1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Spark Plug Gap and Torque

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by 94hawk213, Nov 24, 2015.

  1. 94hawk213

    94hawk213 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2011
    33
    3
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I've read on a few of the posts that the spark plugs should be torqued to 13 ft-lb and gapped to 0.043". Where did those numbers come from? Also, what do you recommend for a good 3/8" drive torque wrench for that low of a ft-lb and 1 ft-lb or less increments and for a good magnetic socket? Thank you!
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,461
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The numbers come from the Toyota factory repair manual, and you can confirm that by subscribing to techinfo.toyota.com

    The actual gap spec is 1.0 to 1.1 mm and I adjust the new iridium spark plugs to 1.0 mm. Do not adjust the gap on a used iridium plug.

    My 3/8" torque wrench is a Craftsman model calibrated in in.-lb values. 13 ft.-lb is 156 in.-lb.
     
    94hawk213 likes this.
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,105
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Just to open up the can of worms: any opinions on anti-seize? FWIW, when I took a look at ours I went with HINT of anti-seize, and 13 ft-lb.

    Also, I believe most of these spark plugs, especially high-end iridiums, are pre-gapped. And some manufactures caution to not try to adjust the gap. Bottom line, it's not mandatory to re-gap them.

    I picked up a cheap, made-in-China 3/8" torque wrench with markings down to 5 ft-lb. Did a funky test of it and my other 1/2" drive torque wrench, setting both to around 30 ft-lb and torqueing on a lug nut (on the car, already torqued to higher value) with a digital pull-scale, one foot from center. The gave very similar, and accurate numbers, so I think they're both close.

    You should check what socket size you need too. On 3rd gen it's 9/16" for example, very small.
     
    SFO likes this.
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,461
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    With anti-seize lube, the less used the better. I believe that NGK does not require anti-seize lube to be used on its plugs. I also use just a tiny amount of lube on the spark plug threads.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  5. 94hawk213

    94hawk213 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2011
    33
    3
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Patrick, thank you for the helpful response. And Mendel asked my next question. I didn't see a consensus on the anti-seize, but I think I'll go with just a little bit on the threads.
     
  6. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2009
    5,131
    1,338
    0
    Location:
    Wilmington, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I used a small amount of anti-seize. That was the consensus of the mechanics at work.
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,105
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I put on a slight, uniform amount, then wipe it off with a rag. That way you end up with just a little residual in the grooves of the threads.

    3rd gen Repair Manual says 15 ft-lb with dry threads, so I figure 13 with that slight amount of anti-seize is about right.
     
    Fostel and jdcollins5 like this.
  8. 94hawk213

    94hawk213 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2011
    33
    3
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    After doing some additional reading, I've decided not to apply anti-seize. I'm using NGK IFR5T11 plugs.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  9. edteach

    edteach Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2014
    37
    8
    0
    Location:
    sarasota florida
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Anti Seize every time. I had an aluminum block Nissan truck and never used it. One plug fused to the aluminum and it had to have a helicoil put in. I have used anti seize on every eng. for plugs and have never had an issue. If someone tells you not to use it they don't know what they are talking about. From what I have read, its over tightening. I never have used a torque wrench on spark plugs in all the years I have been installing them, from my cast iron engs of the 70s to my aluminum bike engs of the 80s to my aluminum ones of today. Its like tightening down a new toilet. You snug it up but not hard. Its a feel thing. I guess if someone is not used to doing it they may need a torque wrench.
     
    SteveSco likes this.
  10. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,464
    8,377
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    The indium plugs are good for 150+ thousand miles, changing the plugs once will get you over to 300k miles. You'll never take them out again.

    Ngk and Denso does not recommend using antiseize with their plugs
     
    Mendel Leisk and Fostel like this.
  11. Fostel

    Fostel Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2018
    87
    25
    0
    Location:
    London
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Excel
    That's what I read in Denso manual. Antiseize have a torque multiplying effect when installing plugs.
    If using anti-seize compound, use sparingly and reduce torque by 30%
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  12. sadhu

    sadhu Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2018
    17
    5
    0
    Location:
    New Mexico
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I am replacing my plugs with Denso iridium plugs for my 120,000 mile service and Densos' website says no anti seize! I think using some sparingly, like wiping off the excess and less torque, sounds like the consensus?
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  13. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,461
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    If the Denso website says to not use anti seize, then why use any?
     
    sadhu, Fostel and Mendel Leisk like this.
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,105
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I'm torn, lol.
     
    sadhu and Fostel like this.
  15. rodri9o

    rodri9o Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2018
    56
    22
    0
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I used anti seize the first time I replaced plugs. This second time I didn't use anything. I don't even torque them down...just tighten until the crush washer stops flattening.
     
    sadhu likes this.
  16. Center of Gravity

    Center of Gravity Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2017
    25
    2
    0
    Location:
    New Orleans
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Well gang I'm going to go out on a limb, and be a little embarrassed. As a rocket engine guy I should know better and as a very much custom car builder I should really act better, however both of our Priuses are right now getting their FIRST spark plug changes at 285,000 miles. It sounds nuts but since I was getting 47 miles a gallon average, driving 100 miles a day all these years and my wife doing the same, then why mess with it. LOL LOL, send all the ridicule and jokes.

    Needless to say they're getting their first gas struts and spring tower replacements, valve cover gaskets, PCV valve, and the list goes on evaporator core, expansion valve, new compressor oil ... I tell everyone for the last 14 years you just can't beat these cars. An 06' and 08'

    All I need now is a nice tan carpet kit for one car and possible second rebuilt battery from Houston for one car which I've been replacing cells in every year for the last 2 years. That car's replacement battery was only $1,000 6 years ago so well worth it.

    Doing the math savings on maintenance and gasoline savings over our prior 20 mile per gallon Volvos, both of these cars paid for themselves. So, we drove them for free. Bamb!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    2012 Prius v wagon 3 likes this.
  17. Prius717

    Prius717 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2020
    51
    12
    0
    Location:
    Lancaster County PA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I don't understand why don't all manufactures recommend anti-seize, it makes so much sense using it.
     
  18. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2016
    6,058
    5,783
    0
    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I don't understand why don't all manufactures recommend anti-seize, it makes so much sense using it.

    Most people will only do a couple dozen spark plugs during their entire life. The manufacturers engineer, design and test hundreds of various models of spark plugs. It's probably safe to assume they know what they're talking about.

    But, for some things to think about....

    Many anti-seize compounds are electrically conductive, there's always the chance someone will glob it onto the electrodes

    Will some anti-seize compounds create heat dissipation problems? The heat of a plug is dissipated through the threads and into the head.

    You think you put the anti-seize onto the threads sparingly, but when you install the plug, much of it's pushed out and goops around the top of the threaded area. Next time you change the plugs, where does the old AS go? Does it stay in the plug tube and then get stuck on the electrode of the new plug as it's lowered into the hole?

    And then we think....people can't possibly mess up putting on a little bit of anti-seize...and what can I say? There are people in the world who can break an anvil using a rubber hammer if given the chance.