Changing Spark Plugs on a 308 GTSi QV

Workshop manual says 2 Kgm / 20Nm / 14.5 lb ft - so really not very tight!

I always just use the plug socket/small extension to start it by hand & just locate the tip of the plug in the hole & then always, always wind it anticlockwise slowly until you hear it click & then you know you've found the start of the thread, at which point you can start to screw it in. I also always make as many turns in by hand as possible & then you know you havn't crossed anything up.

Never, ever force it, a crossed up sparkplug hole on the front bank doesn't bear thinking about!

I.

 

People keep making this job far more difficult than it is, or needs to be. I have never needed, nor have I ever used any u-joints or extra extensions, they arent needed on these cars. With the car down on the floor, open the deck lid and look down over the top of it at the front. You work over the top of the lid, reaching down to the front bank. As was pointed out above, a spark plug socket with a short extension will stick out far enough to get a ratchet on. Those short handled ratchets are a God send by the way, I always toast the guy who sawed one off short a toast when im using mine.

I agree of your Ferrari mechanic, take your buisness elsewhere, or learn to do it yourself. Dad showed me how to it when I was bout 8 years old, its really not difficult. And except when I was first playing around with aluminum engines, I have never used a torque wrench on them. Besides, I dont think you could get one down in there and use it very easily. Just learn the feel for it.

 

To insert the plug it helps to use the extension tip, pull off the extension from the plug wire, snap it on the new plug, now you can hold it, slip it in the hole to the center and turn it, this way it will not start to cross thread, once started , you just pull off the extension and tighten with your ratchet ,some people use a really small vacume hose on the end of the plug to do the same, but the plug extension works better I think.Once the plug is in, usally a quarter turn more and its tight,it does not need to be Gorilla tight, just compress the spark plug washer.

 

GREAT SUGGESTION. I have not tried yet in my QV, got way too busy this past weekend. I think I should have some free "me" time this weekend to get it done.

THANKS! I thought about 1/4 turn would do, and I didnt want to get a torque wrench in there. I know I tend to overtighten for fear of leaking, but I end up regretting it so that helps.

James in Denver