a garage to install for me... back then I didn't know copper plugs are actually better... Now 17,000km later, do you think I should get rid of them?

imported_DT80

can u use just any type of grease and rub it on a little??

turbo_ricer

Just spoken to a mate of mine, he says the threads on the Honda plugs are 17mm, just so u know what socket to look for, as i think u can get 19mm too.

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

no grease.... grease will break down under that heat. Anti-seize has a metal additive blended in, hence the silver color of the stuff.