Spark plug torque....ANYONE ???????

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Dec 21, 2017 | 10:08 AM

#16

alloro

Fleet Owner

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 24,324

Likes: 5,136

From: 0,0,1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pastor Scott

thanks guys...going with 20 to be safe...I guess..

Why 20 when the spec is 25?

Dec 21, 2017 | 10:14 AM

#17

R&T Babich

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 1,812

Likes: 88

From: Thousand Oaks, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck's First Ford

aluminum heads are NOT NEW... ...

Yes, VWs have had aluminum heads a long time, too.
But, how many of those old engines did people leave the plugs in for 100k giving them time to work loose?
I always felt good if the plugs made it 25-30k.

Dec 21, 2017 | 12:01 PM

#18

Chuck's First Ford

Postmaster

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 4,392

Likes: 22

From: very South Texas

I have worked on many fleet cars... and removing spark plugs (GM) is 100,000 miles changes.. no problem..

and some over 150,000 miles... Iridium plugs last almost forever...
some fleet cars I have seen, average 50,000 miles per year..

spark plugs loosening is NOT common.. something else is going on...

Dec 21, 2017 | 12:53 PM

#19

redford

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 23,174

Likes: 1,679

From: Stephensville WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by CollinsCD

Broke about 6???? I thought the later 5.4 engines had the new plug design that didn't break?

The change to the upgraded spark was made during the '08 model year.

Dec 21, 2017 | 03:33 PM

#20

R&T Babich

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 1,812

Likes: 88

From: Thousand Oaks, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck's First Ford

...spark plugs loosening is NOT common.. something else is going on...

I agree it is not common, but when is happens it is really annoying.
I'm talking about issues with Triton Fords and how the OEM spark plug torque was 15 or 17 ft-lbs and is now (I've heard) 25 ft-lbs.
What is the OEM install torque for the Hondas and GMs?
The issue isn't whether the plugs will last 100k or 200k, it's will they stay tight?
A big factor in all of this is whether the vehicle is used for city or highway driving.
City driving will generate many more hot/cold cycles where the difference in expansion of steel vs aluminum becomes an issue.
If Ford had used 25 ft-lbs for the OEM plugs there would probably have been a lot fewer problems.