How to clean, adjust or replace the spark plugs of a 
​Dacia (Renault) Duster ​

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  • OVERALL DIFFICULTY INDEX: 2/10
  • IF YOU HAVE NO TOOLS YOU SPEND $25 TO GET THEM FOR THIS JOB
  • IF YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE YOU SPEND 1 HOUR TO CARRY OUT THIS JOB
  • RISK OF BURNS, SEE BELOW
BEFORE YOU START
  • The below intervention should be carried out on a cold engine or after at least one hour from turning off the engine.
  • Never remove the spark plugs from a very hot engine, this could lead to a permanent damage to their threaded seats.
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Renault Duster 1.6 16V - How to access and remove the spark plugs

You need to remove the ignition coils, also known as coil-on-plugs or COPs.
Click on the below button to see how to remove, clean and insulate the COPs on the Duster.
Once done, use your ratchet wrench fitted with a size 16 metric socket to unscrew the spark plugs.
Use a magnet pick tool to remove the spark plugs and make sure to keep them in the same order than the cylinder numbers for a while. 
This is in order to inspect them as spark plugs do tell about your engine condition.
Click on the below link to learn about diagnosing an engine from the spark plugs appearance.
In this particular case, the spark plugs appear to be in an excellent condition despite having run for 20,000 Km.
The central spark plug electrode is still perfectly cylindrical.
The brown powder on the spark plugs nut of cylinders 4 and 3 denotes a corrosion resulting from the high sulfur content of the gasoline combined to a slight leak from the spark plug seal.
The decision is then taken to clean and adjust the spark plugs instead of replacing them.

Cleaning and gapping the spark plugs of a Dacia Renault Duster

​A metal wire brush will do the job in a minute.
Brush well the electrodes, the spark plug thread and ceramic insulator as well.
Before
After
Now proceed to the spark plug electrode gap adjustment using a feeler gap gauge.
Adjust the electrode gap to 0.9 mm if needed by bending the earth electrode.
You can give it a slight hit with a plastic hammer to reduce the electrode gap or bend it with long-nose pliers to open it and increase the spark plug gap.
The feeler gauge should slide with little resistance while touching both electrodes, denoting the correct gapping.
Refit the spark plugs in their seats and tighten them by hand first.
Never use the ratchet handle to screw in the spark plug, this should always be done by hand to make sure the spark plug thread and the one of its seat are well engaged.
Tighten the spark plugs to 2.5 mKg using a torque wrench.
Refit the ignition coils (COP).

See also...

Buy your Renault spark plugs here, make sure of the compatibility with your vehicle:​