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Loose sparkplugs -- What causes that???

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Old 11-12-11 | 01:16 PM
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Question Loose sparkplugs -- What causes that???

Last weekend, the rear Leading plug was "loose".
This weekend, the front trailing plug was loose enough to turn with your fingers. Plugs were tight and anti-seazed just 2 weeks ago.


Searched but only found one reference to loose plugs with no resolution.

Thanks for any insight.
Old 11-12-11 | 01:22 PM
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Honestly, doesn't sound like they're tight enough.
Old 11-12-11 | 01:33 PM
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im always nervous of overtightening them and breaking the housing threads
Old 11-12-11 | 01:56 PM
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Sparkplugs use crush washers. They should not be crushed flat or else they will lose their anti-vibration properties. What condition are yours in?
Old 11-12-11 | 02:32 PM
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^ I agree. Either you are not making them tight enough or the washer is messed up or missing.



John
Old 11-12-11 | 02:34 PM
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did you two stage torqued them? or "tighten" by feel? Sounded like it was not torqued properly.

-AzEKnightz
Old 11-12-11 | 02:55 PM
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IIRC plugs are torqued between 9-13ft lbs. Depending on type of plug.

I torque mine to 11ft lbs. Dead in the middle. Haven't had a problem.
Old 11-12-11 | 03:08 PM
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The other thing that occurred to me is that if the threads are completely glopped (is that a word?) with anti-seize it may be preventing you from properly torquing them down.
Old 11-12-11 | 06:26 PM
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Also, god forbid you cross threaded the plugs, the plug can never seat properly thus never being "tight". I know you guys know from experience if you don't start the thread properly and just keep going it will spin on you then you're screwed lol.

Hopefully that didn't happen to you.
Old 11-12-11 | 10:58 PM
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I also recommend only swapping plugs when the engine is cold. The housings expand when hot.

It's ironic you post this, because I have a close friend who was having this problem on his supercharged Mustang. One of his plugs kept backing out causing a ticking noise and underpower. We simply put a little more torque on them when tightening them down. Problem ceased.
Old 11-12-11 | 11:01 PM
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i just go by feel, i turn with my hard untill its tight enough i need the tool, and give it a little tug and thats it, thats one thing i dont want to over tighten and need a new housing,
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