Spark Plug Issue
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 361
Likes: 253
From: Carrollton, VA
Spark Plug Issue
I finally got around to replacing the plugs and wires on my 03 after three months of ownership. Found the driver's side rear plug only hand tight with blowby around the plug and boot. I never noticed any performance issues but it did have a slight miss. Test drive afterwards and it's like OMG! New car/engine. Damn thing woke right up runs perfectly. Anyone else experience that plug working loose? I believe this may have been the first plug change ever at 72,000 miles.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,302
Likes: 1,583
From: Western NY
With an engine that is all aluminum, you have to be careful when installing threaded components, such as spark plugs. Overtightening them can strip the threads, which causes big headaches. That's why using a torque wrench is important. Possibly, in your cars past, somebody did change the plugs, and due to that particular plug's somewhat awkward location, just didn't get it tight.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 760
Likes: 242
From: All Over The Place
With an engine that is all aluminum, you have to be careful when installing threaded components, such as spark plugs. Overtightening them can strip the threads, which causes big headaches. That's why using a torque wrench is important. Possibly, in your cars past, somebody did change the plugs, and due to that particular plug's somewhat awkward location, just didn't get it tight.
When I did plugs and wires, the car idled so much smoother. I could not believe it.
