how tight to do up spark plugs? advice please
Discussion
put the new ones in with one of those T-bar things which works well enough as the knuckle head allows you to get to all 8 plugs without too much bother, but it's not easy to tell how tight they're done up as the knuckle joint 'goes stiff' as you turn it through certain degrees....if you get what i mean...and it's hard to tell if you should tighten it further or not...anyway if anyone has a tip or two on how to do this properly I'd appreciate it 
The torque setting for spark plugs given by Land Rover is 20nm, that's about 15ft.lbs.
Whilst I have to admit that finger-tight +1/4 turn is more of a universal constant than the speed of light, it is not, perhaps, precise. A little bit of carbon can 'confuse' finger-tight.
With a T-handled plug spanner you are struggling with ways to fit a torque wrench on it. What I would suggest is that you use the f-t+1/4 as a guideline but ensure that each plug requires the same amount of force more or less.
New plugs have to have the washer compressed. They will have a different ‘feel’ to one which is being replaced after cleaning.
Professional mechanics who have been doing the job for years often eschew torque wrenches but I have to say that for steel bolts into alloy there's a lot to be said for forking out the extra money for a socket set and torque wrench.
Whilst I have to admit that finger-tight +1/4 turn is more of a universal constant than the speed of light, it is not, perhaps, precise. A little bit of carbon can 'confuse' finger-tight.
With a T-handled plug spanner you are struggling with ways to fit a torque wrench on it. What I would suggest is that you use the f-t+1/4 as a guideline but ensure that each plug requires the same amount of force more or less.
New plugs have to have the washer compressed. They will have a different ‘feel’ to one which is being replaced after cleaning.
Professional mechanics who have been doing the job for years often eschew torque wrenches but I have to say that for steel bolts into alloy there's a lot to be said for forking out the extra money for a socket set and torque wrench.
Always start the plugs by hand until you meet resistance its far too easy to strip the threads in the aluminium head if you are not careful and then its a major job to sort out. If they are reluctant to enter, a dab of copper ease on the threads will help. So finger tight then 1/4 turn will be fine. Whatever you do, DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN!
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