Common Spark Plug Installation Mistakes that Cost You Gas Mileage on Your Car or Truck

Avoid these common spark plug installation mistakes that cost you gas mileage on your car or truck! In this video, Len shows you some common installation mistakes that you should avoid making when installing new spark plugs in your car or truck! Spark plugs can be easily damaged, which will create huge headaches and excessive fuel consumption in your vehicle!

0:00 Common Spark Plug Installation Mistakes that Cost You Gas Mileage on Your Car or Truck
0:47 Make sure your new spark plugs are the correct size and type!
2:56 Spark plugs aren't designed to have lubricant or anti-seize compound on the threads
4:10 Use the proper spark plug socket to prevent damage

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⚠ DISCLAIMER:
While 1A Auto strives to make the information provided in this video as accurate as possible, it makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or applicability of the content. No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. All do-it-yourself projects entail some risk. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to assume this risk. 1A Auto is not responsible or liable for any loss damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or resulting from any information posted in this video.

[DaveSomething]

I love the magnetic sparkity plug sockets... wonderful invention.

[WoolleyWoolf]

This guy is cool and family friendly. I can have my kids watch mechanic stuff with me. Great job

[xxocyuii]

Always use a Lil dab of dielectric grease on the bottom of ignition coil boot

[boots]

One reason NOT to lube a sparkplug is that it reduces friction by ~30%. There is an Aussie car guy on YT who used to be a Fastener Mech. Eng. IIRC, and just putting 1 drop of oil on a sparkplug/screw-bolt, turns it from a dry joint to a wet joint.
Torque spec's outside of industry are usually given for a DRY joint, not a wet joint.
So anytime you add oil or anti-sieze to threads and torque to spec, you are probably over-torqueing close to 30%. Might not matter on a wheel stud, however anyone who's broken a sparkplug can see the problem here.
Use anti-sieze in most other applications sure, just make sure to use the smallest amount, not gob it on, and torque it to the very lowest end of spec or 10% below.

[douglasbaker]

Steel body of the spark plug and aluminum heads I was always taught that aluminum and steel don’t play well together. I always use anti seize.

[terryzak]

I have a small piece of vacuum hose, 3/16" x 8" in my toolbox, that I've been using for 30 years to install spark plugs. Slip one end over the terminal nut, and then dangle down into the cylinder head. Rotate with my fingers to start the plug threading. Never fails, and then just pull upwards to release after you've threaded a few rotations.

[samhianblackmoon]

As always excellent advice and execution of the right way to get the job done 👍🏽

[gerardkavanagh]

A well presented video aimed at the common Joe; with a lot of basic important pointers. Thank You.

[marshacowan]

I'm getting ready to change all my sparks because two are slightly wiggling and making clicking sounds, so this video was extremely helpful. Thanks!

[westernapache]

If you use a quality spark plug (like NGK), there is absolutely no need for anti-seize. Quality metal plating keeps the plug from seizing. Proper tightening is also crucial. There is a chance of over torquing the spark plug and stretching the metal shell if anti-seize or any type of lubrication is applied. Metal shell stretching can decrease the heat transfer characteristics and can lead to pre-ignition. Too much anti-seize can also melt and drip down on the firing end insulator and cause fouling/misfire.

[lyianx]

You CAN check the gap on Platinum & Iridium plugs, you just need a Wire gap tool instead of the Coin one.

[dannynica]

I have put a little very light coat of anti seize on the thread. Did not have any issues at all. Believe me, you dont want that plug stuck on the engine. Of course i use a torque wrench to make sure it is not over torqued

[jrm]

Very good explanation of this topic! Thanks!

[GNX]

Also a big risk today is not buying your spark plugs from an authorized reseller. Counterfeit spark plugs are out there, especially for models that are otherwise quite expensive (Iridium). Same with counterfeit Shimano bike chains, for example the CN-HG701 11s chain. I’ve found fakes on Amazon fairly often.

[khalilt]

Subscribed just because of this guy. Love the energy

[WXSTANG]

Agree. Dont use never seize. New plugs are usually coated with zinc or nickle plating to prevent rusting. Adding anti seize may also cause the plugs to back out, which I have seen cause the plug to blast out of the engine destroying the threads. Also, dielectric grease for the top of the plug is an insulator. Modern coils / wires use silicone which do not dry out, vulkanize, or dry rot. Old components would vulkanize to the spark plug, new stuff doesn't.. so don't risk the no spark issue by adding it.

[Aaronsbugs]

I didn't know you shouldn't check or change gap on irradium plugs. Thanks!

[alirazmjou]

Thank you so much for this video متشکرم از شما آقای محترم

[andreshung]

Thank you guy’s!! Nice educational video !

[shinola]

I always take the plugs out of my cars every two or three years just to prevent them from getting frozen in there. And of course inspect them. Also prevents the boot from getting stuck on the plug.