Only Bimmers

In the middle of a reinstall and bought new spark plug tubes. They are giving me a heck of a time bottoming out even lubing them. Ive tried oil & petroleum jelly on the tube ends and tube sockets on the valve cover. Still very tough and doesn't want to seat. Nothing in the way.

so anyone have a product that works better? I read an article about some Teflon stuff but i couldn't find it again.

dawid_w

I had the same problem. I used white synthetic grease. I was not able to push it in by hand. I pushed it far enough to be able to start tightening the middle bottom bolts (just a little bit).
Then I started to work on the top middle bolts. After that I slowly work my way between top and bottom (few turns at the time)
That will push the cover in place.

GL

Only Bimmers

Update : I found Teflon (PTFE) lubricant in gel form at the local pool supply store. Was just $4 and works great. Very thick so it stays on the tubes. I found that there really isn't a need to lube the lower end of the tube, just align and press in firmly. I also lubed the area where the tubes seat on the valve cover.

Again, do not use Petroleum Jelly as i did initially. It will eat away at the rubber over time. I had to undo and clean all of it up. Petroleum jelly does not like to come off anything. Even with brake cleaner. Lots of work.

bender128

Did the gap go away with time? I reassembled everything but still have a small gap between tubes and vc. Worried I traded 1 leak for another