Spark plugs - anti-seize or not?

[Tampa330i]

Are you on the original fuel filter?

As far as I know, yes.

gr330zhp - Last I looked the oil was very minimal and had not gotten into any of the spark plug wells, yet. When I change the plugs, before I clean that up, I'll get a picture. It's almost definitely coming from the center valve cover bolt, closest to the front. At least, that's how it looks. There was such a small amount it could not have gone into a spark plug well as of the last time I looked.

I'll get the picture, clean it up, change the plugs, then let everyone know how it drives after that and if the oil comes back. It'll probably be a week or so of driving before I can get back in there to check on the oil.

[RVAzhp]

you technically shouldn't need to use it, the plugs are only supposed to be torqued to 18 lb/tq

IIRC they have changed spec to 22 now, but no comment on anti-seize

long story short- one shouldn't be tightening them to need anti-seize. i've never used any on any of my cars.

[kayger12]

long story short- one shouldn't be tightening them to need anti-seize. i've never used any on any of my cars.

Had little to do with tightening torque.

Has much more to do with heating/cooling cycles and the interaction of the metals.

I don't think anyone is saying you need anti-seize. Just saying that it makes removal easier and reduces risk.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[WOLFN8TR]

Had little to do with tightening torque.

Has much more to do with heating/cooling cycles and the interaction of the metals.

I don't think anyone is saying you need anti-seize. Just saying that it makes removal easier and reduces risk.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

Exactly....

[Tampa330i]

Weather permitting, I'll get this done tomorrow. I just have one more question about plugs before I do - even though these are pre-gapped, should they be checked before installation? And if so, how are these checked? I've never had a spark plug with 4 prongs and my traditional teaching of how to gap a spark plug doesn't seem to fit how these plugs look. Is there a special tool for these type of plugs? Thanks for all the input everyone!

[kayger12]

Weather permitting, I'll get this done tomorrow. I just have one more question about plugs before I do - even though these are pre-gapped, should they be checked before installation? And if so, how are these checked? I've never had a spark plug with 4 prongs and my traditional teaching of how to gap a spark plug doesn't seem to fit how these plugs look. Is there a special tool for these type of plugs? Thanks for all the input everyone!

No need to gap those. They're good to go.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[MrMaico]

Weather permitting, I'll get this done tomorrow. I just have one more question about plugs before I do - even though these are pre-gapped, should they be checked before installation? And if so, how are these checked? I've never had a spark plug with 4 prongs and my traditional teaching of how to gap a spark plug doesn't seem to fit how these plugs look. Is there a special tool for these type of plugs? Thanks for all the input everyone!

No need to gap those. They're good to go.

+1 About all you can do is eyeball them to make sure none of the prongs look like they might have gotten bent somehow.

As far as anti-sieze I debated it but since my old ones came out fine and the NGK's said right on the box that none was needed I went without. Mine had about 75,000 on them and as far as I know they were the originals.

[Tampa330i]

Awesome, thanks! I just finished changing them out, along with the rubber washer for one of the valve cover bolts. I got some before pics of the leakage area, but I don't think it matters, I'm sure the vcg needs replacing anyway. I took out all the coils and lined them up, not good, oil on all of them but the one I just replaced - all across a line that seems to line right up with the gasket. Got a pic of that as well. The old spark plugs are all factory for sure, they're absolutely nasty looking. One thing I am concerned about... the torque wrench I have has such a large scale on it, I can't accurately measure the 18-20something ftlbs needed, 20 ftlbs is the lowest measure and it goes up to 140. I tightened them down maybe 1/4 turn past hand tight, but I don't have any other way to measure it currently. I think I know the answer, but should I open it back up and get it checked to make sure they're not too loose or tight? Am I going to blow up if I drive it and those numbers are slightly off? When I pulled the old plugs, they took A LOT of force at first, but I imagine they should not be tightened to that point, as they were also quite filthy and caked with god knows what. All of them had a little squeak on the way out. I'm going to take a short drive and see if there's any noticeable difference.

[Tampa330i]

Leak from valve cover bolt:


Coils with oil around centers (except the new one, 4th from bottom):


First valve cover bolt & washer removed:


Nasty old plugs:


Close-up of nasty old plugs:

[zj96sc]

I would've done all 15 grommets, but you can pick them all up if you're doing a VCG soon.