Hello,

how difficult is a spark plug replacement? Scale 1-10.

1. does the cowl need to come off?
2. what length extension is needed?
3. anti-seize?
4. torque settings?

I’m at 160,000 kms. 2015. No MM yet, but I think it’ll come up at the next oil change.

Anything else on MM 4?

Already changed the serpentine belt which was cracking.

EDIT - correction. It’s a 2015 model.

 

The info I have is
Specs: Gap .039 - .043" (1.0 - 1.1 mm.) Torque 16 ft-lb
Not sure if accurate so verify with someone else.

Do NOT use anti-seize.

 

See the bold text in the quote please.

 

1. I was able to do them without removing Cowl.
I just needed a short-enough (magnetic) socket+extension, so it doesn't hit the cowl when I try to put it in.
I'd extend it further using a short extension as I put it in.
2. I have bunch of magnetic socket and socket+swivel extensions, and regular extensions, and I don't remember exactly what combos I used.
Key point is, if anything is too long, you won't be able to put it in, because the cowl will get in the way.
3. No.
4. According to my notes:
Honda: 13.0 lb-ft (18 N-m)
NGK (aluminum head): 10.8-14.5 lb-ft
NGK (iron head): 10.8-16.0 lb-ft
*When I last looked them up, which was almost 2 years ago*
5. Torque spec for the ignition coils according to various service manuals I happen to have a copy of:
Honda: Unable to find one.
Nissan Frontier: 62 lb-INCH
Toyota: 66 lb-INCH
BRZ/FR-S: 75 lb-INCH
Protege5: 69.5-95.4 lb-INCH
Impreza: 106.8 lb-INCH
I think I did 66 lb-INCH.

 

The spark plug torque spec of 13 lb ft has been long updated to the S2000's spec of 17 to 20 lb ft. This was due to the increased likelihood of spark plugs loosening and ejecting from the cylinder head as well as better matched what NGK and Denso recommended as torque specs.

 

Ah, you're probably right. OP has a 2013 Fit, a generation which had serious problems with spark plug loosening. Anti-seize might also be appropriate to him.(?) He mis-posted in the 2015+ 3rd generation forum and I missed the detail that he actually has a 2013 which is quite different from the 2015 series which does not have any spark plug issues..

 

Now I have no idea if anything I wrote is relevant, because mine is 2019.
Also, you all made me pull the coil packs, and re-tighten the spark plugs.
I looked into the holes and saw no issues (all clean), so I did NOT take any of the plugs out.
I merely re-torqued them to 16 lb-ft. They all turned a tad bit more, and smoothly.
Not worried about it.

 

If I recall correctly, for sure all of the SOHC L15s are affected by this updated spec which of course includes the CR-Z since they have the same literal cylinder head as the L15A7 but with a revised rocker arm assembly and camshaft.

The big thing is to ensure that the sealing washers on the spark plugs are adequately crushed while tightening.

Its ok! We're all human.

Sure, the plugs can back out with time thanks to heat cycling and the usual NVH from engine operation but in most cases plug ejection is still fairly uncommon.

The three cases I've stumbled upon loose spark plugs...

The first was my personal beater GD at 348k miles, ALL off them were loose when I was sorting the car's maintenance after getting it from the previous owner. There was a good bit of deferred or questionably done maintenance of the car... But I rescued it.

The second was the factory plugs on a 2012 GE Sport with 78k miles a little over a year ago. Cylinders 2 and 3 were loose enough to lightly palm smack my 3/8ths ratchet to break them loose.

The third and was an actual spark plug ejection was on a GD Sport. Recommended spark plug replacement to the owner many of times before plug ejection and they declined each time. Even recommended them when you can literally hear the air/fuel mix get pushed past the threads of the spark plug/cylinder head... They of course declined the service. Pluggo ejecto, did a heliocoil repair kit with red loctite and booted the car out. Haven't seen the car or client in at least a year now.

 

@Hootie Thanks, Hootie. It's good to have a steady hand around here. Forums sometimes give an unbalanced, not to say inaccurate, view of things. Although I think we do a pretty good job on FitFreaks of holding on to our sanity.

Now, if we can just get @Pyts to clean up his front yard so his neighbors will stop complaining . . . .

 

Yes, they told me use anti seize and 20 ft/#s at the dealership. This is the new spec in the updated service manual.