[s-cars] Spark Plugs - anti-seize compound

[CyberPoet]

It would seem that I am the starter of great debates this particular
month (well, April, the month just past). H/T, and the ever famous gray
stuff (molybdenum disulfide, with a valid operating range of 0 - 750
degrees F, aka anti-seize paste). You could also be talking about some
of the other anti-seize pastes, such as copper anti-seize paste, or
nickel anti-seize (I wasn't, but I could see that you might be).

I can see the reasons for not using molybdenum disulfide (MBD), if your
plugs already tend to come loose (seemingly true for quite a few of
you) or if you live in a fairly cold weather climate (someplace that
drops below zero degrees F). Actually, now I wonder if there is a
correlation -- are those of you who lose plugs living in severe cold
weather climates?

On the other hand, if you've ever had a plug that is frozen in place by
the PO's lack of attention, or had one that ate up the threads, whether
to use some form of anti-seize paste would suddenly become a moot
question -- the question would suddenly become which anti-seize
formulation you wanted to use.

MBD and copper-based anti-seize pastes work by filling the microscopic
voids, thus in one sense they actually increases the heat transference
between the threads by increasing the actual surface contact area. If
expansion-contraction and vibration are a major issues and/or you live
in a severe cold weather climate (one that drops below 0 degrees F),
use a copper-based anti-seize paste (with a valid operating range of
-65 thru +815 degrees F) instead of an MDB compound, if you use any
anti-seize compound at all.

For more information on common anti-seize paste compounds, including
specific weight, intended purposes, benefits and downsides, and why MBD
actually is beneficial to your engine in case of oil loss (and why the
factory uses it at assembly), see:
http://www.jetlubecanada.com/AS.html   (note: links are PDF files with
technical data)

One word of caution: MDB and copper-based anti-seize compounds decrease
the torque required to obtain any given 'fixed' position for a plug,
and using the stock torque may permit you to damage the threads if you
don't take the use of an anti-seize compound into account. In part,
this why the wisdom of "screw in until it just seats then add 1/4 of a
turn" has become popular among shadetree mechanics -- it is torque
independent advice and applies as readily with or without anti-seize
paste.

Best Wishes,
=-= Marc Glasgow
The seeming odd-ball who has yet to have a plug pop or vibrate out...

On Friday, May 2, 2003, at 01:24 AM, Daniel Hussey wrote:

> I'm interested in whether this is true.  I always put a little on the
> threads on all my cars when putting in new plugs.  I use the Griot's
> anti-sieze paste.  Not sure what it is, but seems like good stuff.
>
> Later,
> Dan
> '95 S6 Avant (Europa/ecru)
> '87 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 (aka "ski bitch")
> Seattle, WA
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kirby Smith" <kirby.a.smith at verizon.net>
> To: "CyberPoet" <thecyberpoet at cyberpoet.net>
> Cc: <quattro20v at telus.net>; <s-car-list at audifans.com>
> Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2003 8:00 PM
> Subject: Re: [s-cars] Spark Plugs - anti-seize compound
>
>
>> Well, I'll take exception to "any."  My Corvair manual specifically
>> warns against anti-seize on the spark plugs on the grounds it would
>> change the effective heat range.  Now, when that manual was written,
>> the
>> only such material was Permatex Aviation Antiseize, a rather thick
>> material; NeverSeize was not yet available.  Thus, I would not try to
>> extend that advice to our cars.
>>
>> kirby
>>
>>
>> CyberPoet wrote:
>>>
>>> It's a good idea in any vehicle to use the anti-seize compound on the
>>> spark plugs and the wheel bolts, because both can become stuck over
>>> time due to heat and dissimilar metals. Just go easy and watch those
>>> torque specifications everyone is talking about :)
>>>
>>> Cheers!
>>> =-= Marc Glasgow
>>> Tampa Bay's Leading Mac Consultant since 1990
>>>
>>> Sean asked:
>>> I'm going to be changing my spark plugs soon. Is it a good idea to
>>> put
>>> anti-seize compound on the threads or is this a no-no?
>>>
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