Seize or no seize?

I'm about to change my spark plugs on my 323. I'm fairly handy as i've successfully done a couple diy jobs under the hood (valve cover gasket, ignition coils) so i'm not too worried about my mechanical abilities. My only question is whether I should use anti seize compound or not. I've done some reading here on the forums and elsewhere through google and some people say it's absolutely necessary while others say it isn't. What's the deal. Should I or shouldn't I?

http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/00/30/65

Does not mention anti-seize, personally I never used either so I'd say don't use.

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/product...m.asp?mode=nml
"Trivalent Metal Plating provides superior anti-corrosion and anti-seizing properties"

Bentley says to lightly lubricate the threads with a copper-based anti seize compound.

Originally Posted by jdhecker07

I'm about to change my spark plugs on my 323. I'm fairly handy as i've successfully done a couple diy jobs under the hood (valve cover gasket, ignition coils) so i'm not too worried about my mechanical abilities. My only question is whether I should use anti seize compound or not. I've done some reading here on the forums and elsewhere through google and some people say it's absolutely necessary while others say it isn't. What's the deal. Should I or shouldn't I?

Discussion has come up before...search 'anti-seize' and 'plugs' in title search.

I'm 99.99% that for some plugs yes, and others no. On ours? No.

I learned to change my BMW plugs from a guy that has 4 BMWs and he does all of the work on them. He uses a tiny bit of anti-seize on plugs, lugs, and the rotor set screw.

I've not done the plugs yet in my car, but have always used anti-seize on other cars. I figure a little bit can't hurt. Why risk a rusted-in spark plug?

Always use a sparse amount of anti seize and a torque wrench on spark plug threads.

Originally Posted by CylonRed

I learned to change my BMW plugs from a guy that has 4 BMWs and he does all of the work on them. He uses a tiny bit of anti-seize on plugs, lugs, and the rotor set screw.

never use anything on lug bolts!

install them clean and dry

This is not the first time this discussion has been held here.

I'm very certain you should technically not use it. I also know that some plugs call for it and others don't.

I also know that the torque spec changes considerably between a plug with and a plug without antiseize. You use much less torque if you put on anti-seize.

Never on lugs, ever. And never just because this is how I learned...nothing personal.

Find out for real. You've already got both possible answers here--don't just flip a coin on it. It's a fundamental thing--fact checking and getting things right.

I was always told that with aluminum heads, you need the stuff. Iron heads don't. Pretty sure ours are aluminum.

jd--my vote lands in the little dab'l do ya camp--been wrenching air-cooled vw's for years--they run hot--you have not lived until you have struggled with a hard to reach tight plug--suffice to say a tiny amount of anti-seize compound can't hurt and will most assuredly help----

I understood that the NGK Laser Platinum BKR6EQUP plugs came with a Trivalent Metal Plating, providing superior anti-corrosion and anti-seizing properties, making anti-seize unnecessary.