By hand, how do you know when to stop? I tightened using only the socket until it stopped and then attached the rachet and turned it very gently until it stopped...Too frugal to buy a torque wrench!

 

um you don't need a torque wrench, just aspark plug socket and en extension and your good. Tight but not too tight you break it.

 

snug and a qtr turn

 

turn it w/ a simple wrench until it stops... then turn a pinch more .. done.

 

When you hear the porcelin crack back off 1/4 turn and your good...j/k . Usually just get them all about the same and snug will work...kinda like sticking an oil filter on....once it gets a tad hard to turn then add about a 1/4 to 1/2 turn and should be good.

 

the little diagram indicates a 1/16 turn past snug when you have sloped washers.
and something like a half turn when the washer is flat.

 

torque wrench = $20

Spark plug = 19ftlbs(what I use) believe specified is 17ftlbs

hand tighten = 2 finger special

 

3 bhaawhaps of a cordless impact thats our lexus torque spec at work.

 

i turn till the i feel the washer crush, and then go 1/4 turn.. i use a 6 inch 3/8 ratchet grasping it halfway..

why did i just type that.. if you cant figure out how to tighten plugs, get a mechanic or buy a torque wrench..

 

buy a torque wrench, you will use it elsewhere...get a beam unit from craftsman for $20-

buy anti-sieze, nickel based, use a "grain of rice" worth on the threads closer to the tip.

when torqueing new plugs, tighten to 15 ft/lbs, baack off 1/2 turn, tighten to 15 ft/lbs, back off 1/2 turn, tighten to 15-17 ft/lbs.

you always need to seat the crush washer of spark plugs in a high power application, if not, you'll find some loose plugs down the road.