Iridium spark Plugs, Autolite XS4162. Can someone tell me if they found an thin walled18mm socket?

I would think that the plug is the same as the GS which takes a 16mm socket.

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Thanks for your reply, I checked with Autolite and they say 18mm. (I did try a 16mm, though, no luck)

I took a deep socket to task at the grinder years ago and made my own “custom” thin-walled spark plug socket which I’ve used ever since. Was not difficult. I realize that if you do not have a grinder, that info is of little use, but just in case I thought I’d mention it.


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CSipkin said:

Thanks for your reply, I checked with Autolite and they say 18mm. (I did try a 16mm, though, no luck)

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Well the tunnel is designed for a 16mm plug and given the small bore you will never find a 18mm socket that will fit. You bought the wrong plug.

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mcwhirtj said:

I took a deep socket to task at the grinder years ago and made my own “custom” thin-walled spark plug socket which I’ve used ever since. Was not difficult. I realize that if you do not have a grinder, that info is of little use, but just in case I thought I’d mention it.


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Thanks, I thought that would be a tough one being that sockets are made of hardened steel. I don't have a grinder, but if it were easy, I have a friend who has one.

bmwroadsterca said:

Well the tunnel is designed for a 16mm plug and given the small bore you will never find a 18mm socket that will fit. You bought the wrong plug.

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Thanks for getting back. If that's the case, I have a bigger problem-getting those plugs out, oof.

Have you looked at Amazon for a long thin-wall spark plug socket? I recently bought one for my R1200RS and they had a number of them, including a bunch of coil remover tools.

Solved! (partially). Since I haven't found a 18mm socket that will fit down the spark plug hole, I have decided to go with a different plug, either the NGK iridium (if they utilize the 16mm socket wrench) or an OEM plug. Thank you bmwroadsterca for your info. I had put in these autolite plugs partially using a rubber hose to guide it down, then when I went to put in the thin walled 18mm socket to tighten, socket would not go down the hole. This morning I took the 16mm thin walled magnetic socket put a couple of surgiclal glove fingers on the end of it and used it to unscrew and pull out the autolite plugs, phew!!!

Richard230 said:

Have you looked at Amazon for a long thin-wall spark plug socket? I recently bought one for my R1200RS and they had a number of them, including a bunch of coil remover tools.

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Hi Richard,
Thank you, yes, I did. Could not find the 18mm in thin walled that fit down the hole. In fact, I purchased that size, "thin walled" but it just was not thin enough. The more I think about it, the better a thin walled 16mm (oem) sounds. If I were to get the 18mm in, it would be a headache for someone in the future if I ever sold the bike. I did get the coil remover tool!

I suggest the NGK DCPR 8 EIX.

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bmwroadsterca said:

I suggest the NGK DCPR 8 EIX.

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Ordered!
Thanks

Working in the automotive repair industry, specifically BMWs and other German marques, I’d stay far away from Autolite plugs, they’re junk. Stick with factory plugs or NGK (the OE supplier for BMW).