I've read so much about this subject but still have not checked mine after 22,000 miles - JCW intall at 6,000 miles.

What are the indicators - aside from the plug being loose? In my past experience, combustion gas enters the passenger compartment if a plug is not tight. It is more noticable upon start-up - a time when the air moving around and under the engine does not carry these gasses away.

I'm simply going on the assumption that no smell means no loose plugs??? Or, does something else occur that is unique to the Mini?

Michael

 

I check them every oil change. About every 5000 miles. Take less than 5 minutes.

 

MEB, I was at around 25,ooo miles when that thread was started and decided to change my spark plugs at the same time. When I took the originals out, I noticed some combustion deposits got passed the gasket/washer and on to the threads. I installed the new plugs, torqued them to 20lbs and a recent check at 55+ thousand miles revealed a obviusly better seal with clean plug threads.

 

Bad assumption. There's no 'telltale' that I know of to warn of loose plugs, short of one shooting out of the head with a big BANG! Just a few pulls of the plug wires and tugs of the wrench get the job done. If you don't have the tools or are unwilling, definitely have them checked at each oil change and at any service in between them.

FWIW, I checked mine at 26K miles - none were loose, but two took a bit more snugging than the other two.

 

Okay, I'm on my way to the tool box now...I'll let you know what I find.

Thanks for the advise!