Spark Plug Torque Wrench

Message

Falco9 · #1 Post by **Falco9** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 8:03 pm

You live and learn, because in all my years wielding spanners I've either been completely ignorant or blind because I never knew such a tool existed!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SYKES-PICKAVANT-F ... 255613e8f8

So if your worried about that giving that spark plug the extra half turn when installing them, then this could be a great tool for you

Unless of course everyone reading this is already aware of them and wondering how I've been in the dark for so long!

F9

Samray · #2 Post by **Samray** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 8:20 pm

RRP: £45.98

back_marker · #3 Post by **back_marker** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 8:58 pm

Why bother? It's just a preset torque wrench that doesn't even come with a plug socket. Better off just buying an adjustable one if you're that bothered about it.

BikerGran · #4 Post by **BikerGran** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 2:25 am

Never uinderstood why people need a torque wrench anyway if they have any sort of 'feel' for mechanicking!

As for plugs - I was always taught finger tight then just 'nip it up'. Works every time for me.

fastasfcuk · #5 Post by **fastasfcuk** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:30 am

as biker says,the only time i use one is for cyl heads and the axle nuts on the falco.

D-Rider · #6 Post by **D-Rider** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 10:12 am

Nope - never heard of one and see no value in getting one.

Falco9 · #7 Post by **Falco9** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:13 am

D-Rider wrote:Nope - never heard of one and see no value in getting one.

I'm of the same opinion Andy, never needed one and never had a problem, so why do I have this overwhelming desire to buy one now I know they exisit???

I think I'm being slowly seduced to the idea of just knowing all the my spark plugs would be bang on the 18nm setting

Wierd eh? still for those who do worry about these things (and I know plenty of people who have stripped spark plug threads) this will be a nice little tool box addition and its only a tenner!

F9

Samray · #8 Post by **Samray** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:20 am

and its only a tenner!

+ a fiver postage?

Falco9 · #9 Post by **Falco9** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:27 am

Samray wrote:
and its only a tenner!
+ a fiver postage?

Good point I hadn't looked at that yet........Standard eBay seller tactic these days isn't it? charge 50% of the value of the sale item in postage costs

Mind you I sent a 17" LCD monitor via the post yesterday (2nd class) and it cost nearly a tenner!!!! I vaguely remember when the post was reasonably cheap

F9

back_marker · #10 Post by **back_marker** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:56 pm

BikerGran wrote:Never uinderstood why people need a torque wrench anyway if they have any sort of 'feel' for mechanicking!

As for plugs - I was always taught finger tight then just 'nip it up'. Works every time for me.

Unfortunately I'm a fully paid up member of the "tweak it... tweak it... tweak it... bugger" club and frequently use a torque wrench to stop myself over tightening things.

It's quite surprising how little torque is needed on some bolts, to the point that i have often overtightened bolts before I've got the torque wrench out to torque them up.

Falcopops · #11 Post by **Falcopops** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 9:23 pm

back_marker wrote:Unfortunately I'm a fully paid up member of the "tweak it... tweak it... tweak it... bugger" club and frequently use a torque wrench to stop myself over tightening things.

It's quite surprising how little torque is needed on some bolts, to the point that i have often overtightened bolts before I've got the torque wrench out to torque them up.

Yup, that's me that is

fastasfcuk · #12 Post by **fastasfcuk** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 9:57 pm

the thing is with torque renches they should be calibrated regulally. not all can be and at that price i doubt it can be so your not going to be sure and holding your breath.

Fausto · #13 Post by **Fausto** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:30 pm

And the thing with spark plugs is that most of the time just 'giving them a quick twist and it should be ok' is fine where they are easy to access so you can retighten if they come loose but those buggers in the front cylinder need to be fit and forget so I would spend a little time making sure I got it right.

Having said that I am happy with the finger tight until the washer bites then a quarter turn with a wrench technique

D-Rider · #14 Post by **D-Rider** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 2:13 pm

Fausto wrote:And the thing with spark plugs is that most of the time just 'giving them a quick twist and it should be ok' is fine where they are easy to access so you can retighten if they come loose but those buggers in the front cylinder need to be fit and forget so I would spend a little time making sure I got it right.

Having said that I am happy with the finger tight until the washer bites then a quarter turn with a wrench technique

I think the "finger tight + a quarter" is not necessarily a good guide in all circumstances.
The plugs come with a washer that gets crushed on first fitment. Therefore, the strain of the "+ a quarter" will be very different on subsequent fitments - after you've removed to inspect/clean.

I use my inbuilt "tighten 'till it feels right" gauge - seldom have a problem with that (never on a plug ..... so far).

I use a torque wrench for some things - particularly where things need to be torqued down evenly - but wherever practical I do it by feel.

(Oh I do hope that last statement doesn't get Aladinsaneuk and Jadaris over-excited again)

Aladinsaneuk · #15 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 2:19 pm

you can remember that far back?[/quote]