Spark Plug Socket - Ducati.ms

ducsbill · Jan 2nd, 2007, 11:42 am

My regular Craftsman spark plug socket won't fit over the right hand plug on the vertical cylinder on my '05 ST3. My socket fits all the others. It looks like they machined the head differently on that side and it requires a special thin-wall socket. The parts manual doesn't show any special spark plug related tools. Any suggestions?
TIA, Bill W.

bjclay · Jan 2nd, 2007, 11:57 am

I know when I had my 600 and 6000 mile service done the dealer mec. complained greatly about that. At the 6000 mile service he did something to the area around the plug and told me he was going to bill Ducati for it. Not sure what it was.
Bruce

Bill_Anderson · Jan 2nd, 2007, 12:01 pm

I thought there was something in the tool kit which came with the bike which can be used as a spark plug socket.

ducsbill · Jan 2nd, 2007, 12:17 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill_Anderson

I thought there was something in the tool kit which came with the bike which can be used as a spark plug socket.

Probably...didn't think to look. I'll look when I get home tonight.

Thanks, Bill W.

Don · Jan 2nd, 2007, 5:29 pm

On my ST4S I use a Caterpillar 5/8 single hex deep well socket (I think that these are made by Snap On & branded Cat)

Anyway these sockets have a thin wall and might be worth you looking into?

regards

dharhay · Jan 3rd, 2007, 5:10 am

Like Don said, 5/8, and get them at Sears. There is a pressed steel socket in your tool kit, like Bill mentioned. Ditch the Champion plugs and get NGK DCPR8E for $6-9.

ducsbill · Jan 3rd, 2007, 2:26 pm

I found the socket in the tool kit. It will do for now. The vertical cam belt cover is easier to remove with that plug out of the way. I also wanted to check the plugs for color. They looked pretty good, but I'll probably change them while I have everything apart this month. Would the 3 valve bikes use the same plug as the 4 or 4s?
Thanks, Bill W.

Geoff_ST_III_1 · Jan 6th, 2007, 7:16 am

Dave, what's your beef with Champion spark plugs? I suppose this is another oil debate, but curios to hear your thoughts.

ducsbill · Feb 1st, 2007, 9:47 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by dharhay

Like Don said, 5/8, and get them at Sears. There is a pressed steel socket in your tool kit, like Bill mentioned. Ditch the Champion plugs and get NGK DCPR8E for $6-9.

So that other ST3 owners don't get the wrong plug...the NGK DCPR8E is not the correct plug for an ST3. The NGK plug for the ST3 is CR9E. The threaded barrel portion of the two plugs is different. The ST3 requires a smaller diameter thread barrel with a finer thread.
Bill W.

stryder · Feb 1st, 2007, 10:22 am

You found the spark plug socket in the tool kit, and that's the one I use as all others I have are too thick to slip between the cam belt cover and the plug. On the vertical right side plug, I slip the socket over the plug, put a 12" adjustable to it perpendicularly, give it a twist to loosen, remove the wrench and socket since you'll loose clearance against the trellis as it backs out, and then take the plug out by hand. To replace, I've found using a three inch piece of fuel injection fuel line helps, ie I spray electrical contact in the end to make sure it has good grip, make sure plug insulator is also free of grease etc, slip the plug in the head so it lays there, then slip the end of the hose over it to start threading it in. Very tight to get hands in there and this works well as the FI hose is flexible, grips well and give good feed back re threading. Can't remember the ID of the hose, 5/16 maybe?