I own a car that has iridium tipped plugs. They are said to last up to 60K miles. When the time comes to change them after six years, any danger they will be seized in the aluminum head?
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Of course there is a -chance- they will be seized. I would recommend at about every 20 K miles to twist them loose and retighten to specs ( on my car it is 11 lb-ft ).
Could easily happen. I usually spray the plug to head area with a decent penetrating oil, and gently try to loosen, alternating with tightening, and more spray.
I haven't ruined one yet but, being well aware of the properties of aluminum, I know that this is a real possibility.
Just because they are supposed to last 60K miles does not mean you have to leave them in there that long. The plug manufacturer is only warranting the plug, not your engine.
It's my understanding that Denso irdium-tipped long-life plugs have cadmium-plated threads. This in order to prevent such seizure. This explains some of their high cost.
OK, so does the OP have Denso iridium-tipped long-life plugs? Probably -not-. In which case, I recommend loosening and retorquing them every 20 K miles. This is to be done on a STONE COLD ENGINE...meaning, it is at ambient air temperature, whatever that may happen to be.
Lg
There's little chance of a seizure if you'd put some anti seize.
This is true, but on a new car most people don't think to pull the spark plugs, apply anti-seize and reinstall. Thus this topic comes up every now and again.
nate
The car in question is a 03 Toyota Corolla. I trust the factory used anti-seize...?
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Why are you making that assumption? 1 million cars x 1 tube of antseize = 1 million tubes of antiseize.
I think you should take my advice and let the engine cool down to air temperature. TWIST the spark plug boots on the plugs and pull them off one at a time with a spark plug boot removal tool. Loosen the plugs 1/4 turn with a 5/8" socket or whatever size *fits.* Be sure to use a spark plug socket with the rubber insert.
Use compressed air to blow out the spark plug wells. THEN, fininsh taking the plugs out one at a time, put a small bit of antiseize on the threads, and re-install to proper torque.
There may be a surprise waiting for you...MAYBE there is already antiseize on the threads from the factory, but I wouldn't bet on it. If you put some on yourself, then you know. Right now, neither of us know.
Lg
They are said to last about 120k miles, actually. You may be thinking of platinum plugs, but your Corolla does infact have iridium plugs.
No, just dry, well-plated Nippondenso plugs. You should not have a problem at 120k miles, but to be safe, you could remove them and retorque them at 60k since it is so easy to do. Remove the two nuts from the plastic engine cover, then pull off the cover and the two plastic retainers in one move. The retainers almost always break, you can't avoid it. They go into threaded holes, so you can replace them with short 6mm X 1mm bolts upon reinstallation. Unplug the four coilpack connectors. Remove the four coilpack bolts, remove the bolts holding down the injector harnass wiring and move the wiring to the side slightly, then pull out the four coilpacks. Remove the plugs (5/8 spark plug socket with extension), add a small coat of antiseize to the threads if you wish, then hand install the plugs and torque to 18 ft/lbs.
Toyota MDT in MO
Thank you, and the rest of the guys, for good advice :-)
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