Tool to change Spark Plug

[Gnahp]

I just realised this thread is about the tools needed

from right to left

torque wrench

3/8" sliding T bat + 3/8" extension + 3/8" spark plug socket = spark plug removal tool

old shoe lace to wrap around the spark plug boot to pull them out (they are super tight)

1/4" ratchet + 1/4" extension + 1/4" E8 socket (to remove the ignition coil)

feeler gauge

also, lots of lights

this is E-Torx, you need a set when you work on German car

a 14mm spark plug socket, it is different from a normal 14mm deep socket

spark plug socket has a magnet (some has rubber boot) inside to hold the spark plug and it has thin wall

a normal 14mm deep socket may stuck in a spark plug hole if the hole is small

[Kklee]

On 7/15/2024 at 1:17 PM, Gnahp said:

I just realised this thread is about the tools needed

from right to left

torque wrench

3/8" sliding T bat + 3/8" extension + 3/8" spark plug socket = spark plug removal tool

old shoe lace to wrap around the spark plug boot to pull them out (they are super tight)

1/4" ratchet + 1/4" extension + 1/4" E8 socket (to remove the ignition coil)

feeler gauge

also, lots of lights

this is E-Torx, you need a set when you work on German car

a 14mm spark plug socket, it is different from a normal 14mm deep socket

spark plug socket has a magnet (some has rubber boot) inside to hold the spark plug and it has thin wall

a normal 14mm deep socket may stuck in a spark plug hole if the hole is small

IMHO.
I need a car to practice on. 🤣

[Gnahp]

On 7/15/2024 at 1:28 PM, Kklee said:

IMHO.
I need a car to practice on. 🤣

I practice it on my wife's car 🤣

[Beregond]

On 7/15/2024 at 1:28 PM, Kklee said:

IMHO.
I need a car to practice on. 🤣

Most car is very easy to change. 

The plug is exposed on top. Just remove the top panel . 1 screw for each plug coil. Then can reach the plug liao.

But some car is extremely hard. Like fit or jazz. U need remove the wiper etc etc . Or some car need remove manifold. 

If your car is such cases . Better dun try 😅

[Gnahp]

On 7/15/2024 at 1:42 PM, Beregond said:

Most car is very easy to change. 

The plug is exposed on top. Just remove the top panel . 1 screw for each plug coil. Then can reach the plug liao.

But some car is extremely hard. Like fit or jazz. U need remove the wiper etc etc . Or some car need remove manifold. 

If your car is such cases . Better dun try 😅

yes, it is low hanging fruits in my wife's car case 😁

merc moved the spark plug location of their new engines from top centre to side, making it very easy and accessible to change

top centre hole is for direct injector, the sideway hole between the exhaust valve is the spark plug hole

you can see the spark plugs are located at the side of the cylinder head, like the old SOHC engine even though this is a DOHC engine

[Yeobh]

Buying a 14mm thin wall spark plug socket for European engines can be challenging for Professional mechanics let alone  DIYers due to specific requirements especially for European engines.

As a DIYers do you experience difficulties in trying to select the correct socket among the many offered online. Share your selection techniques

[Gnahp]

yeah, angmo chia spark plug socket size is getting smaller and smaller

my last car uses 16mm, which I thought is small

current car using 14mm, bought one when I changed the spark plugs last year

14mm thin wall with magnet insert

[ER-3682]

The worst Plug Change is those FWD V6 Engine,the Front 3 Plugs arre no issue,very Direct,but the Rear 3 Plugs are Nightmare,some Model even need to remove the Intake.

[Gnahp]

On 8/6/2025 at 6:46 PM, ER-3682 said:

The worst Plug Change is those FWD V6 Engine,the Front 3 Plugs arre no issue,very Direct,but the Rear 3 Plugs are Nightmare,some Model even need to remove the Intake.

I heard flat engine also not easy 😁

[ER-3682]

On 8/6/2025 at 7:19 PM, Gnahp said:

I heard flat engine also not easy 😁

Subaru Flat 4 is easy,Porsche Flat 6,i am still not up to that Standard to own it,so no comment.

[Yeobh]

The smallest spark plug socket is 12mm Bi-hexagon drive (12pts)

[Yeobh]

This 14mm bi-hexagon spark plug wrench comes with very thin wall designed for european engines