5 Best Torque Wrenches for Spark Plugs

If the torque range is not right, this can lead to the damage of brakes. It can also make the lug studs frail if you apply too much torque. Often, such a mistake can lead to road accidents.

Your problem can be solved if you pick a torque wrench. It can assist to hit the correct torque range at the exact moment.

You may read 5 reviews of the best torque wrenches for spark plugs on the U.S. market here. Check the details about all the models, so you can find the one that meets your needs.

The spark plug wrenches were picked based on their performance, materials, range of torque power, accuracy, handle shape, calibration, user rating, cost, and durability.

Do not forget to check the comparison table and buying guide.

TACKLIFE 3/8″ Wrench Set – the best for versatility!

The TACKLIFE collection is a perfect alternative for those looking to do medium and small designs. Features an adjustable ring at the bottom that will help you position your torque wrench quickly and secure it. Upon hitting the specified torque you can hear a click sound.

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Also, this set of torque wrenches is made of top-rated steel. That is why these tools are portable and lightweight. The dual-range measurement system increases numeral clarity and it is readable even in locations where the light conditions are limited.

Its sturdy build makes the torque wrench tightly clenched with an extension bar of 2.95 inches. This reversible ratchet can also be rotated clockwise and reverse in the opposite direction.

TEKTON 3/8 Inch Wrench – the best for durability!

That’s an excellent product for the price, and you can have confidence when you buy it because you know the wrench comes from a reliable, long-suffering and respected brand.

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Yeah, you can get anything you want with this wrench: pre-calibration, the storage case, the manual, the adjustable ratcheting handle. It has a reduced size and torque range.

You would not be able to smash it with accuracy without a wireless torque wrench. Therefore, its smaller size does not mean worse quality.

The torque range can be adjusted in increments of one pound to ensure that the smaller jobs around the store, office or home will be done with an accurate approach.

EPAuto 3/8-Inch Wrench – the best for novices!

This product has a long-lasting ratchet head type. In addition, the 3/8-inch EPAuto tool is made of chrome steel alloy coated with hardened chrome.

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You may use this affordable torque wrench to fix the brake pads. Easy to use, only read the instructions before using and ensure that the torque on the wrench is decompressed to 0 when stored/not used.

TEKTON 1/4 Inch Dual-Direction Wrench – the best for portability!

For someone who wants to get a two-way wrench, but who doesn’t want to break the bank, TEKTON TRQ21101 is a good option. Yes, this tool works both counter-clockwise and clockwise, making it useful when one direction or the other is required.

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It is +/- 4% precise if rotated clockwise and +/- 6% precise when the other direction is rotated. This is the most precise thing, but it is acceptable for a bi-directional wrench on the market.

It has a very wide range of torque from 10 to 150 in-lbs. and you have access to some of the delicate jobs.

It is a decent wrench overall and a good replacement for the top model if you don’t want to spend a fortune.

EPAuto 1/4-Inch Wrench – the best for torque range!

The 1/4 inch EPAuto wrench is composed of a chrome vanadium stainless steel alloy that also offers a lot of power with a little scratch resistance. It’s an excellent alloy, beyond that, for those of you who want well-working instruments and also look good.

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Its satin finish allows it to stay free of corrosion and can go for very long without any signs of rust as long as it is kept under dry conditions.

The carrying case comes with a specific instrument of this sort. It is nice to have. It has a high contrast scale so that you always get the settings you want. It makes it simple to see the settings. It does feel cheap, but it is hard to hold that too much against it because of the price you pay for it and the way it operates.

The tool works well, with a good handle, straight wrench, make sure you read storage instructions to keep calibration. First, you should check how it feels/sounds, it is recommended to test the torque limit mechanism “click” on non-critical applications.

The Buyer’s Guide

If you seek the correct installation of spark plugs, a special torque wrench must be applied. Any professional torque wrench for spark plugs allows installing the parts in compliance with the required torque, which is specified in the manufacturer’s guidelines.

What can happen if you do not use a special tool to screw spark plugs?

Most breakdowns associated with spark plugs occur due to improper installation and failure to comply with the tightening torque. A plug that is not tightened to the required value can cause the following breakdowns of your vehicle:

• Possible loss of compression;
• Overheated plugs;
• Vibrations can break the centerpiece electrode or insulator;

On the contrary, a properly tightened spark plug can lead to the following consequences:

• You can provoke a breakdown of the upper insulator and then damage it. Because of this, it begins to scroll around its axis;
• Using a lot of effort, you can break the plug;
• Strong tightening can lead to expansion of the body, disrupting normal heat dissipation;

As you can see, hauling the spark plugs may lead to unpleasant consequences. Please when installing spark plugs, use a proper torque wrench.

What best torque wrenches for spark plugs I recommend:

• TACKLIFE is the best pick with the most accurate range – 13.6-108.5 Nm (4%);
• TEKTON 24330 is also great due to the 24-tooth gear ratchet;
• EPAuto is a quite lengthy instrument with the same parameters;

Pay attention to the fact that the package of any spark plug must indicate the torque used during the installation of a vehicle’s engine. Based on this value, it is necessary to choose a specific torque wrench for plugs.

Types

Beam wrenches. One of the simplest and most affordable options for people who want to repair their cars on a budget. Such a wrench has a simple design and low cost. In terms of accuracy, they are inferior to competitors, have an accuracy percentage of up to 10%. In this case, do not count on a maximum tightening torque range of more than 280 Nm. Among professional car repair mechanics, such wrenches are not in demand. However, if you carry out work in the garage, and the procedure does not require increased accuracy, this tool should be quite enough.

Click wrenches. They are the ultimate instruments for spark plugs. For such tools, the torque range can vary from 40 to 360 Nm, which already significantly exceeds the capabilities of a standard beam wrench. This range greatly simplifies the selection of a specific tool with the necessary characteristics. Such instruments are quite versatile. The accuracy percentage does not exceed 5%.

Digital wrenches. Having it mind the torque range recommended for your car model, you may choose an electronic wrench. This is the best tool for car maintenance, although it is rare in the garages of DIYers and car repair experts. This is a professional-grade device with the highest technical specifications. The measurement scale is electronic, and when the desired range is reached, an audible signal is sounded, often supplemented by LED indicators. The range starts at 20 Nm. However, the most significant feature of such a wrench is an error that does not go beyond 1%. The only but significant reason to refuse to purchase an electronic device is the price.

Adapters

The use of these adapters improves functionality and does not affect the accuracy of the tool. If you have a choice of a torque wrench, then it is better to purchase a kit with interchangeable nozzles and different drive adapters.

Why should you use these tools?

The spark plugs typically break due to improper installation or over-tightening. The plug that is not tightened to the set range can cause the following issues:

• Possible loss of accuracy;
• Overheated spark plugs;
• Vibrations may break the center insulator;

On the contrary, an over-tightened spark plug may cause many troubles:

• The insulator may break if the plug is too tight;
• You can break the plug if it is over-tightened;
• Over-tightening can lead to expansion of the spark plug;

Torque Wrenches for Spark Plugs FAQ

What is the best torque wrench for spark plugs?

Spark plugs to be replaced regularly. If not replaced on time, it may trigger misfires, poor gas mileage, and, in the worst-case scenario, negatively affect both acceleration and engine efficiency. Although car makers use spark plugs with longer life such that the difference can be sustained for thousands of miles, the electrodes can erode anyway, and this will expand the gap, creating some of the problems described above.

Of course, you should still drive the car to the shop to get work finished, so the real task just takes an hour if you have the necessary equipment. A torque wrench required for tightening the plugs is included. Spark plug torque is essential for all vehicles, and you must provide a torque wrench to get the parameters that are critical for the motor. For example, if you apply too much torque, the plug would be distorted.

There are 5 torque wrenches you may use for spark plugs: 

• GEARWRENCH 85066 ½-inch drive wrench;
• CDI 2503MFRMH ½-inch drive wrench;
• eTORK (C3150) 1/2-inch drive wrench;
• PREC3FR250F Silver ½-inch drive wrench;
• TEKTON 24335 ½-inch drive wrench;

What size torque wrench do you require for spark plugs?

The torque used to tighten a spark plug varies with its diameter.

To begin mounting the spark plug, screw it in by hand. If the gasket touched the cylinder head, tighten it to the tightening torque indicated below with the torque wrench.

For manual tightening/removing spark plugs, a rubber pipe can be a suitable replacement.

Follow these recommendations when picking the torque range for the plug thread diameter:

The tightening angle is 1/16th of a turn on both fresh and used spark plugs.

Can you tighten spark plugs without a torque wrench?

New plugs have a “crush” washer that is intended to flatten out after installation. As you steadily tighten the (cold) plugs, you will see the washer flatten out. After hand tightening the plugs, start steadily tuning the plug wrench. The resistance would be somewhat constant before halfway or two-thirds of the way around the switch. You would have totally crushed the washer at that stage, and the plug will become visibly tighter. That’s when you need to stop.

If you detach the plugs and then replace them, you would just need 1/8 to 1/4 turn to flatten out the crush washer.

You can twist it as much as you can manually and then around another 1/2 turn with a wrench. That should do the trick. If you can even unscrew it with your hand, it’s not tight enough. Spark plugs should be properly seated but not “forced” in position. They’re a very weak component of the engine that can quickly crack.

Spark plugs can be torqued according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. However, the plugs can be tightened successfully without a torque wrench. Tighten spark plugs with new or re-used gaskets before they seat.

Do you need to torque down the spark plugs?

Confirm that the spark plug’s thread reach is appropriate for your engine. Fasten the spark plug finger-tight before the gasket meets the cylinder head, then use a spark plug wrench to tighten for extra 12 – 23 turns.

If the spark plugs are over-torqued, they can unscrew or blast out of the cylinder head. Overtightening the plug may trigger it to seize in the head. And, apply an anti-seize compound on the spark plug threads. Under-tightening the spark plugs will trigger them to fall out of the engine.

Anything with a torque value can ideally be torqued to that value. The problem with spark plugs is usually not keeping them close enough, but rather avoiding over-tightening. It’s not a smart idea to strip the threads on a spark plug.

Spark plugs must be close enough to form a strong seal with the washer, but not so tight that the threads are damaged.

What should you torque your spark plugs to?

Torque is one of the most important elements of spark plug installation. Torque has a significant impact on the capacity of the plug’s firing end to disperse heat to the head. Heat dissipation would be delayed if the plug doesn’t seat properly in the cylinder head. Then the firing end of the plug will overheat, resulting in pre-ignition.

Over-torqued plugs, on the other hand, will trigger the metal shell of the plug to expand. Threads will crack and/or fall up. Stretching the metal shell may trigger the inner gas seals to crack or the plug insulator to fracture. Pre-ignition is the most harmful outcome when heat dissipation is decreased due to metal shell stretching caused by over-torquing. Over-torquing, in short, may cause serious engine issues.

The spark plug’s holes should be very clean before installation; otherwise, you might be twisting against soil or debris and the plug may be under-torqued, even though the torque wrench shows the correct torque. Of course, you can just uninstall and add spark plugs in a cool engine, since metal expands when heated, causing the damage.

Here is how you should install a spark plug with a torque specification kept in mind: 

• Confirm that the plug’s thread reach is appropriate for your engine;
• Remove the debris from the cylinder head’s gasket seal;
• Tighten the plug before the gasket meets the cylinder head, then tighten around 12 – 23 turns further with a spark plug wrench (around 1/16 inches per turn);

Are Snap-on torque wrenches trustworthy?

Snap-on is a well-known manufacturing brand in the hand and power tool industries. This brand has a good reputation among mechanics and engineers in workshops, garages, and car factories. Most users because of their tools’ accuracy and strength chose this brand.

Snap-on torque tools are primarily utilized in the restoration and servicing of vehicles, helicopters, nuclear reactors, and the aviation industry. They are also well-known for their storage cabinet production.

Its tools are developed with specialized software and comply with standards such as ISO 9001 and ASME. They also produced torque wrenches in a variety of ranges such that a consumer can choose the one that best suits his needs. They are manufactured and checked in laboratories, according to industry standards.

Snap-on has collaborated with several organizations during the past decade. Bachco, Williams, CDI are subsidiaries of the brand Snap-on, with CDI being the most popular tool manufacturer.

Distinctive features of Snap-on torque wrenches:

1) Bending neck. The upper ratchet section may be bent at three or more convenient speeds. This is the most spectacular alternative available in this torque wrench. If bending the top part of the torque wrench, ensure that it is in the correct ridges in the bending neck. It may stuck in this state. Working without locking the neck may cause slipping off the fastener and causing injury;

2) Knurled grip. The secret to successful work is a firm and rigid hold. And this is a wrench, it must be clenched tightly. Also without a rubber grip, the knurled handle would be very useful in this situation. The handle of Snap-on wrenches is knurled, allowing you to operate with bare hands. If your hands are sweaty, the tool would not fall when operating. It is a great advantage;

Final thoughts

In the guide, you can find the right torque wrenches for nuts and spark plugs. It is not a complete list of all the good tools on the market, however. You may continue this list on a steady foot. Check the comparison table to pick the wrench that suits your daily tasks.