(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best spark plug & ignition tools

I'd also suggest something like this to help get your plugs seated correctly, in addition to the other tools caving311 mentioned.

Talked to the head mechanic at the Subaru dealership when my wife and I were there picking up parts for her '05 Outback, and this is what they used. He did say that a piece of fuel line or snug-fitting hose would work just as well.

If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, definitely take it to the dealership. $150 for plugs and wires isn't that bad, and they should also be able to check it out and make sure it is just your plugs/wires and not a clogged/bad fuel injector.

I could see spark on mine but when I got one of these

https://www.amazon.com/Thexton-THE404-Spark-Tester/dp/B0002STSBM

I found that it was actually a weak spark that just looked good. It probably wasn't sparking during at high compression when in the engine. I replaced the voltage regulator rectifier and I had nice strong spark. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the only problem for me so I am checking the timing next. But mine is another story.

Pretty sure you can use something like this. Probably could just make it out of a coat hanger, all you want is to have it hook around the boot to pull it out and not by the wire.

Just had the insert coin issue about 2 minutes ago. Looked over and saw a plug gapping coin. Works wonders. The increasing edge works great for opening the tin.

Edit: one of these http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000J544IU/ref=pd_aw_sims_9?pi=SL500_SS115&simLd=1

I bought this and it works great

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0039LB8PI/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1510099229&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=tusk+spark+plug+socket&dpPl=1&dpID=31hdTR5ZzbL&ref=plSrch

Kastar magnetic spark plug socket (3/8"-dr., 5/8"). Made in USA.

The spark plugs require a special thin-wall socket.

also use a thread chaser of the right size on it if its rough or dirty to clean the threads. spark plugs should rotate smoothly. like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-20020-Limited-Access-Spark/dp/B008MFR2IS/ref=pd_sim_263_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=R5ERHJ59V33ER545DTTX

use little grease in the grooves to catch the dirt and grime
go in a little then pull out and clean the chaser then go in more. Use a 1 foot or less stiff small diameter hose over the back tip to start the spark plug so no cross threading occurs, as the hose will slip before the threads will damage themselves. Maybe consider a touch of anti-seize on the threads on the new spark plugs if they were hard to get out.

These work great.

If you have the toolkit that came with the bike, then there should be one of these. Otherwise, a thin-wall deep-well 16mm socket (double-check the plug size on your bike) like this with an extension should work.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXJ3X7P/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_g1UJBbF55WSPQ

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JGTFAA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_54UJBbFZ4MCXM

https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Line-Spark-Engine-Tester/dp/B01CRKCOH2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492744295&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=spark+tester&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/OTC-6918-Spark-Plug-Remover/dp/B00C6R1P6I

Or you could just go buy one of these and have the thing opened in less than a minute.

This would be the kit you need unless you do as IronSlanginRed mentioned and dig to it

Just remember, If you tap the hole or drill, fill the grooves of the tap and/or drill with some heavy bearing grease and go SLOW. This way the grease will catch most if not all of the shavings.

On Amazon.com too
http://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-08-0460-Spark-Gauge/dp/B0022ZXI0U/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1407195382&sr=8-4&keywords=motion+pro+spark+plug

Get this, thank me later:

https://www.amazon.com/Lang-Tools-528-Diameter-Magnetic/dp/B000P72C90

Edit: Or any magnetic socket; I got mine 15 years ago and haven't looked back since.

wire gauges.. this one from CTA tools has the most sizes.. but its crazy expensive at $3.00 https://www.amazon.com/CTA-Tools-3238-Spark-Gauge/dp/B00PISL328

i generally use my feeler gauge set. with extreme care to NOT put any side force on the center conductor/insulator. you don't want to snap the insulator deep in the spark plug bore causing a really hard to find misfire.

Didn't see a spark plug socket on the list.

https://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Tool-Supply-Magnetic-Socket/dp/B005VR6ZQA

You'll need to check the size of those plugs. Remove all paneling and covers necessary.

If you have an N54 or N55 (2006+ E Chassis), you need this 12 point socket.

Otherwise you need a 14mm 12 point socket.



Although I've never heard of anyone using a 5/8" 12 point on any n54. It's probable it could work. Normal sockets do not fit. Not even snapons.

Here's the thing. You're gonna need a torque wrench.

2006-2009
325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi
23 +/-3 Nm (18 +/-2 ft-lb)

Feeler gauge. I use similar ones to the one that Cory linked to.


For adjusting, you can use an adjustment tool that screws the ground electrode closer to the center tip like this one or lightly tap the ground if you don't. Do not pry on or file down the center electrode tip to set gap.


0.026" is the standard it seems regardless of whether you're stock or tuned.

I would suggest diagnosing it, there are a lot of things that could be wrong. First I would check for spark and injector pulse, and I would jump out the codes like in that link I gave, to be certain that the 51 code is a powertrain code and not an ABS code. Because if you do have a 51, you probably need an ECM.

Between the ICM and the ECM, The ICM is the much more common failure point. It is where your 3 ignition coils sit. It's the more common failure point, but it is also often misdiagnosed when the culprit is a bad crank sensor as another poster suggested.

Start with testing spark and injector pulse. If you don't know how you need a Spark Tester and a Noid Light.

Side note, I much prefer this sort of spark tester because it has more utility, being able to measure actual kV can be very handy on some cars, but the cheaper one will work fine for you. If you are going to work on your own vehicles, a Spark Tester and a Noid Light are both must haves.

> a small hole poked into the grommet in the firewall

Big gotcha here! If you do this, use a wire insertion tool and not a drill. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Thexton-THE476-Wire-Insertion-Combo/dp/B000K1IEAC

I did the drill thing on my brand new F-150 less than 4 hours after I drove it off the lot about 2 years ago and I promptly drilled right into the driver-side wiring loom! Luckily I had the battery disconnected and the air-bag didn't go off. When I pulled the drill back it came out with a big ball of ripped wires and copper shards. Stoopid me was sure that I had the drill angled to avoid the loom, but somehow I screwed it up and had to spend the next six hours outside below freezing in the dark repairing the damage. That's a lump-in-my-throat sinking feeling I never want to have again!