I am having trouble with my spark plugs, they all seem to come loose and then usually i get a random misfire code. I don't feel as if the threads are stripped because i can get them snug in there. Im usin ngk tr55s and I tighten them pretty snug by hand first and then snug by ratchet wrench.

They usually get loose by them selves and i can wiggle them with my hand. A few times, they've gotten loose to where i can unscrew it with my hand.

Is it possible that my block is just expanding and there is nothing i can do about it from the heat?


I think my problem is that i used anti seize and didnt clean the threads before and i think i used TOOO much anti seize. Is this causing them to become loose? How can i clean the threads out good and should i even bother putting the anti seize in again when i reinstall? Also, i dont have a torque wrench that will fit in the little nooks and crannies so i was wondering how tight i should make them with my wrench? I usually go as tight as i feel comfortable i wont break them.

 

Only snug them, basically once your wratchet stops, put less then a 1/4 turn on it. Theres no need to kill them. Use a q-tip to clean off extra anti seize.

 

Snug em up with the heads warm, and as the heads cool, they will cinch down on the threads and hold them nicely.

 

Is it normal to be able to wiggle them with your hand? IT takes quite a bit of turning with the ratchet to make sure they cant wiggle.

 

If they wiggle, odds are the plugs (head) is cross-threaded. I dont like the NGK plugs because of their tip design (it seperates from the plug instead of being one piece) and use autolites, but you should not be able to wiggle a plug.

 

One thing you definately need to watch out for is OVER tightening them. In the battle of steel threads (plug) VS aluminum threads (head), the steel is going to win every time! Pulling the threads out of the head is a very real possibility if you crank down on the plugs. Just snug 'em in there good and then just a little more to cinch them down. They shouldn't be backing out either. Anti seize is a good thing, but don't use it like axle grease.

Dave C.

 

I tried tightening them when warm but i either burn my hands or they feel exactly the same as fully cooled tightness wise. I don't think i stripped or cross threaded anything unless the previous owner did. Do you think if i took every plug out and cleaned the threads out really good and just used whatever anti seize was left over in between the threads would that work out for me?

 

What's the part number on the plugs?

 

If they're not cross threaded im sure u just have too much anti seize on em, i'd clean them off

 

Just wondering if you have headers? Even sometimes with manifolds the spark plug socket hits either the header or the manifold....and smushes the socket between the header and the plug....It seems as if they are tight, but they arnt. I have seen it happen quite a few times actaully,

 

How about using a torque wrench.