spark plugs
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Originally Posted by WannaBFast
yea.. you gotta torque them.. otherwise they will start loosening.. and eventually fly out the threads and cause some damage
I think that is EXTREMELY rare... Ok that just will never happen.
The plugs have like 1" of threads on them, They are not going to loosing out that much.
I've alway's snugged them like a drain plug and have never had a problem.
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Originally Posted by wildstylegraff1
i need to know on an 2001 lx do the spark plugs have to be tourqued and is there a way to do it. i've been told to tighten them til they are snug is that true someone help..
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From: NV
Rep Power: 811 I would highly recommend a torque wrench. The plugs are supposed to be a certain distance, so it's important. And I believe it's 13 ft/lbs you want.
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From: Rancho Cucamonga
Rep Power: 269 See, some of us say to torque them, others say that you dont need to.
I can honestly say that just tighten them a bit more than the usual and your good to go. Its really not that big a deal...others are a bit **** about it, but, if you want to torque them...torque them. If you dont want to, then dont. Its really not needed.
I can honestly say that just tighten them a bit more than the usual and your good to go. Its really not that big a deal...others are a bit **** about it, but, if you want to torque them...torque them. If you dont want to, then dont. Its really not needed.
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From: NV
Rep Power: 811 4 FOUR! As in 4 cylinder engine.
Yes you NEED to torque them. Too loose the engine will overheat, too tight and they won't come out next time. Take your chances if you want.
Yes you NEED to torque them. Too loose the engine will overheat, too tight and they won't come out next time. Take your chances if you want.
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Originally Posted by gearbox
4 FOUR! As in 4 cylinder engine.
Yes you NEED to torque them. Too loose the engine will overheat, too tight and they won't come out next time. Take your chances if you want.
Yes you NEED to torque them. Too loose the engine will overheat, too tight and they won't come out next time. Take your chances if you want.
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Rep Power: 0 Torque by definition is a twisting force. So if you are attaching any fastener such as a screw, bolt, or a nut, you are applying torque. Whether it is with your fingers, or a wrench, you apply torque. I believe what everybody is asking is if it needs to be torqued to a specific value. In this case, you would need a torque wrench to measure this torque.
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Originally Posted by gearbox
But civic isn't a truck, it's a car. 
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Originally Posted by gearbox
But civic isn't a truck, it's a car.
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From: Texas
Rep Power: 290 Here's what NGK's website says:
"Torque is one of the most critical aspects of spark plug installation. Torque directly affects the spark plugs' ability to transfer heat out of the combustion chamber. A spark plug that is under-torqued will not be fully seated on the cylinder head, hence heat transfer will be slowed. This will tend to elevate combustion chamber temperatures to unsafe levels, and pre-ignition and detonation will usually follow. Serious engine damage is not far behind. An over-torqued spark plug can suffer from severe stress to the Metal Shell which in turn can distort the spark plug's inner gas seals or even cause a hairline fracture to the spark plug's insulator...in either case, heat transfer can again be slowed and the above mentioned conditions can occur. The spark plug holes must always be cleaned prior to installation, otherwise you may be torquing against dirt or debris and the spark plug may actually end up under-torqued, even though your torque wrench says otherwise. Of course, you should only install spark plugs in a cool engine, because metal expands when its hot and installation may prove difficult. Proper torque specs for both aluminum and cast iron cylinder heads are listed below."
According to NGK's chart, stock 1.7L Civics have 14 mm thread diameters, so they should be torqued to 18.0~21.6 lb-ft.
"Torque is one of the most critical aspects of spark plug installation. Torque directly affects the spark plugs' ability to transfer heat out of the combustion chamber. A spark plug that is under-torqued will not be fully seated on the cylinder head, hence heat transfer will be slowed. This will tend to elevate combustion chamber temperatures to unsafe levels, and pre-ignition and detonation will usually follow. Serious engine damage is not far behind. An over-torqued spark plug can suffer from severe stress to the Metal Shell which in turn can distort the spark plug's inner gas seals or even cause a hairline fracture to the spark plug's insulator...in either case, heat transfer can again be slowed and the above mentioned conditions can occur. The spark plug holes must always be cleaned prior to installation, otherwise you may be torquing against dirt or debris and the spark plug may actually end up under-torqued, even though your torque wrench says otherwise. Of course, you should only install spark plugs in a cool engine, because metal expands when its hot and installation may prove difficult. Proper torque specs for both aluminum and cast iron cylinder heads are listed below."
According to NGK's chart, stock 1.7L Civics have 14 mm thread diameters, so they should be torqued to 18.0~21.6 lb-ft.
