How do I figure out what spark plugs I need? Clio Mk3 2010 i-Music

[Steveboy777]

So aside from pumping up tyres and changing the oil etc I've done basically no maintenance, I figured it's about time I done a bit more with this thing.

Lately I've been having issues with my engine struggling to start, shaking a lot and the fuel economy is in the toilet, all signs point towards the plugs and looking back at my service history they've not been done while I've had the car.
But I can't seem to figure out what exact plugs I need? All I can find is that the electrode gap needs to be 0.7-0.9mm but beyond that nothing is telling me exactly what to get. The book just says to ask your local dealer, I live in a pretty rural area so that's not helpful. It also said there should be a label somewhere with a bunch of details on it, I see no such thing.
I've tried putting my reg in to Halfords and a couple other sites and they all suggest a variety of different plugs that have different measurements, which obviously can't be right.

Got a socket wrench that should be fine but mainly I'm wondering:

1. Should I just yank one of the plugs out and hope it still has clear numbers and such on it?
2. Should I go ahead and change all of them at this point or just check if one or more in particular seem damaged/worn and just change that?
3. Do I really need to bother with a torque wrench?


I've looked at a ton of different tutorials and such and for whatever reason my exact engine never seems to come up so figuring this out has been awkward, attached a picture for reference. I think getting the plugs in and out will be easy enough doesn't seem too hard a job but I just can't find a clear answer on what plugs I'll even need.

 

[Mr Trailer Man]

Cars & Light Commercial | NGK Partfinder

www.ngkpartfinder.co.uk

 

[Steveboy777]

Cars & Light Commercial | NGK Partfinder

www.ngkpartfinder.co.uk

Will these all definitely be okay in my car or do I need to do some further checking?

 

[Rob]

Will these all definitely be okay in my car or do I need to do some further checking?

Stick reg into euro car parts, order plugs, sorted?

 

[Steveboy777]

Stick reg into euro car parts, order plugs, sorted?

It's hard to tell because it says "Compatible with some RENAULT Clio – please check fitment details to ensure it is correct for your vehicle’s specification."

I have absolutely no idea what kind of thread depth nor thread size I need, nor what a spark position even is. Owners manual doesn't say anything about any of this. Every time I enter my reg in one of these sites I get a variety of all different sizes never seems to get anything that's definitely for my car.

 

[Rob]

It's hard to tell because it says "Compatible with some RENAULT Clio – please check fitment details to ensure it is correct for your vehicle’s specification."

I have absolutely no idea what kind of thread depth nor thread size I need, nor what a spark position even is. Owners manual doesn't say anything about any of this. Every time I enter my reg in one of these sites I get a variety of all different sizes never seems to get anything that's definitely for my car.

Ok, what engine is the car?

Also, to answer your initial question, yes change all four. Never just one.

If the problems you are describe continue, or even get worse, then it could well be the coil pack, new plugs will likely magnify that.

 

[Steveboy777]

Ok, what engine is the car?

Also, to answer your initial question, yes change all four. Never just one.

If the problems you are describe continue, or even get worse, then it could well be the coil pack, new plugs will likely magnify that.

It's a 1.2 not sure what else is relevant, it's one of these anyway: https://www.parkers.co.uk/renault/clio/hatchback-2005/12-16v-i-music-3d/specs/

I didn't even consider the coils guess I'll check those at the same time. Had it in my local garage a couple times and they kept saying it must be bad fuel from a local station but I stopped going there for months and used fuel cleaner so I think that was bogus.

Sounds like it could be either the coils or the plugs since the symptoms seem the same for both.

 

[Rob]

It's a 1.2 not sure what else is relevant, it's one of these anyway: https://www.parkers.co.uk/renault/clio/hatchback-2005/12-16v-i-music-3d/specs/

I didn't even consider the coils guess I'll check those at the same time. Had it in my local garage a couple times and they kept saying it must be bad fuel from a local station but I stopped going there for months and used fuel cleaner so I think that was bogus.

Sounds like it could be either the coils or the plugs since the symptoms seem the same for both.

These should be absolutely fine:

Bosch Nickel - VR8SC+ | Euro Car Parts

Bosch Nickel - VR8SC+ at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.

www.eurocarparts.com

0.9mm looks to be the ideal gap for the 1.2 16v with a single electrode plug, which these are.

A torque wrench isn’t strictly necessary but you don’t sound as though you’ve done a lot of this before, so may be advisable as you don’t want to just fully send it and strip the thread… be incredibly careful not to cross thread either. Preferably, grab a pal who’s good with spanners to go through it with you.

 

[Steveboy777]

These should be absolutely fine:

Bosch Nickel - VR8SC+ | Euro Car Parts

Bosch Nickel - VR8SC+ at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.

www.eurocarparts.com

0.9mm looks to be the ideal gap for the 1.2 16v with a single electrode plug, which these are.

A torque wrench isn’t strictly necessary but you don’t sound as though you’ve done a lot of this before, so may be advisable as you don’t want to just fully send it and strip the thread… be incredibly careful not to cross thread either. Preferably, grab a pal who’s good with spanners to go through it with you.

Cheers I'll bookmark that one! Will have a look at the plugs when it stops snowing here.

My mothers partner is a fairly experienced mechanic so he should be able to help with anything I have issues with was just aiming to do most of the job myself. I'm usually decent at practical things when it comes down to it I just fuss over not having the details I need. Coil pack sounds like a bit of a more awkward job guess I'll get it in the garage for that if I can spot any obvious problems there.

Given how oily the engine is I imagine that's seeped in to where the plugs are maybe a good clean is all it's really needing, unlikely but I can hope. Car is approaching 80k miles so makes sense things are worn anyway. Thanks for your help!

 

[Rob]

Cheers I'll bookmark that one! Will have a look at the plugs when it stops snowing here.

My mothers partner is a fairly experienced mechanic so he should be able to help with anything I have issues with was just aiming to do most of the job myself. I'm usually decent at practical things when it comes down to it I just fuss over not having the details I need. Coil pack sounds like a bit of a more awkward job guess I'll get it in the garage for that if I can spot any obvious problems there.

Given how oily the engine is I imagine that's seeped in to where the plugs are maybe a good clean is all it's really needing, unlikely but I can hope. Car is approaching 80k miles so makes sense things are worn anyway. Thanks for your help!

Coil pack should be an easy job also, seeing as you have to remove the leads from the plug wells to get to the plugs, should just be a case of removing the plug etc and swapping it out.

I’d just do the plus first and see what’s what, if it persists do the coil pack, and then you’re left with injectors.. which at that mileage it could be.

When you have the leads out for the plugs, check the condition of the end of them. You may find one literally falls apart ontop of the plug and that may be your issue. Seen that a lot

 

[npt]

Buy a Haynes manual if you've not got a clue, it'll help you no end to get started

 

[Mr Trailer Man]

Will these all definitely be okay in my car or do I need to do some further checking?

Find the relevant engine and it will tell you the correct one.

Guessing it's 1.2 non turbo? In which case it will be the NGK LZKAR7B