Last Car Talk one of the callers had a problem where his spark plugs were popping out. Tom and Ray said the reason was that they were’ent installed tight enough in the first place. Home handyman mechanics: Don’t interpret this as a message to tighten the spark plugs as much as you can when you in…

Some people have “calibrated fingers”, some don’t. Personally, I am in the same situation as Mike, but would recommend George’s advice for others.

I know some engines are infamous for blowing out spark plugs even from the factory. My business had a HD Ford F450 truck that blew out two of them in the first couple months we had it.

I don’t know why, but it seems that whenever anyone posts here that their plug blew out, it’s always a Ford. We’ve had long debates about the use of torque wrenches for plug. For many years I never used one, but I go back before aluminum was everyehere. Now, after having seen so many complaints abo…

The big advantage of using a little lube on the threads – as I see it – occurs when removing the plugs 2-3 years later. If the threads on the plug stick to the aluminum threads in the cylinder head after the’ve been in there in that harsh environment for several years, sometime you damage the threa…

I also have never been one to use a torque wrench on spark plugs, and thanks to my father, neither is my younger brother. When he was 16, our father insisted on helping him change the spark plugs in his first car, and insisted he use a torque wrench to do it. He didn’t want to because the car had …

I also use anti-seize and tighten by hand using a 3/8 ratchet and holding only by the head of the ratchet, not the handle. Many years ago I had a 71 VW Bus and every time I changed the plugs they felt like they were cross threading or stripping. Never did though. I knew guys who raced with flat 4 …

Tip on blow-out spark plugs: Don't overtighten either

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MikeInNH February 1, 2012, 7:20pm 2

I’ve NEVER EVER used a torque wrench to tight down spark-plugs. I have one…just don’t use it for this. And NEVER EVER had a problem. I’ve never used grease…but have used anti-seize (especially on aluminum heads).

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Tip on blow-out spark plugs: Don't overtighten either

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