Spark Plug Installation
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2nd Gear
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Spark Plug Installation
I am about to install new NGK spark plugs on my 2012 Cooper S.
- Are these pre-gapped to factory standards for the car? If not, how can I adjust the gap without tools?
- Do I need to apply a little anti-seize (just a hint)?
- How to work with a ratchet, I don't have a torque wrench. Some good videos advised 3/4 turns without anti-seize.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2018
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From: Washington state
Plugs always claim to be pre-gapped, and usually are, but it’s always a good idea to double check them. For example just the other day we had a tuning party with Mariokart and the pregapped plugs had gotten jostled around and on one guy’s car the there was actually no gap at all, they were touching the electrode. You can buy a spark plug gap tool for less than $2 at any auto parts store. I have several laying around. You can do it without a torque wrench, but unless you have exceptional feel, you don’t know how tight you are really cranking them down. You can pick up a cheap one for ten bucks at a place like harbor freight, they are good to have on hand for a number of things. Guesswork isn’t really a good idea when working on a car. If you don’t have the proper tools or know how, sometimes it’s better to have it done by a professional. But if you can get your hands on a gap tool at the very least, plugs are pretty simple. Anti-seize is always a good idea, just use it sparingly, and don’t get it all over the electrode or into the cylinder.
Good luck
Good luck
6th Gear
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,361
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From: Washington state
You are right, I had a brain malfunction and was just thinking of it’s use in general, and was like “of course you put it on there, watch the electrode.”.....No I do not put it on my plugs. Maybe I had the dielectric grease that comes in the coils had me confused along with a severe lack of caffeine. Lol.
I just put new plugs in my R60. They were NOT pregapped. All different and way too big...might have been the horribly torturous ride from ECS to my house though.
No antisieze. Just do it on a cold engine.
I didnt use a torque wrench even though I have one. Its only 18 ftlbs (at least that is what I found for the R60...dont quote me).... you can easily feel them properly tighten IMO. You would NEVER get 3/4 turn of tightening after they stop easily turning. Maybe 1/20th of a turn. It isnt much at all.
No antisieze. Just do it on a cold engine.
I didnt use a torque wrench even though I have one. Its only 18 ftlbs (at least that is what I found for the R60...dont quote me).... you can easily feel them properly tighten IMO. You would NEVER get 3/4 turn of tightening after they stop easily turning. Maybe 1/20th of a turn. It isnt much at all.
Most are pre gapped for MINI but what we find is they are off like they get in a tumble debir machine after gapped and they are off. They have that little cardboard tube but sometimes they come in from Beru and NGK direct bumped from shipping, you dont know till you open them up. I had one not bumped in the carton and the gap did not match the others. Just check them before install. Sorry they were off. We will update all our descriptions to check them and use a gap tool, thanks for the honest input. 
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MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
Most are pre gapped for MINI but what we find is they are off like they get in a tumble debir machine after gapped and they are off. They have that little cardboard tube but sometimes they come in from Beru and NGK direct bumped from shipping, you dont know till you open them up. I had one not bumped in the carton and the gap did not match the others. Just check them before install. Sorry they were off. We will update all our descriptions to check them and use a gap tool, thanks for the honest input.
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2nd Gear
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Stuck here with parts. I have a 13/16" magnetic swivel drive but the 12 point spark plug is 3/8". I can do either of the following:
Thank you!
- Buy an adapter -13/16" male, 3/8" female-hex or 3/8" male square.
- Get a spark plug extension bar which will take more time.
Thank you!
Last edited by tanjg; Sep 8, 2018 at 01:38 PM.
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2nd Gear
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(Will this even go inside the spark plug cavity, too thick?)
This would fit in nicely but does not have a magnetic swivel :(
Thank you!
Last edited by tanjg; Sep 9, 2018 at 02:19 AM.
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
Not understanding why you think you need any sort of swivel? It's just a straight shot, the thinwall sparkplug socket plus a 3/8" extension and a ratchet handle are all that is necessary.
Yeah I just used a 'normal' 12pt 14mm and extensions....once it was loose my normal socket wasnt lifting the plugs out so I just simply used one of those extendable magnet things. This is also how I put the new plugs down in and started the threads.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,361
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From: Washington state
Yep! That’s all you need
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2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2017
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They came pre-gapped at 0.032", I manually adjusted them to around 0.026-0.028. Ignition coils are all in good condition. I don't sense a misfire but I just want to be sure, the OBD II engine diagnosis is all good too. I guess I am just a bit anxious. I can upload a video clip if someone can make something out of it.
Thank you!
Thank you!
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