Duratec spark plug torque setting

[Bob Shelley]

Can anybody help? Not in the archives that I can find.

 

Thanks POBC

[Jonathan Kay]

Is that the same engine as in a Ford Focus?

 

Jonathan

[BAZZA]

correct.

[keybaud]

For the lazy, the linked article states:

 

"Place the new spark plug into the cylinder head and tighten it by hand as much as you can.

 

Tighten the spark plugs to 11 ft-lbs with a torque wrench."

 

 

Convert to metric, as appropriate.

[John Vine]

Personally, I'd go a little lower: 12Nm or 9 lb ft in round numbers.

 

JV

[Bob Shelley]

Thanks guys. I found some stuff too and seems like 9-11 ft-lbs is the way to go.

 

Appreciate your help as ever.

[Jason Plato]

I prefer to nip up a new plug then undo a quarter turn and then torque to a Urgh.

 

this compresses the copper washer and seat the plug correctly.

 

[7 wonders of the world]

Duratec plugs are taper seat so there's no copper washer though, a light anti seize on the threads and a light smear of vaseline inside the HT rubber will help with removal when required too

[Jason Plato]

the bcpr7es plugs I run certainly have a washer ....

[Rob Walker]

Dave you have the wrong plugs fitted, should be BR7EFS and these seal on a taper which just needs nipping up.

[Jason Plato]

I've got a box of hem I've been running for 6 years , they are just fine

[Stationary M25 Traveller]

Is there confusion here between k-series and Duratec ?

 

I thought Ford was a taper thread in the head and k-series was parallel with washer.

[John Vine]

My 2008 R400D came with the standard FoMoCo TR6AP-13 plugs (made, I believe, by NGK). The "T" indicates a taper seat (no gasket).

 

A bit more on torques: NGK recommend 10-20Nm (7-14 lb ft) for their 14mm taper plugs into an aluminium head. If no torque wrench is available, they suggest hand-tight plus 1/16 turn (22.5deg). Haynes recommend 12Nm (9 lb ft). NGK also recommend no lube on the threads.

 

JV

[Birkin S3 ZA.]

I have just been into the workshop and pulled out my 2002 Duratec head, my 2013 new highport Duratec head, and my other Zetec blacktop head.

 

When I was setting up my car with the Zetec, I had no choice of plugs here so had to use the 2,5 RS turbo plugs that had the better heat range for my motor.

 

The std Zetec is a taper seat, the 2,5 RS plugs have a 19mm washer but the head is machined with a 20mm diameter flat face for the 19mm washer to seal on just above the taper.

 

When I have checked the Duratec there is only a 18mm diameter flat seat above the taper, when I tried the zetec plug with the washer,

the 19mm washer is not happy going in to the 18mm diameter recess and was 10mm short of seating.

You would have to force it and the reach might not be enough.

 

The diameter of the PTR6F plug is 16,3mm just above the taper, If your plugs have a washer bigger than 18 mm it’s not going to work unless you get the seat face enlarged.

I have a fancy plug socket with a built in pre set torque of 20nm but I still like to trust my own judgment.

 

Chris

[Jason Plato]

doh..... just checked in the garage and I have a box of old k series plugs and a set of four duratec plugs ....... guess which ones I've not been using for the past 6 years ..... 😬

[Birkin S3 ZA.]

I remember reading somewhere that some of the Duratecs that are built for racing have the recess machined for the sparkplug washer,

 

to give the tuners a wider choice of plugs and heat range to fit the Duratec.

[Bob Shelley]

All sorted. Fitted NGK BR7EFS with 37 thou gap and 10 lb-ft. The seat was conical.

 

Now need advice on the coolant change - see separate post.

 

Thanks all.