My neighbor, a “hack mechanic/jimmy rigger”, said not to use magnetic spark plug sockets because….

my neighbor who is a master of misinformation, (same guy from my other thread who told me to forget about changing my O2 because at worst, I’m only losing one MPG per day of driving that the cost doesn’t justify buying them)…. And oh, You should hear some of the “advice” hes given me in the past. Like spraying down a squeaky belt with WD40. Or jumping on the lug nut wrench to tighten down my lug nuts to make sure they are “good and tight, don’t want the wheel falling off” (correct spec is 83ft lb, and he weighs at least double that)… oh I have many many more stories

Anyways, I usually never listen to advice once I figured out just how much of a hack he his, as a self proclaimed “shade tree mechanic” but…

He was telling me today to never use magnetic spark plug sockets because it can throw off the balance of the metal inside of the spark plug. And although usually I don’t listen to him, I do know that taking a magnet to metal can and will change the metal to being magnetized/Demagnetized. he said that I wasted my money on that socket and it’s just another way for big corporations to get inside my pocketbook at the cost of doing things the wrong way.

I thought I would come here and ask the real professionals on whether or not I’m making a mistake on using a magnetic spark plug socket.

 

Your neighbor is a clown.

 

I wasn't aware that you could magnetize an aluminum can ...........

 

Probably the same "mechanic" from the other thread that concluded a leaky tire was the cause for an electrical draw

 

I’ve heard a lot in my days but that takes the cake.

 

Oh where is that thread. I need some toilet reading material.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/our-1st-toyota.157089/#post-3894966

 

Oh if you think that’s bad you should just hear what all this guy has said in the past. And he’s a nice guy, I hate it for him, but being nice doesn’t mean your not an idiot

 

You're being very kind.

 

I personally have never heard of or have seen a magnetic spark plug socket. Every one that I have encountered in my life of 40+ years of wrenching on cars and changing countless spark plugs, has a rubber insert that gently hugs the porcelain portion of the plug.

 

I've seen/had both. Prefer the rubber insert.

 

Well they definitely (?just started?) make them. I own one and am excited to use it…
also, to use or not to use dielectric grease on the spark plug/boot? Half the videos i watch use it, the other half don’t. What should I do? (Im still a beginner, but all the Toyota videos never use the dielectric grease, but then I watched Chris fix change spark plugs and he used it and I usually trust what he says… maybe Toyotas are different in this case???)

 

Again, 40+ years and never. If your boots are in good shape, it's a non-issue.

 

That’s awesome.

 

Little grease won’t hurt, same with a tiny bit of antiseeze on the upper thread part. Now if too much of either is used problems can happen.

 

He must own a Renault. They "supposedly" had a warning about not using a magnetic spark plug removal tool on some of their engines but I haven't seen an official posting. More hearsay than anything.

 

20+ years and I’ve never used it and no issues. I’m also the guy that puts a little anti-seize on spark plugs and has never had an issue.

 

Some people are just eat up with stupid.

 

Can't fix stupid.

 

You should jot all these pearls of wisdom down somewhere.

 

Same guy votes for president, right?

 

Grain of salt for Rigger.

Nothing wrong with magnetic spark plug sockey nor with the too many ole timey spark plug sockets I have with rubber insert. Magnetic works better for me with my 04 now a days….different strokes 4 different folks

 

can we just merge all of OPs threads into one big pile of ???

 

I think he was referring to German torque values on your lug nuts. “ gut en tite”.

 

April Fool's was last Tuesday, not today.

 

Not even with duct tape (but it does help muffle the sound)

 

Red Green.."Duct Tape Forever" is Oscar category....

 

My 2 cents. I use a standard spark plug socket to remove the spark plugs. You know with the rubber.
Then I pull out the rubber plug and use a piece of rubber hose that fits on top of the spark plug then thread it by hand to start the plug then with the rubber plug off I tighten up the plug.

 

my new thread is a completely different topic. Creating a new thread for a new topic creates a better flow for conversation and helps keep good information organized and complied for the next person who is doing research. Someone might have the same question I just asked, but if the information was in my other thread, they might end up either having a hard time finding the specific info, or just skip the thread altogether under the guise that the thread title has nothing to do with said question.

why are you upset with people creating new threads? If you don’t enjoy the conversation you don’t have to click on it.

not only that, but the search function on this site is terrible, and doesn’t exactly list the best information at the top, rather it just lists the most recent based on the key words they typed in the search bar.

I genuinely don’t think you understand what the point of a forum is. If no one was aloud to ask questions that have been discussed in the past, there would eventually come a day this website would die off with no new threads ever being created, because “we’ve already discussed this just search for it”

I love this place and enjoy my new friends, I’ll always make new threads when I have a new question because I enjoy the fresh conversation with fresh opinions and takes.

 

Magnetism will not occur if you get a really Good Witch Doctor to cast a spell first - then all will be Good.