• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Fiesta ST Forum and Fiesta ST community dedicated to Fiesta ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Fiesta ST Forum today!


Spark Plug Install

Messages
214
Likes
6
Location
Council Bluffs
#1
So here is the deal. My dad and I are installing stage colder plugs from Tune+ but the plugs don't seem to be setting. We are getting, what feels to be, no torque when installing the plugs. They seem to start to tighten, but then it loosens back up. We can't pull it out with a plug socket so we would have to guess that they are in there really well. Anybody else run into this when changing plugs?

Mind you we aren't noobs by any means. Are these just that deep or ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 


dyn085

2000 Post Club
Messages
2,434
Likes
820
Location
Vancouver
#2
Are you saying that they won't torque up at all or are your describing the feeling while threading them in? If it's the latter, that's normal. If it's the former...you're in for a bad day unless your OEM plugs can torque up.
 


frankiefiesta

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,852
Likes
509
Location
forked river
#3
My normal plug socket doesn't fit when changing plugs on this car.

I use a normal 5/8 socket (I believe that's the size) to loosen and tighten the plugs.

I use the plug socket to take the spark plug out/start the threads. Then I have to switch over to the normal 5/8 socket again. Hope this helps
 


dyn085

2000 Post Club
Messages
2,434
Likes
820
Location
Vancouver
#4
My normal plug socket doesn't fit when changing plugs on this car.

I use a normal 5/8 socket (I believe that's the size) to loosen and tighten the plugs.

I use the plug socket to take the spark plug out/start the threads. Then I have to switch over to the normal 5/8 socket again. Hope this helps
Oh, I understand now. It has something to do with the head because I had to do the same. Spark plug socket to get the plug in/out but a regular socket to torque/break torque. I never took a micrometer to the outside of the two sockets but the spark plug socket definitely doesn't get all the way down.
 


OP
J
Messages
214
Likes
6
Location
Council Bluffs
Thread Starter #5
We got the stock plug to torque down.

Does the socket plug make the plug just spin in the chamber? Hence the use of a standard 5/8 socket?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 


OP
J
Messages
214
Likes
6
Location
Council Bluffs
Thread Starter #6
We got the stock plug to torque down.

Does the socket plug make the plug just spin in the chamber? Hence the use of a standard 5/8 socket?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 


frankiefiesta

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,852
Likes
509
Location
forked river
#7
We got the stock plug to torque down.

Does the socket plug make the plug just spin in the chamber? Hence the use of a standard 5/8 socket?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Try using a normal socket to torque it down. If not I would try to shine a light down there. Hopefully you didn't cross thread the head !
 


Messages
89
Likes
26
Location
DFW
#8
My normal plug socket doesn't fit when changing plugs on this car.

I use a normal 5/8 socket (I believe that's the size) to loosen and tighten the plugs.

I use the plug socket to take the spark plug out/start the threads. Then I have to switch over to the normal 5/8 socket again. Hope this helps
I had to do this too

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk
 


OP
J
Messages
214
Likes
6
Location
Council Bluffs
Thread Starter #9
I would hope since the sticker went in that it wouldn't be cross threaded. I'll give this a shot with a standard socket and see what happens


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 


dyn085

2000 Post Club
Messages
2,434
Likes
820
Location
Vancouver
#12
We got the stock plug to torque down.

Does the socket plug make the plug just spin in the chamber? Hence the use of a standard 5/8 socket?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
No, the head just doesn't allow the socket to come all the way down with the spark plug. Basically, you thread the plug further down than the socket can go before it will torque. It must just be a pretty close tolerance compared to the outside diameter of some spark plug sockets.
 


OP
J
Messages
214
Likes
6
Location
Council Bluffs
Thread Starter #16
UPDATE: Got it all installed! The socket swap idea was golden. Used a small amount of anti seize as well. Drove for about 60 miles and it seemed to be running just fine. Didn't notice too much of a difference. Now once I data log after this oil change I can send the files to Adam and get my tune touched up! Thanks for the help everyone.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 


OffTheWall503

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,991
Likes
455
Location
Memphis, TN
#17
I just did mine this past weekend and never had issues. Stock plugs came out easy and the Tune+ plugs I initially installed with a 5/8" socket wrench attached to a 6" extension and tightened them by hand as far as I could, then did a final 1/4 turn tighten with a socket wrench.
 


jeff

2000 Post Club
Messages
2,309
Likes
3,220
Location
Evans
#19
No, the head just doesn't allow the socket to come all the way down with the spark plug. Basically, you thread the plug further down than the socket can go before it will torque. It must just be a pretty close tolerance compared to the outside diameter of some spark plug sockets.
I ran into this issue awhile back. Not all sockets are made the same. I also used a dab of antiseize.

http://www.fiestastforum.com/forum/threads/2671-Spark-plug-socket-size?highlight=spark+plug
Odd... The spark plug socket I use (5/8, Craftsman) does the whole job.
Thanks to all for this thread.

I just changed mine, very odd situation and I know I'm not the first. They come out no problem, but at least in my case, even using the proper size spark plug socket, they will not turn in all the way. The socket prohibits this. The shaft that the plug sits in is so narrow in circumference that the socket can't get in there and therefore the plug won't turn all the way. I ended up taking a dremel to my socket and shaved off a bit of the last 1/2" all around, making it slightly thinner, which allowed it to enter that channel/shaft and for the torque wrench to click. Car seems to run fine. Very odd...........word to the wise.

Maybe the craftsman tools others have referenced are made differently than what I have (off brand spark plug socket set) and therefore work....gonna have to get a set for next time.
 


me32

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,829
Likes
264
Location
fairfield
#20
I have ran into the same deal as others. Takes a longer 5/8 socket with a tight tolerance. Other wise the spark plug won't sit all the way down. Also use antisize. It helps the new plug thread in smooth. I notice that carbon build up on the old plug threads
 


Similar threads



Top