The extention I'm using on the ratchet to install the spark plugs comes off when I try to pull the ratchet out after tighting the plug! I'm using the spark plug socket that has rubber protection which in turn provides pretty tight grip. Should I use one without rubber? or the extention I'm using is f****d up?

 

I use the rubber one to start the plug by hand, then switch to a non rubber one to tighten it. When you start the plug, just barely put the plug in the rubber, enough to hold it, not enough to get it stuck.

 

Thanks for the tip.

After I posted the message I had the idea to stick something between the socket drive & the extention and it worked Just got back from kragen ... I got NGK laser platinum for 9.95 a piece!!(daaamn) ... waiting 4 the engine 2 cool off 2 put'em in

 

wow 9.95 is alot for a plug. Irridiums go for $12.99. Did you put anti seize on the threads of the plugs?

 

what engine do you have? The iridiums and platinums will make most honda engines run worse, than if you were to use oem replacement copper core NGKs

 

I dont know if thats entirely true, but they sure wont make any increases... atleast on stock. I bought bosch p4's before I knew better. They beat the worn ones that were in there, but obviously did nothing better.

 

they can and quite possibly will make it run worse. The cars timing and fuel maps are designed for a particular spark plug heat range, which changes when you switch to platinum or iridium.

The factory plugs ignite in a way that the car it tuned for. with the wrong material plug they won't fire absolutely correctly.

I have seen more than one vehicle throw a check engine light just from platinum plugs, causing the engine to behave incorrectly and giving a misfire code

 

I actually cut my rubber part in 1/2 so it only slightly grabs. Or you can buy a locking extention from Craftsman like I have.

 

Actually, those are the OEM for my 02 EX. I didn't really purposely choose them to be platinum ... it's what the manual recomends. If you go to NGK website and sellect the model and year of my car, you will get 4 choices with the laser platinum ones as OEM. Platinum tipped spark plugs are widely used in newer cars

 

You know, I thought about that (to cut it in half) and then decided to cut and stick a small piece of chamois between the socket and the extention and it worked perfectly. So much that I had hard time taking them apart afterwards. To seat it down I used a ruber hose.