What size spark plug socket to buy

The one that fits the plugs you'll buy? (There are only two sizes, help the economy and buy both.

Of course.

Gary, I believe he is asking what size wrench the plugs require. There are many more than two sizes of plug wrenches so your answer doesn't really help him. I don't know the answer and I suspect that you don't either.

BTW, I can't find the 'Of course' setting on my torque wrench. Is that on the metric or english scale? GEEZES

To the OP, check with the parts store where you buy your plugs. They should be able to tell you what size wrench to use with those plugs and what is the proper torque.

Jackj

I suspect Gary was expressing some understandable impatience with the OP's lack of resourcefulness. But in fairness to the OP, he may be a youngster working on his first car, and doesn't realize:

1) There aren't that many sizes for spark plug sockets

2) The parts store sells sockets as well as parts

3) The probability of finding the torque info is higher for him, while standing in the parts store, than for any of us sitting at home, unless one of us owns the same car or is willing to go poking around web on his behalf.

If the OP reaches the age of 22 and is still asking questions like this, then it's fair to kick him around.

5/8" will cover both.

13 ft.lbs.

If 13 ft.lbs is at or near the bottom range of your torque wrench, you need a different torque wrench.

That would be wrong.

Actually, they are fine thread...

Remindes me of the first time I changed plugs in a Toyota. I thought it would be metric size so asked the man at Auto Zone what size wrench. He did not know so we took the plug and matched it to a metric wrench but it seemed loose. Then tried the American size wrenches and found a good fit on one of the American sockets. I had several like that at home from the socket sets I have bought over the years.

Why would he be inpatient with someone asking questions on a newsgroup? I don't disagree that the questions asked were a waste of time but so was Gary's answer.

If you can't answer someone's question, why post a smart-assed answer? Or why post a response that says "I don't know"?

Jack j

I don't know.

:-)

The answer to the last question to which I responded. It's right there for you to read.

What is it, you don't know?

That's a pretty apt description of the staffing at Autozone. 8-(

5/8" and 13/16' are the two most common spark plug hex sizes, a quick glance should have been all the Autozoo droid needed.

Spark plugs are a bit of an anomaly; the thread diameter and pitch are metric, the hex sizes are SAE.

My preferred spark plug for the Camry would be the NGK Iridium-IX, BKR6EIX-11 (or for a couple bucks more the Laser-Iridium with a platinum ground pad). If you want cheaper plugs, go with G-Power BKR6EGP but I wouldn't go cheaper than that. (For the 7A-FE 1.8L Corolla engine, consider BKR5EIX or BKR5EGP). Check

for prices and shipping cost.

The fact that the second letter is K (for both plugs) means that it uses a 5/8" construction and you will need a 5/8" spark plug socket, such as:

$3.99 5/8" socket, 3/8" drive (this is what I use):

or you can get a $9.99 set of 4 sizes:

Read the spark plug code chart at:

B =3D 14 mm threaded diameter*** K =3D 5/8" construction R =3D resistor 6 =3D heat range E =3D 1.5mm center electrode insulator IX =3D Iridium IX -11 =3D pre-gapped at the factory to 1.1mm (absolutely no re-gapping an Iridium)

You need to follow torque specification in the REPAIR MANUAL, not necessarily the generic instruction on the NGK site, which says 18-21 lb/ft. Why? Because these are dry values. The manuals tells you to dab

*a little* spark plug anti-seize (2-3 threads AWAY from the tip end) and torque to 13 lb/ft. Since anti-seize lowers torque required, so 13 lb/ft is what you use, not 18. Otherwise you over torque and may strip the threads in the cylinder head (read: $$$$$).

Generic spark plug installation instruction:

Spark plug antiseize, about $1.25 for each one-use pouch. (A tube is cheaper.)

hehehehehe

The $14.99 HF torque wrench, 3/8" drive has served me well and carries a lifetime warranty (not calibration accuracy however). I also have the 90-day calibration warranty Craftsman that's good in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions but have to use it gingerly because of the cheap plastic lock-ring/handle that can break easily (just google). Craftsman is probably the cheapest version of the Danaher-made torque wrench period (better ones with metal lock-rings are Lowe's Kobalt, Gear Wrench, KD, Matco).

.. and they say you and I don't agree on anything :)

13 ft-lbs is not all that tight. I always do it by feel since most torque wrenches don't go that low. For a new plug (the type with gaskets) tighten it until you feel that the gasket has compressed all the way then just a hair more. That puts you at about 10 ft-lbs. Also, use a 3/8" ratchet and tighten firmly. As long as you don't put your body into it (or are a line backer type) that puts you in the right torque range.

I don't have a problem with Autozoo in general, but I'm sure their average employee doesn't know the significance of 14mm X 1.25.

Nah, they're just mislabelled 16mm and 21mm metrics.

And the new Ford Power Seize plugs have a 'loose fitting' 15mm outer hex :-)

Toyota MDT in MO

P.S. look for the new 14mm hex BMW plugs too, although it is rumored they will be referred to as 'loose fitting 9/16"'.