Spark Plug: Service and Repair

Spark Plugs





Material

Removal

1. Disconnect the ignition coil electrical connector.

2. NOTE: When removing the ignition coils, a slight twisting motion will break the seal and ease removal.

Remove the bolt and the ignition coil.

3. NOTICE: Do not remove the spark plugs when the engine is hot or cold soaked. Spark plug thread or cylinder head damage can occur. Make sure the engine is warm (hand touch after cooling down) prior to spark plug removal.

NOTICE: Only use hand tools when removing or installing the spark plugs or damage can occur to the cylinder head or spark plug.

NOTE: Use compressed air to remove any foreign material from the spark plug well before removing the spark plugs.

Remove the spark plug in the following sequence.
(1). Loosen the spark plug no more than one-eighth to one-fourth of a turn.

(2). NOTICE: Excessive use of carburetor tune-up cleaner can introduce enough liquid volume to hydro-lock the engine.

Using carburetor tune-up cleaner, fill the spark plug well until fluid has reached the spark plug jamb nut. Follow the directions on the packaging.

(3). NOTICE: Do not loosen or tighten the spark plug for a minimum of 15 minutes or damage to the cylinder head or spark plug may occur.

Let the carburetor tune-up cleaner soak for a minimum of 15 minutes.

(4). NOTE: Some screeching and high effort may be noticed and is normal.

NOTE: The expected removal torque is around 45 Nm (33 lb-ft).

Tighten, and then loosen the spark plug, repeating until turning effort is reduced, and remove the spark plug.

4. Inspect the spark plug. Install a new spark plug as necessary.

Installation

1. NOTICE: The spark plug gap is NOT adjustable. Damage can occur to the ceramic if the spark plug gap is adjusted. Install a new spark plug if the gap is out of specification.

NOTE: Refer to the specifications in this section for correct spark plug identification.

NOTE: Do not apply high temperature nickel anti-seize lubricant to the spark plug ground strap area.

Apply high temperature nickel anti-seize lubricant to only the spark plug ground electrode shield as shown.






2. NOTICE: Only use hand tools when removing or installing the spark plugs or damage can occur to the cylinder head or spark plug.

Install the spark plug.
^ To install, tighten to 34 Nm (25 lb-ft).

3. NOTE: Verify that the ignition coil spring is correctly located inside the ignition coil-on-plug boot and that there is no damage to the tip of the boot.

Install the ignition coil and the bolt.
^ Apply a light coat of dielectric compound to the inside of the ignition coil boots.
^ To install, tighten to 6 Nm (53 lb-in).

4. Connect the ignition coil electrical connector.