[joeyga]

Hi all, I have a 2017 Smart 453 Gas turbo. I tried the standard spark plug socket but it wouldn't fit into the plug hole. Someone suggested I get the thin 14MM which I did but it won't fit the plugs I ordered which were Smart factory plugs LKR7B-9 and it also says on the box A 132 159 00 03. So, do I have the wrong plugs? I don't want to remove the engine plugs until I have the new plugs to replace them with. I feel fairly confident the 14MM socket I ordered WILL go into the spark plug hole but the spark plugs I ordered are either 16MM or 5/8 standard size. Thanks for any help.

 

[joeyga]

OK, so I got impatient and went ahead and pulled a plug. I hope me posting this here will help others.
The plug (original) was a NGK ILKAR7J7G which is equivalent to a NGK 91121 Iridium. The correct socket size is a thin walled 14MM. A standard size socket will not go down into the plug hole.

 

[mattwithcats]

NGK part finder, Canada version...

https://www.ngksparkplugs.ca/partfinder

The USA NGK web site is not as good....

 

[mattwithcats]

RockAuto has 453 plugs...

2017 SMART FORTWO 898cc L3 Turbocharged Spark Plug | RockAuto

RockAuto ships auto parts and body parts from over 300 manufacturers to customers' doors worldwide, all at warehouse prices. Easy to use parts catalog.

www.rockauto.com

 

[mattwithcats]

RockAuto also has spark plug sockets...

Ignition Tool Spark Plug Socket Parts | RockAuto

RockAuto ships auto parts and body parts from over 300 manufacturers to customers' doors worldwide, all at warehouse prices. Easy to use parts catalog.

www.rockauto.com

 

[mattwithcats]

Don't forget the anti seize...

http://www.itwconsumer.com/versachem-products/product.cfm?id=Anti%2DSeize%20Thread%20Lubricant%2C%20pocket%20pack-81

 

[1stiski]

Thin walled socket will fit , just by luck my BMW RT1200 uses the same thin wall I have in my tool box . Advance auto carries them

 

[smark]

I’ve always used a spark plug socket.

 

[1stiski]

I’ve always used a spark plug socket.

The item I’m explaining is also a spark plug socket with a rubber insulator , but is made to have very thin metal walls so it can fit down the extra narrow openings of some vehicles .

 

[joeyga]

Don't forget the anti seize...

http://www.itwconsumer.com/versachem-products/product.cfm?id=Anti%2DSeize%20Thread%20Lubricant%2C%20pocket%20pack-81

I have anti-seize compound but did not use it. NGK says their plugs have a special coating and if you use anti-seize it will make the torque settings unreliable. I also watched a clip on youtube (Scotty Kilmer) who said the same.

 

[OliverB]

I have anti-seize compound but did not use it. NGK says their plugs have a special coating and if you use anti-seize it will make the torque settings unreliable. I also watched a clip on youtube (Scotty Kilmer) who said the same.

Interesting. I’ve always used it in all my cars for more that 50 years. Never had an issue, never found a plug lose or too tight when changing and have used lots of NGK plugs in my Japanese cars.

 

[joeyga]

Interesting. I’ve always used it in all my cars for more that 50 years. Never had an issue, never found a plug lose or too tight when changing and have used lots of NGK plugs in my Japanese cars.

It is probably OK but I'll stick to the experts on this. I also watch Scotty Kilmer on youtube. He has been a mechanic for over 45 years and he also changed his mind on using anti-seize. I actually purchased two large containers of anti-seize at a N GA flea market this year.

 

[jzchen]

I just follow the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions regarding anti-seize. Mixed, some saying to and some saying not to, kind of like oil change hot or not…