June 29th, 2013, 07:46 AM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Thomas
Location: Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R - Kawi Green Posts: 138
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How to know if spark plugs are tight enough?
How can you tell if the spark plugs are tight enough? I was a bit worried going too tight so I did the 1/2ish turn past finger tight.
If they're too loose will it make a significant/noticeable decrease in power? They're supposed to be 9.5 ft lbs torque... I have a 10-70 ft lbs wrench, is it safe to turn the dial backwards from 10 a bit and tighten until it clicks? It felt like they were getting too tight and I didn't want to break them. How 'over tight' do you really have to go before breaking? They don't turn easily anymore with a short wrench, but again still didn't click the 'slightly below 10' torque wrench... Lastly, can I loosen them out again and retorque after driving about 20 miles (they have the metal coating that acts as anti-seize - will that be ruined pulling them out) or if I really feel they need to be redone just pay the $10 for 2 more? |
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June 29th, 2013, 07:56 AM | #2 |
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Name: Andy
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You're torque wrench is going to be most accurate in the middle of its torque range. I wouldn't trust it set below 10 at all.
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June 29th, 2013, 08:04 AM | #3 |
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Name: Morgan
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Accuracy slightly outside the indicated torque should be reasonably ok, afaik reputable brands test at 25% outside the marked range, if you have one with a calibration cert it should say what it was tested at, and what it actually torqued
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June 29th, 2013, 08:22 AM | #4 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Brad
Location: Sydney
Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r 2010 SE Posts: 573
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You can retorque them as much as you want. Just do them up snug. a 1/4 turn more than hand tight is enough.
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June 29th, 2013, 09:04 AM | #5 |
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Name: .
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they fall out when they're too loose, just snug them and don't worry about it. a little tighter than a drain plug
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June 29th, 2013, 10:06 AM | #6 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Thomas
Location: Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R - Kawi Green Posts: 138
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Quote:
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/pdf/TB-...1antisieze.pdf |
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June 29th, 2013, 10:34 AM | #7 |
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Name: Ryan
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I think you're over thinking things here. I've never used a torque wrench on my spark plugs. Just always used the 1/4 turn past finger tight rule. I've also taken out and put back the same spark plugs many times with no noticeable difference.
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June 29th, 2013, 08:04 PM | #8 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Brad
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Quote:
The ones I have in my bike at the moment have been removed at least 10 times. |
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June 30th, 2013, 07:52 AM | #9 | |
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Name: Hernan
Location: Florida
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Quote:
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Changin...d#Installation In my experience, which goes back to the times before torque wrenches were invented, the big no-no has been torquing the plugs with the aluminum threads of the head being hot. The approach changes for new or used plugs: new ones will use some of the torquing for deforming the seal washer. Aluminum and steel tend to make an electrolytic bond with time: that is the reason for the anti-seizure agent.
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July 1st, 2013, 05:58 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org member
Name: R.
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Hand tight + 1/4 turn for me as well. I went 1/3 turn once and felt that I might have overtorqued it. I used anti-seize too.
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July 3rd, 2013, 11:55 AM | #11 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Thomas
Location: Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R - Kawi Green Posts: 138
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Quote:
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