Spark Plug Thread Repair Dos and Don'ts

Spark Plug Thread Repair Dos and Don’ts

August 23, 2021

Your spark plugs are some of the most important components in your car. Without them, your car wouldn’t even be able to start. For this reason, ensuring you have properly functioning spark plugs is paramount.

Although they are small parts, spark plugs are composed of a few different pieces. One end of most spark plugs contains threads, like a screw—and as with screws, sometimes these threads can become worn down or stripped, requiring spark plug thread repair. Spark plugs conduct electricity, so they can be quite dangerous. Therefore, knowing some dos and don’ts of spark plug thread repair can be helpful.

Don’ts

We’ll start with the things you shouldn’t do when trying to repair your spark plug threads:

  • Don’t make this your first do-it-yourself automotive project: If you’re familiar with cars, engines and their inner mechanisms, then this is a project you could realistically tackle. But if you’ve never worked on a car before, in any capacity, this might not be the place to start. If you’d like to know more about cars, start with a smaller and simpler project that’s more applicable than spark plug replacement.
  • Don’t start working without reading the manual of both your vehicle and the thread repair kit: If you’ve decided you’re up for the challenge of spark plug thread repair, be sure to consult your vehicle’s manual before performing any work. If you buy a thread repair kit like Time-Sert or Heli-Coil, read those instructions first as well.
  • Don’t let debris get into your engine if you can help it: This can be avoided by closing the valves as you’re working on the spark plug threads. Even still, you should be very careful about metal shards and chips, as you don’t want them getting sucked into your engine. This goes double for any tools you’re using.
  • Don’t use an anti-seize compound on your spark plug threads: Doing this can lead to problems like misfires, or over-tightening of your spark plugs. It will also affect the torque specs unnaturally because the spark plug will turn easier.

Dos

Now that you know what not to do when performing spark plug thread repair, here’s what you should do:

  • Do conduct research before you begin: If you feel comfortable beginning this project, and you’ve read all the respective manuals, you can learn more before you start to work. There are YouTube videos showing how to repair spark plug threads, numerous automotive forums where people discuss similar issues you may be facing and plenty of sites that have reviews posted for various spark plug thread repair kits.
  • Do make sure you have all the necessary tools: This should be part of your research, and if you’ve worked on cars before, hopefully you’ll have most of what you’ll need. This means general mechanical tools like an air blower, air ratchet, air compressor, a good light and some Brakleen.
  • Do call an expert if you have any doubts: Whether you’re planning to complete the project yourself or want to take your car to a mechanic, speaking with a professional would be a wise move.

Call for spark plug thread repair today

If after reading some dos and don’ts of spark plug thread repair you decide you’d rather have a mechanic do the job, give us a call at Auto Truck Service Inc. We have the skills, knowledge and experience to fix any automotive problem you may have, and we’d be happy to help you today.

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