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cb1990s Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2019 Posts: 314 Location: UK
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 3:34 pm Post subject: Do you use a torque wrench for spark plugs? |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2004 Posts: 12467
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 4:26 pm Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? |
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I cheat and use calibrated wrist method. |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76911 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 4:38 pm Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? |
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When you feel the crush washer stop crushing, stop then. _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
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Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31362 Location: Hot Arizona
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 7:32 pm Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? |
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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. _________________ 1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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Dan the workingstiff Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2006 Posts: 824 Location: Downriver, MI
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 7:36 pm Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? |
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Zundfolge1432 wrote: |
I cheat and use calibrated wrist method. |
^^^^^^^^^this^^^^^^^^^^ _________________ '69 Beetle
'66 FG buggy
My other air-cooled's
'76 IH 1200
'75 IH 1200 |
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Chickensoup Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2018 Posts: 5368 Location: Good Hope, GA
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 7:39 pm Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? |
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idk depends on what your tightening.
edit- just realized the title says, "for spark plugs". sorry, please ignore me. _________________ -'85 c10 5.3 LS, 222 cam, long tubes, x pipe, 3 inch spin tech's
-'05 B5.5 TDI Wagon 17in sport rims ;EGR + BSM + ASV Delete, Stage-2 Tune, straight pipe
'65 Tourist Delivery Build
'66 RIP
'69 RIP
Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge"
Last edited by Chickensoup on Fri Oct 16, 2020 5:25 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Sharp64 Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2015 Posts: 5304 Location: Central Florida
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 8:04 pm Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? |
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I used to do them without. After having one pop out while in traffic I started tightening them to spec. No issues. _________________ 1960 Indigo Blue Ragtop (Blue Barry)
1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
“...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” - Michael Caine |
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57BLITZ Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2012 Posts: 2385 Location: DEEK - U.S.A.
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 8:37 pm Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? |
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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. _________________ Jesucristo es mi Señor y Salvador! |
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scottyrocks Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2016 Posts: 2661 Location: Long Island, NY
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 9:27 pm Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? |
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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. _________________ “If you care for a thing long enough, it takes on a life of its own, doesn't it? Mending old things, preserving them, looking after them – on some level there's no rational grounds for it.”
– D. Tartt, 'The Goldfinch' |
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cb1990s Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2019 Posts: 314 Location: UK
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 3:42 am Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? |
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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. Samba Member
Joined: July 31, 2010 Posts: 1291 Location: South West (Pa.)
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:45 am Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench for spark plugs? |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2019 Posts: 314 Location: UK
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 5:24 am Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench for spark plugs? |
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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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61SNRF Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2009 Posts: 4657 Location: Whittier 90602
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 6:28 am Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? |
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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. _________________ -Bruce
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. |
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leowagen Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2018 Posts: 171 Location: Argentina
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 6:39 am Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench for spark plugs? |
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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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Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31362 Location: Hot Arizona
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 8:41 am Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? |
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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. _________________ 1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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wheel607 Samba Member
Joined: May 30, 2004 Posts: 1847
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:39 pm Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench? |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2008 Posts: 3340 Location: N.E. Oklahoma
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:52 pm Post subject: Re: Do you use a torque wrench for spark plugs? |
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NEVER, since 1966 - z _________________ 5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON
All super-heroes, wear a MASK |
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