Index spark plugs

iskyfly · Post by **iskyfly** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:23 am

Neon 05 ATX 67Kmiles. Purchased used @ 55k miles. Everything stock (to my knowledge).

I don't know the service history of the car. I get the oil done 3 or 3 and add techron to the gas.

One sensor went bad 6 months ago (cam position I think) and had that replaced. Problem solved.

Going to change the plugs myself with OE champs. A friend of mine said I should index the plugs. Never heard of this (then again I have never done preventative maint on cars before). Looked up indexing plugs on the web. Some people say its good for racing (which I dont). My use of the car is simple - point a to point b.

Should I index? If I were to go to a service station and ask for a tune up, would they index?

thanks

OB · Post by OB » Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:25 am

The only way to index is to buy multiple sets of plugs and mix and match them until you have 4 that are threaded just right to face the electrode the same direction. I've heard it can be a very time consuming and costly procedure, and IMO it isn't worth the 1/4 hp it might get you.

iskyfly · Post by **iskyfly** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:29 am

Thanks. I heard you could use washers to help with indexing versus buying a bunch and finding the right sets. I'm not looking for extra hp. Just dont want to anything "wrong".

OB · Post by OB » Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:32 am

Using washers wouldn't be a good idea if you ask me. That would decrease the amount of threads securing the plug. Not to mention, you'd have to use a pretty thick washer to get any decent amount of difference. It would still be a long process of trial and error regardless. Not worth the trouble or the time.

iskyfly · Post by **iskyfly** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:06 am

great. thanks! so out go the old and in go the new with correct gap and torque.

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:33 pm

iskyfly wrote:great. thanks! so out go the old and in go the new with correct gap and torque.

Coat the spark plug threads with anti-seize compound before installing. Also coat either the top of the plug or the inside of the spark plug connector on the wire with dielectric grease to make removal easier.

If you find oil inside the spark plug tubes it could be the tube has lifted out of position or that the tube seal at the valve cover has gone bad.

iskyfly · Post by **iskyfly** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:50 pm

Paul56 wrote:
iskyfly wrote:great. thanks! so out go the old and in go the new with correct gap and torque.
Coat the spark plug threads with anti-seize compound before installing. Also coat either the top of the plug or the inside of the spark plug connector on the wire with dielectric grease to make removal easier.

If you find oil inside the spark plug tubes it could be the tube has lifted out of position or that the tube seal at the valve cover has gone bad.

thanks for the suggestion on the anti-seize and grease.

what would the "fix" be if I do find oil inside the spark plug tubes?

randomZERO · Post by **randomZERO** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:55 pm

A hammer and a 2x4.

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:37 am

iskyfly wrote:
Paul56 wrote:
iskyfly wrote:great. thanks! so out go the old and in go the new with correct gap and torque.
Coat the spark plug threads with anti-seize compound before installing. Also coat either the top of the plug or the inside of the spark plug connector on the wire with dielectric grease to make removal easier.

If you find oil inside the spark plug tubes it could be the tube has lifted out of position or that the tube seal at the valve cover has gone bad.
thanks for the suggestion on the anti-seize and grease.

what would the "fix" be if I do find oil inside the spark plug tubes?

It would depend on where the oil is coming from...

If the tubes have risen a temporary fix is to find a socket that will fit nicely over the top of the tubes and gently hammer them back into place. Sometimes the tubes will not rise again. I have ONE tube on mine that will consistently slowly rise over time. If I keep hammering it back down the oil stays out... I've been procrastinating with the real fix which is to re-seat the tube.

If the seals around the top of the tube are shot such that oil is leaking from that point then you will need to remove the valve cover the replace those seals.

Do a search on "spark plug tubes" in the forum and you will find plenty of threads along with more detailed descriptions of the fix(es).

iskyfly · Post by **iskyfly** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:52 am

thanks all!

Post by **racer12306** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:53 am

Washers is typically how its done. But its really not worth especially on a stock engine.

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:43 pm

iskyfly wrote: If I were to go to a service station and ask for a tune up, would they index?

thanks

Emphatically, Positively, Absolutely NOT.

A service station, tune up shop, dealership, etc., would NEVER take the time to index plugs as part of a tune up, period.

Now, if you went to a tuner, with a chassis dyno & tune race cars, then yes, they might do something like that, if you requested it....

- Nick

2GN.ORG

Index spark plugs

Index spark plugs

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