4

Precautions to observe when installing the spark plugs

Recommended torque and angle of rotation
It is necessary to install the plugs in the engine using the correct torque. Note that if the torque is too low, the plugs
are liable to work loose due to leakage of combustion gas or vibration, resulting in possible damage to the engine
and the plugs. Conversely, if the torque is too high, the crimping between the insulator and the housing is liable to
become loose, causing the integrity of the seal to be impaired or the mounting screw thread to break.

Use the correct wrench that
matches the hex part of the plug.
Take care not to damage the
insulator.
When carrying out this work, take
steps to ensure that oil, dust and
foreign objects in the vicinity of the
cylinder head do not enter the
engine.
Before installing the plug, clean the
mounting seat on the engine side,
check that there is a gasket, and
then insert the plug into the
mounting seat.

When carrying out this work, hold Next, using a plug wrench, tighten
the plug vertically, the plug to the recommended torque
and then lightly or the recommended angle indicated
tighten it by hand in the table below.
or by using a plug
wrench.

If you tighten the plug to a greater rotation angle or torque than that indicated in the table below, the engine
may become damaged or the screw thread of the plug may break, so be careful.

If you apply grease or another screw thread lubricant to the threaded part of the plug, you are liable to
tighten the plug to an excessive degree, impairing the integrity of the seal, even if you apply no more than
the recommended torque. For this reason, do not coat the plug with screw thread lubricant.

If you apply the plug wrench obliquely, an unreasonable force may be applied to the insulator, causing it to
crack, as indicated in the figure below. For this reason, be careful not to hold the wrench obliquely.

Recommended Recommended Tightening Angle

Thread Size Applicable Models
Torque New Plug Previously Used
M8 All Types 8 -10N r m About 1/3 turn About 1/12 turn
M10 Types other than the ones shown below 10-15N r m About 1/3 turn About 1/12 turn
M10 UFE, IUH, VUH, VNH Types 10-15N r m About 2/3 turn About 1/12 turn
M10 Stainless Gasket Type (*1) 10-15N r m About 3/4 turn About 1/12 turn
M12 All Types 15-20N r m About 1/3 turn About 1/12 turn
M14 Types other than the ones shown below 20-30N r m About 1/2 turn About 1/12 turn
M14 Stainless Gasket Type (*2) 20-30N r m About 2/3 turn About 1/12 turn
M18 All Types 30-40N r m About 1/4 turn About 1/12 turn
M14
Taper seat All Ty 10-20N r m About 1/16 turn About 1/16 turn
M14
(Gas) If the cylinder head material is cast iron 20N r m - -
M14
(Gas) If the cylinder head material is aluminum N rm - -
M18
(Gas) If the cylinder head material is cast iron 30N r m - -

(*1) VUH27ES，U24FER9S
(*2) IK16G，IK20G，IK22G，K20PR-U8S，K20PR-U9S，KJ20DR-M11S，PK22PR-L11S，SK20PR-N9S，SK22PR-M11S，
SKJ20DR-M11S，VK16G，VK20G，VK22G

Cracking of the insulator ○ ×

Normal condition Stuck condition
The plugs of recent engines are installed in deep plug
holes, so it may be difficult to notice whether or not you Terminal
are holding the wrench obliquely when installing or Magnet：
removing the plugs. However, if you turn the wrench in Preventing the
spark plug from
this condition, the head of the insulator may stick , dropping out

causing an unreasonable force to be applied to it. As a

result, the insulator is liable to crack.
*However, the mode of occurrence differs according to the construction
and dimensions of the plug holes in the engine, and also the type of Engine Engine
wrench used.