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Changed spark plugs!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by NavyLCDR, Jan 19, 2017.

  1. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah I had some old ones, but picked up a new set with the advent of the 9/16" Prius size. Caught me napping when I replaced a sparkplug (and torqued it) on our daughter's Pilot, then pop, just the extension came out of the tube. Doh!
     
  2. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Maaaaannn, I HATE when that happens!
     
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  3. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    You should test the spark plug socket and extension by simply placing the plug in the socket. Make sure there's clearance for the socket to reach the nut on the spark plug. Then pull the spark plug to remove it, making sure it's the plug that comes out and not the socket or extension. If the socket or extension separate first, the rubber socket insert is too tight. First try sliding it further inside the socket, and if that doesn't work, remove it with needle nose pliers and remove about half an inch of the rubber with a utility knife.
     
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Alternately: wrap some tape around the junction of extension and socket.
     
  5. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    But if you just make the socket work as it's supposed to, it'll be that way forever and you won't mess around with tape or magnets and whatever. Although, I never tried a magnetic socket. One person here says they work, another says they don't. I have a solution so I'll never know.
     
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  6. lunacyworks

    lunacyworks Member

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    14mm is not correct socket, 14mm is the thread size! 5/8 is typically the socket size for the Bosch, some are 9/16, check the spark plug specs for correct socket size.
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I can't keep up with you lol. Not sure of thread size, I'd suspect less than 14 mm. Again. for the stock Denso plug the socket is 14 mm or 9/16".
     
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  8. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    It could be the gen 2 spark plug specs she/he has on his her gen 2.
     
    #28 Grit, Nov 16, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2019
  9. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    Yes, gen 2 spark plug socket size are 5/8”, the gen 3 socket size are 9/16”.
     
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  10. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    That’s why people with gen 2 prius should stick to gen 2 forum when it comes to providing specific specs. Guess separation of sub forums are suggestions now.
     
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  11. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    For which generation prius you were working on?
     
  12. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    Are you guys sure the spark plug socket size is 9/16"?
    It is 14mm as far as I know and 9/16 will do the job because 9/16 is approx. 14.2mm (slightly bigger than the original 14mm).
    I have a 14mm socket and it fits OEM (Denso) plugs perfectly. If the actual socket size of the plug were to be 9/16" then the 14mm would have NOT worked. But it did.
     
  13. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I think his info is correct for his car, which is gen 3. Since yours apparently is a gen 2 with a totally different engine, it would not be wise to assume your plugs are the same.
     
  14. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    Well, this is a Gen3 forum:)
     
  15. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    14mm works, I’ve used both before without issues.
     
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  16. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    That's not the question though. Both sizes work okay. Everybody is fine with that.

    The questions IS "Which one is the correct size 14mm OR 9/16?"

    And my answer is 14mm is the correct size 9/16" being the substitute.
     
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  17. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    As long as it gets the job done, it don't matter to me lol.
     
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  18. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    Then I would say "You gonna live longer than me":)
     
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  19. Uli@

    Uli@ Junior Member

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    I planning on changing my plugs soon too. Im looking at plug sockets from ares in 14mm one has a 12 in extension which i think is overkill and the other is i think 4 in. I plan to get the 4 in but would this be too small to get at the spark plugs? I have extensions but would rather get a plug socket that comes with the extension permanently attached already like the 12 in version.
     
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    It's never occurred to me to get a socket with extension; didn't know they existed. IIRC I needed a 6" extension, minimum.

    That said, a socket with extension is not going to pull apart on you. That can happen in particular after you've installed and torqued the new plug: you try to pull off and the socket (with grippy rubber insert) stays down there. Some masking tape on the extension/socket joint helps prevent that.

    Torque is 15 ft lbs with clean/dry threads. If you put anti/seize on threads (very sparingly) maybe reduce to 12~13 ft lbs.
     
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