Which connections in the motor must be lubricated?
1. Exhaust system gaskets
Exhaust system gaskets with fully serviceable contact surfaces usually do not require lubrication. If a joint needs sealing, a special ceramic paste is used. For exhaust fasteners, a simple copper lubricant is effective. In the case of lambda probes, a more expensive ceramic-based lubricant can be worthwhile.
2. Ignition coils
The ends of ignition coils can stick to the candle insulators, making removal difficult and sometimes causing damage to the tips. When installing new candles, it is prudent to apply grease generously so long as it does not contact the candle tip or ignition coil contact area.
Special silicone dielectric greases are preferred, yet a small amount of regular silicone grease has not caused failures in practice and simply eases installation and disassembly.
3. Injectors and glow plugs
Diesel engines use non-stick lubricants for installing injectors and glow plugs in the cylinder head. Do not economize on this step, as there is no good alternative. Incorrect disassembly of these components can necessitate removing the cylinder head.
4. Spark plugs
A non-stick lubricant is applied directly to the spark plug threads. This helps with future removal after long use and protects the threads from corrosion.
Life hack
In automotive discussions, a common tip is that lubricating the threaded portion of spark plugs eases future unscrewing. A high-temperature lubricant is recommended. Copper or ceramic-based products can be used, with ceramic offering premium performance at a higher price point, though results are similar.
Graphite grease should not be used for this purpose because it is not sufficiently heat resistant and can leave oil residue that may burn. If there is no specialized lubricant available, improvised methods can work. One approach is to rub a simple pencil with low hardness graphite on the threaded region, then reinstall the spark plug with minimal resistance. This method is a temporary solution and may require future maintenance after many kilometers.
The simplest way to treat spark plug threads is to run a low hardness graphite pencil along the threads to reduce friction and facilitate future removal.
And in practice, the approach is practical during routine maintenance tasks.
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