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Do you use a torque wrench for spark plugs?
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cb1990s
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 3:34 pm    Post subject: Do you use a torque wrench for spark plugs? Reply with quote

Just wondering what people’s thoughts are concerning spark plugs - do you use a torque wrench when installing plugs into aluminium VW heads? VW did specify a torque in the range of 22-29 foot pounds which seems like a lot, but in the owners manual they just say to tighten them snug and not over tighten. Just wondering if people think there is a ‘proper’ way to do it and if that’s with a torque wrench?

Last edited by cb1990s on Fri Oct 16, 2020 3:43 am; edited 1 time in total
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Zundfolge1432 Premium Member
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 4:26 pm    Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? Reply with quote

I cheat and use calibrated wrist method.
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Glenn Premium Member
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 4:38 pm    Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? Reply with quote

When you feel the crush washer stop crushing, stop then.
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Cusser
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 7:32 pm    Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? Reply with quote

I use a torque wrench on ONE of the 8 spark plugs in my two VWs; the one in my 1835cc engine that has a solid threaded insert.
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Dan the workingstiff
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 7:36 pm    Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? Reply with quote

Zundfolge1432 wrote:
I cheat and use calibrated wrist method.

^^^^^^^^^this^^^^^^^^^^
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 7:39 pm    Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? Reply with quote

idk depends on what your tightening.

edit- just realized the title says, "for spark plugs". sorry, please ignore me.
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Last edited by Chickensoup on Fri Oct 16, 2020 5:25 am; edited 1 time in total
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Sharp64
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 8:04 pm    Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? Reply with quote

I used to do them without. After having one pop out while in traffic I started tightening them to spec. No issues.
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57BLITZ
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 8:37 pm    Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? Reply with quote

Cusser wrote:
. . . engine that has a solid threaded insert.

Interesting that you mention that.
In over 40 years of messing with VWs, I don't ever remember using a torque wrench on a spark plug . . . and only one plug has ever been a problem . . . my son bought a '69 bug that the previous owner had a head repaired with one of those inserts . . . it failed!
On another topic . . . I do use my torque wrench on my wheel lug nuts. Wink
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scottyrocks
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 9:27 pm    Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? Reply with quote

In a delicate situation such as with spark plugs, I do use the calibrated wrist method, but I grab the ratchet handle at the head when I turn it which gives me a much better feel for what I'm doing (less torque multiplication) than holding the handle further down where I usually would for less delicate tightening.
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cb1990s
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 3:42 am    Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? Reply with quote

Sharp64 wrote:
I used to do them without. After having one pop out while in traffic I started tightening them to spec. No issues.


Was this due to over tightening?
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thomas.
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:45 am    Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench for spark plugs? Reply with quote

Some people frown on it but I use a dab of anti- seize and tighten to 25 ft. lbs. Engine cold.
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cb1990s
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 5:24 am    Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench for spark plugs? Reply with quote

thomas. wrote:
Some people frown on it but I use a dab of anti- seize and tighten to 25 ft. lbs. Engine cold.


Doesn’t anti seize increase the torque value slightly?
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 6:28 am    Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? Reply with quote

Glenn wrote:
When you feel the crush washer stop crushing, stop then.


X2

Even today on brand new cars I will run them in by hand until they stop then it's about 1/4 turn more to crush the washer.
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 6:39 am    Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench for spark plugs? Reply with quote

I don't use torque wrench. My first personal rule is not touching the plugs if motor is not dead cold. Period. Risk of thread damage is much lower if dead cold. When I replace plugs, I screw them in with my fingers and go as tight as my fingers allow. Then not more than half turn with the rathcet. So far has worked for me....
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 8:41 am    Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? Reply with quote

57BLITZ wrote:
In over 40 years of messing with VWs, I don't ever remember using a torque wrench on a spark plug . . . and only one plug has ever been a problem . . . my son bought a '69 bug that the previous owner had a head repaired with one of those inserts . . . it failed!


The first solid threaded insert I used did fail after 2 years, and on the way to a VW show at that !!! I did make it there, and back.

So I used a new solid threaded insert from the same box (red Loctite on the insert's outer threads and anti-seize on the spark plug threads) and used a torque wrench this time, to about 24 ft lbs and it has held for like 8 years so far. I feel that I babied it with the first insert, plus 24 ft lbs felt like more than I'd typically use on a factory cylinder head with good threads.

By the way: Time Sert is considered the best threaded repair insert, but those require renting or buying its special tools to seat the insert.
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wheel607
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:39 pm    Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? Reply with quote

Glenn wrote:
When you feel the crush washer stop crushing, stop then.


I have put in a couple thousand plugs in VWs since 1967 and this is the method I use.......always works.
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ZENVWDRIVER
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:52 pm    Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench for spark plugs? Reply with quote

NEVER, since 1966 - z
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