Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Spark Plug Inspection
- Inspect the electrodes and ceramic insulator.
- Burned or worn electrodes may be caused by:
- Advanced ignition timing
- Loose spark plug
- Plug heat range too hot
- Insufficient cooling
- Fouled plug may be caused by:
- Retarded ignition timing
- Oil in combustion chamber
- Incorrect spark plug gap
- Plug heat range too cold
- Excessive idling/low speed running
- Clogged air cleaner element
- Deteriorated ignition coils
- Burned or worn electrodes may be caused by:
- If the spark plug electrode is dirty or contaminated, clean the electrode with a plug cleaner.NOTE:
- Do not use a wire brush or scrape the iridium electrode since this will damage the electrode.
- Use a chemical cleaner such as Carb Spray to clean contamination on the electrode.
- When using a sand blaster spark plug cleaner, do not clean for more than 20 seconds to avoid damaging the electrode.
- Do not adjust the gap of iridium tip plugs (A); replace the spark plug if the gap is out of specification.
- Replace the plug at the specified interval, or if the center electrode is rounded (A). Use only the spark plugs listed.
- Apply a small amount of anti-seize compound to the plug threads, and screw the plugs into the cylinder head, finger-tight. Then torque them.
Specified Torque
IFR7G11KS (NGK), SK22PR-M11S (DENSO):
25 N.m (2.5 kgf.m, 18 lbf.ft)
Except IFR7G11KS (NGK), SK22PR-M11S (DENSO):
18 N.m (1.8 kgf.m, 13 lbf.ft)
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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