No anti seize on spark plug threads?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Corpus Christi TX
St. Jude Donor '05
No anti seize on spark plug threads?
Is it advisable to use anti-seize compound on the threads of my new spark plugs? I read elsewhere that GM warns against using anti-seize on the threads. It stated that GM says to simply coat the threads of the new plug with synthetic oil. Any wisdom on this?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
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From: Belleville Mich.
Use anti sieze on the threads.
Squeeze out of the tube/can & apply to the end of a pipe cleaner.
Just get enough to coat the threads & dont get messy & get any on the firing ends.
Good luck.
Squeeze out of the tube/can & apply to the end of a pipe cleaner.
Just get enough to coat the threads & dont get messy & get any on the firing ends.
Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
Only remove / install the plugs when the engine is stone cold otherwise you might sieze up one of the plugs or strip threads. Absolutely put a light coat of anti-sieze on the thread before installing new plug. You are working with dissimilar metals and there is a high possibility of galling, etc.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
The anti seize may effect the torque spec, which is possibly why GM doesn't suggest it. It doesn't take much, use sparingly.
I've seen the threads pulled right out of the heads where the plugs have literally welded themselves to the aluminum.
I've seen the threads pulled right out of the heads where the plugs have literally welded themselves to the aluminum.
Le Mans Master
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Don't want to highjack a thread, but you just said some powerful stuff there. I have 15K miles on my '04, original plugs, should I change them?
Safety Car
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From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
Don't waste your money on new plugs - they should go more than 50k miles without a problem or drop in performance. Many folks run them all the way to the GM recommended max mileage. I would remove them and apply some anti sieze to the threads. I have had several instances where plugs were run for a lot of miles and were frozen in the aluminum heads, requiring stripping of the threads for removal and helicoils to repair. A little time and preventative maintenance will go a long way towards solving future problems.
Le Mans Master
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Don't waste your money on new plugs - they should go more than 50k miles without a problem or drop in performance. Many folks run them all the way to the GM recommended max mileage. I would remove them and apply some anti sieze to the threads. I have had several instances where plugs were run for a lot of miles and were frozen in the aluminum heads, requiring stripping of the threads for removal and helicoils to repair. A little time and preventative maintenance will go a long way towards solving future problems.
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Race Director
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
I agree...but if you're going to go to the efforts of just removing your plugs to apply a dab of anti-seize, it wouldn't be a stretch to have some new plugs/wires handy.
It's been my experience that a simple job like this is when poop happens. A plug porcelain breaks or a spark plug wire is damaged.
If you decide not to R&R the plugs, at least spray some non-chlorinated brake cleaner around each spark plug to remove built up contaminants. You should do that prior to any spark plug R&R anyway.
It's been my experience that a simple job like this is when poop happens. A plug porcelain breaks or a spark plug wire is damaged.
If you decide not to R&R the plugs, at least spray some non-chlorinated brake cleaner around each spark plug to remove built up contaminants. You should do that prior to any spark plug R&R anyway.
Burning Brakes
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Spark plugs
Don't waste your money on new plugs - they should go more than 50k miles without a problem or drop in performance. Many folks run them all the way to the GM recommended max mileage. I would remove them and apply some anti sieze to the threads. I have had several instances where plugs were run for a lot of miles and were frozen in the aluminum heads, requiring stripping of the threads for removal and helicoils to repair. A little time and preventative maintenance will go a long way towards solving future problems.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
Some plugs have anti seize on the threads new and the manufacture does not recommend adding additional anti seize to the threads unless you remove them and reinstall.
I still add just a dab of anti seize anyway.
I still add just a dab of anti seize anyway.
Race Director
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From: San Diego CA
Yes, but......
By the way, similar metals are far more likely to seize than dissimilar metals. And yes, you should reduce the torque used when tightening plugs that have antisieze on them. Exactly how much is a tough one to answer, however.
Last edited by Dave68; Jun 14, 2011 at 10:22 AM.
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Yes, do put anti-seize on the threads. Will make it much easier to remove the plugs the next time you need to do that.
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '13
Well when you remove the plugs you'll see why you need the never seize. They're gonna creak and groan and scare the crap out of you. Have new wires on hand because they tend to get destroyed when you remove them. Also check for the platinum puck on the electrode, lots of time you'll find the puck missing. You'll need an assortment of extensions and swivels to get to a couple of them.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Columbia South Carolina
Also I only put syn oil on the threads, no problems.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Eureka California
I use anti-sieze very lightly on the plug threads and a little dab of dialectic grease inside the plug boots before snapping them in place. If you're changing the plugs for the first time, deffinitely change the wires. Pulling them off is going to damage them one way or another, almost a sure thing. The outer covering stretches but the core does not, it breaks.....
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Toronto
I brought my 2000 Vette with 15k on it 12/09 I now have 20k, I decided that the car was ten years old and decided to change plugs and put the red wires on. Thought that I might be wasting time changing the plugs, but on removing the plugs I found about four that had excessive gaps on them that was visible without a gauge. Now the car runs better. So I would say go ahead change the plugs, get a piece of mind.
Also I only put syn oil on the threads, no problems.
Also I only put syn oil on the threads, no problems.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Plymouth Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '11-'12
When I had the my old T/A there was a thread similar to this as to why NOT to use anti sieze. I dont remember why, but it convinced me not to, and to just use some oil
