Sprak Plug Crush Gasket Replacement

[a-marshal]

I've been leery about pulling spark-plugs too many times in case I ruin the crush washers. Is that something I need to worry about?

If I am right to worry are these an acceptable replacement?

https://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalog/eppages/spgaskets.php
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-Ob. vehicle info....
1973 Westy w/ '74 1.8 liter / PDSI (type3?) carbs / 009 distributor / pertronix

[SGKent]

spark plugs.com has replacement Champion 14 mm crush washers for plugs.

https://www.sparkplugs.com/N678-Champion-14mm-Crushable-Gasket-p26421.aspx
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[raygreenwood]

Ooooh.....thanks for that link SGKent!. Along with the Aircraft Spruce.....I have another source I found a while back I will post later.

As for is not replacing the crush washer when gapping or checking....significant?

I used to never think about many years ago.....but between when I started installing a head temp sensor on my cars (which always made me worry about that plug staying tight)....and a few peculiarities I started finding....the occasional odd misfire from a plug or two that did not seem to be grounding right and were found to have worked slightly loose after gapping.......I started replacing the washers on every removal of plugs.

Yes....it was equal parts of not tight enough and the small amount of anti-seize combined. And yes.....I use a torque wrench and no.....when I say loose I do not mean turning out loose. I mean taking maybe 2-3 ft lbs to crack loose. And...finding more carbon leakage on the inner threads on plugs found that way.

They were cheap and readily available back in the 90s......and it made a difference.

Although its a different material set.....this practice has never been better illustrated than on my 2006 Jetta and my current 2012 Golf. When the plugs get gapped or inspected.....yes it uses and part # of nickel copper.....after gapping once.....unless you change the washer.....you will eventually in about 3000 miles get an odd at idle low frequency misfire. Whe. You go to check the plugs.....you will find that they take virtually no effort to crack loose. Maybe 1-2 ft. Pounds. So you have to up the torque on the previously crushed gaskets. And when you do the misfire goes away instantly.
Those modern systems use the plugs as a sensor (ion sensing) to hep set fuel mixture and spark advance.
Just that subtle change in ground is enough to make a difference.
Ray

[a-marshal]

Thanks SGKent for the link, I'm going to keep looking for a Canadian source since the cheapest shipping option from Sparkplugs was $30 US (and I drive past aircraft spruce every few weeks).
_________________
-Ob. vehicle info....
1973 Westy w/ '74 1.8 liter / PDSI (type3?) carbs / 009 distributor / pertronix

[alman72]

fix the thread title so later searchers can find

[Tcash]