Technical Changing spark plugs - torque wrench needed?

[fivegoldstars]

Just looking at changing the spark plugs on my MK1 1.1 for the first time.
I've bought a set of Bosch from Halfords via the compatability guide so fingers crossed they're the right ones.
I'm armed with the Haynes manual, but just wondering about the torque side of things. My toolbox doesn't stretch to a torque wrench just yet - can this job be done by just finger tightening and a bit of spanner-work, or is this lack of precision likely to be just as bad as having the dirty old plugs in?

 

[Trist]

i guess as long as they're fairly tight it shouldn't matter, i fit new plugs in my mk1 1.1 yesterday, i ended up chucking money at 2 torque wrenches yesterday , mind you that was after i found out b&q sell them for 25 quid each, and all i had was a massive torque wrench that only went down to 50nm,

you'd only need the 3/8 inch one, so it might be worth popping down to a b&q if there's one near to you, least it gives you peace of mind you've down the job properly

 

[Eklipze3k]

If I remember right, a good trick is to get them finger tight, and then give it a 1/4 turn (90 degrees) with your socket. As long as you do them all the same there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[DaveMcT]

Torque wrenches give a false sense of security and often threads get stripped because the user cant feel what's going on.

Use a suitable rubber hose to thread the plug into its hole, so you dont get it cross threaded. Then use a normal socket & handle to tighten it. You will feel the gasket washer compress then give a little more. Do not leave it loose but never over-tighten which is all too easy with a torque wrench.

 

[fivegoldstars]

Cheers. Saving them til Saturday now, but hoping to do a bit of a mini-service - oil-filter, sparks, transmission oil and coolant.
Probably do all that and then the floor will drop out...

 

[Trist]

haha that's how i think aswell, i imagine myself undoing a really unimportant looking screw and the car splitting in half

 

[DaveMcT]

A haynes manual wont tell you everything but its good for this sort of stuff. Also use google - there is much helpful info out there.

Search www.abebooks.co.uk and you find stuff like like this

 

[MadMan0]

I've changed the spark plugs twice since owning my car 1.1L mk1, I just do them up tight, hand tight with ratchet.

No torque wrench, same on our other cars.

 

[SamuraiDragon]

whitesei is on the money with fitting them, use a short piece of ordinary garden hose to fit on top of the plug and thread it in by hand that way b4 tightening it. the hose will slip before it threads ect and then just tighten it up after.