I will be changing my plugs out very shortly and I was set on placing anti-seize on the threads. I was told this was common practice. Then yesterday, I heard from someone on the forums here to not place anti-seize on the threads of my plugs. What gives? I have a '97 with a 5.4 and 110,000mi. Do I anti-seize or not...?

 

You will get mixed replies. I use it on mine. But I don't use a torque wrench to tighten the plugs. I go by feel. If you are using a torque wrench and use the OEM spec you will over tighten them and that may damage the threads.

Regards

JMC

 

I have always replaced plugs and torqued "by feel" since I was 12 years old!

Anyway, I didn't use anti-seize or die electic grease when I installed my plugs some 4+ years ago.. Actually, closer to 5 years now...

I've pulled the 'easier' plugs several times since then to check them out, since the Bosch +4's get such bad reviews on here, and they come out very easy and I put them back in 'very easy'.... I usually spray some WD-40 on the threads, just to make it easy to thread, then I use an old spark plug wire to actually thread the plug in, so I KNOW it's not cross threaded and it's seated. Then I just give the socket a nice 'snug' hit by hand and call it good....

90,000 + miles on the plugs and have never had an issue...

Mitch

 

I had mine replaced at 100K on my 2000 5.4. I let the dealership do it because I did not want to wrestle with the rear plugs. My back isn't what it used to be. Since I do not fully trust dealerships, I took out the easiest one that I could get to about a week later and sure enough, it was brand new and there was no anti-sieze compund on the threads.

 

I put anti-seize on my plugs because it was $1 extra for the goo, cheap insurance in my book. But, this is the first vehicle that I have ever used anti seize on. With the spark plugs being so hard to get at, just go ahead and use it. And I have never used a torque wrench before either, I just do it until it's tight. I don't crank down on it though.

 

I put some on mine when I did it. Not gobs of it, just enough to coat it. I've always heard that using anti sieze or similar is necessary when threading into dissimilar metals. Just a thaught. Also, go by feel. Good luck getting a torque wrench in there to do some of the plugs anyways. My dad taught me to use anti sieze on everything and don't reef on things, make them snug.

 

I just replaced mine and I used antisieze on the threads and dielectric grease on the boots.
Like everyone else here I tightened be feel not torque.

 

I think the majority of spark plug problems are people overtightning them and crossthreading them.