Do you need a special tool to removed standard 14mm spark plugs? Or would a normal socket do it? Please explain I am new to this. I gather the majority of cars use 14mm plugs and not 10 or 12 mm. Which cars use 10 or 12?
I'd have thought you'd do well to obtain and look at a haynes manual for your car as a start.
The message from Bill contains these words:
Yes - a normal socket isn't deep enough. Most socket sets come with a special socket for plugs - they usually have a rubber insert to grip the ceramic bit which makes things a little easier.
If you haven't got one - go get one.
I believe my plugs are 14mm, On the
14mm sparkplugs need a 21mm AF socket, which if it's deep with a rubber insert is referred to as a 13mm sparkplug socket.
I am confused. What is an AF socket? Don't you mean a 21mm AF socket is referred to as a 14mm sparkplug socket? As I only saw 10,12 and 14 for sale. Why don't the spark plug makers put the size on the box, would make things easier.
The 10mm spark plug wrench seems to match the gap of 14/15mm spanner.Where's the 10mm socket looks tiny compared to it.
Spark plug size refers to the thread diameter. This is not the same as the size across the flats of the hexagon on the spark plug. A 14mm plug spanner will be the same as a 21mm socket if memory serves me.
Go to the store and find the plugs needed for your car. Then find a spanner that fits those plugs.
What is your car?
I have two sizes of plug socket - a big 'un and a small 'un. The big 'un is used more often. If you go to Halfords, as suggested below (or above if you're that way inclined), and find your plugs it'll be quite obvious which socket you need when you wander over to the tool section. Try to worry less :)
Si
AF means Across Flats (at least that's what I've always taken it to mean) which, obviously, is the distance across the opposing flat faces on a nut or blot. The 14mm will probably refer to the thread diameter. A rule of thumb is that the nut AF is 1.5 times the thread diameter.
Malc ( snipped-for-privacy@lightindigooverthere.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :
No.
An M5 bolt has a 5mm thread and usually requires an 8mm spanner. An M7 bolt has a 7mm thread and usually requires an 11mm spanner.
The message from Adrian contains these words:
Actually - yes. Many sparkplugs have a 14mm thread.
Which gives you 5x1.5=7,5 ~8mm etc.
I think it does.
I sit corrected.
No, as a rule of thumb you were/are correct.
JohnR ( snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :
Ummm, his original statement was that the nominal size of the spanner referred to the thread diameter. For metric fasteners, that's not right.
IIRC, 14mm are usually M10.
Guy King ( snipped-for-privacy@zetnet.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :
True - but the OP's confusion was between 14mm thread and 21mm spanner.
I thought I read somewhere somebody saying that Metric sizes usually... Oh, fuckit. I give in. My brain's not working this morning. The cat's convinced there's a mouse in the cupboard behind the bed, and spent the night trying to find the damn thing. I Didn't Get Much Sleep.
The message from Adrian contains these words:
M5 - 8mm head M6 - 10mm head M8 - 13mm head M10 - 17mm head M12 - 19mm head
That's for standard engineering bolts. Car manufacturers have their own ideas and play fast and loose with the conventions.
On a point of pedantry no I didn't. I said AF was across the flats and
14mm referred to the thread size. I then went on to make an erroneous statement about a correlation between thread sizes and spanner sizes.Adrian ( snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :
May I refer the honourable gentleman to my earlier admission of incompetence :-
Message-ID:
Snag is you where essentially right :-) The 14mm is the thread size & the
21mm is across the flatsMotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.