how to remove spark plug on 400EX?

[cyba888]

The spark plug on the 400EX looks hard to remove, do I need to take off the gas tank as well?

[Braff1]

you can do it with the gas tank on but it will be a tight fit. The easiest way is to remove the tank. Just use the supplied plug wrench and a screwdriver to twist it out. Just make sure that when you put your plug back in that it don't get cross threaded. I also add a little anti-seize to the threads of the plug. that way the water and mud don't rust it making it hard to come out.

[JOEX]

The only thing you need to take off is the spark plug boot.
I use a 3/8 drive 18mm deep well socket and the short extention.

The stock tool is supposed to work too without removing the tank but I don't have it.

Joe

[HondaChris]

Yes it will come out without removing the tank with the stock plug wrench or a socket. the easiest way I found to do it is to shut off the gas and stand it up on end on the rear grab bar...makes it high enough so its not at a goofy angle to get in there and do the work. This also makes it easier to start it back in by hand so not to cross-thread it.

[AAAirbooorn]

i put a vacuum hose down in there before i take out the plug to get the driedmud out. i don't want that stuff falling onto the piston.... that whole setup is wierd.



Tom

[Bill Fuller]

Very simple project (if you want to call it a project).Less than one beer in time.As said before make sure you get all the mud out.I would recommend adding some Die electric grease to the spark plug boot(squirt inside)if you haven't already.If you think that is hard try changing one on a Cannon Dale.:D

[b18c1eg]

What brand socket are you guys using? The Craftsman deep well 18mm is too thick... and the Stanley ones out at Wal-Mart look too thick as well. They don't carry Popular Mechanix any longer.

HELP!!!

Up until now I've been a die hard Honda fan for fit, finish, and ease to work on... this has been a big disappointment for me.

[Bill Fuller]

You have got to be kidding me.You are complaining about Honda because your socket wont fit?I personally never could find a socket that would fit either,so I went to the Dealer and ordered a stock spark plug tool.Changing the plug is nothing to get worked up over,Do you NEED to change the plug?I ran the same plug for a whole season and more(Oct-June).

[b18c1eg]

Originally posted by Bill Fuller
You have got to be kidding me.You are complaining about Honda because your socket wont fit?I personally never could find a socket that would fit either,so I went to the Dealer and ordered a stock spark plug tool.Changing the plug is nothing to get worked up over,Do you NEED to change the plug?I ran the same plug for a whole season and more(Oct-June).

It's a spark plug change... it should be straight forward. I shouldn't have to grind a socket down to fit, they should have engineered the fitment a bit better.

I have always spoke highly of Honda... in fact I've done 4 swaps in their cars, auto to manual conversions, suspension swaps, clutch changes, entire fuel system swaps, OBD2 to OBD1 conversions etc... all in their cars... and everything was always straightforward. This is just not what I have come to expect from Honda... I'm just disappointed that they would design something this way.

I could understand if it was a more complex component of the engine, but come on... it's a spark plug for Pete's sake. And yes, I DO need to change the plug.

BTW... how much was the new tool?

[Bill Fuller]

I forget the price but I believe it was around $10.As for fit and design,they want you to use thier tool so you don't put a rachet and socket on the plug and over tighten it causing even more frustration.I'm not trying to get into an argument here I just think that a person like yourself who has hade so much wrench time on a Honda product would appreciate Honda designing a simple tool to save you a bunch of *****ing when you pull the threads out of the motor because of over tourqing the plug.

[cyba888]

When tighting the spark plug back in, how do I know how much torque to tighten it if I dont have a special tool?

[b18c1eg]

Originally posted by Bill Fuller
I forget the price but I believe it was around $10.As for fit and design,they want you to use thier tool so you don't put a rachet and socket on the plug and over tighten it causing even more frustration.I'm not trying to get into an argument here I just think that a person like yourself who has hade so much wrench time on a Honda product would appreciate Honda designing a simple tool to save you a bunch of *****ing when you pull the threads out of the motor because of over tourqing the plug.

They don't require a special tool on their cars to prevent overtightening.

[AAAirbooorn]

Originally posted by cyba888
When tighting the spark plug back in, how do I know how much torque to tighten it if I dont have a special tool?



The manual says to tighten the plug 1/8 turn after it sets.

[JustRace]

It was a pain in the arse for me to get the spark plug out too, so I just went and spent 6 bucks (yes i got the wrench for for 6 bucks) and now its so simple a monkey could do it. You dumber than a monkey? lol:huh

[kgbg]

Tip: Use the stock tool and put a small piece of weatherstripping up inside the hole. It gets hot in there and this will grab the plug.

[250EXstud]

hardest thing to do to one. It sucks

[Bill Fuller]

Originally posted by 250EXstud
hardest thing to do to one. It sucks :tired: :ermm: :confused2