sparkplugs coming loose

[Phil Rose <pjrose@servtech.com>]

>
>An addendum to my NTB experience, they stated that I should drop by in a
>week or so and have my lug bolts retorqued (or do it myself).  They said
>the alloy wheels tend to affect the torque and need it...
>
>- --
>Huw Powell

Speaking of the need to _retorque_ brings to mind my experience with
sparkplugs a couple of weeks ago. When I bought my '91 200q a year ago, I
soon got to checking the condition of the sparkplugs. I posted about the
fact that some *^!#$^% so-and-so had installed several of the plugs so
loosely that they were removed with little or no effort. So when I
reinstalled the old plugs I made certain they were done to the factory
spec.

Fast-forward about a year, and I've decided it's time to treat my car to a
new set of F5DPOR plugs, thanks to a nice sale price at TPC. So, off come
the wires and...damned if nearly every plug didn't come out every _bit_ as
easily as I had complained of last time. Probably didn't even really need
to use a ratchet handle! Although the insulators looked great, a lot of
gummy gunk was covering the plug threads and gaskets, although these had
been well cleaned up at the last installation (10k miles).

So, what gives? Something special about the aluminum head and narrow dia.
plugs? BTW, the old plugs had been installed on a cold engine and were
removed when cold.


Phil Rose				Rochester, NY
'91 200q				mailto:pjrose@servtech.com
'89 100