Gapping spark plugs: My experience

[Genie47]

OK I had these PZFR6 since my car hit 12,000km. Now I have covered 77,000km.

 

I recently bought a spark plug gap tool from Ariestools courtesy of Yeobh who runs the outfit on eBay.sg

 

I have not gapped these plugs before taking for granted they are pre-gapped as they should be. They are from Vtim and I got them for steal at $4/plug and they are double platinum plugs.

 

Results are as follows:

 

Plug 1: 0.1mm under gapped

Plug 2: 0.1mm under gapped

Plug 3: 0.1mm over gapped

Plug 4: 0.1mm over gapped

 

Corrected them already to my engine's requirement which is 1.1mm gap.

 

Now since these are double platinum plugs, I doubt they have worn so much to be 0.1mm over gapped in plugs 3 and 4 because plugs 1 and 2 are under-gapped. Chances are that they are already over and under gapped when they were installed.

 

My advice to DIYers. Check your plug's gapping before installing them. Even though the ignition systems' of todays cars are powerful sporting COP and DIS, keeping them properly gapped will see better performance.

 

PS: I don't have a picture of the plugs but the sides from the platinum tip has worn off except for the platinum tip. So the tip has a "fine iridium" conical tip look to it now compared to when I first had them with the flat tops.

Edited July 9, 2006 by Genie47

[Falc]

I always gap my plugs too.

 

One question

Is the right way to get 1.1mm gapping by

1. making sure 1.1mm on the tool is the max that can be inserted, or

2. 1.1mm on the tool is the minimum that CANNOT be inserted.

 

I have mech telling me 2 is right but never gotten round to verifying it.

[Yeobh]

Thanx for the free advertisement , I hope admin will not come in to " brown" it out.

 

Many including mechnics reckon that since today cars are all computer managed, gapping is the thing of the past. In fact with higher engine speeds ,fuel burning power na very precise firing timing, gapping spark plugs has become more of the important it you want a "smooth" high speed driving.

[Yeobh]

1.1mm on the tool, the spark should be able to slide in and out with resistance ( mechanics call it good fit)

Edited July 9, 2006 by Yeobh

[Kb27]

I bought OWS iridium and found 2 out of 4 gap were not correct, I have to fix that too.

Then I bought Denso iridium and was surprised that all 4 were gapped accurately.

I guess this tells about the quality control.

[Genie47]

You should not gap fine Ir tip plugs. You will damage the tips. Denso will make sure they are gapped correctly.

[Falc]

Thanks for the verification.

[Trex101]

  Quote

OK I had these PZFR6 since my car hit 12,000km. Now I have covered 77,000km.

 

I recently bought a spark plug gap tool from Ariestools courtesy of Yeobh who runs the outfit on eBay.sg

 

I have not gapped these plugs before taking for granted they are pre-gapped as they should be. They are from Vtim and I got them for steal at $4/plug and they are double platinum plugs.

 

Results are as follows:

 

Plug 1: 0.1mm under gapped

Plug 2: 0.1mm under gapped

Plug 3: 0.1mm over gapped

Plug 4: 0.1mm over gapped

 

Corrected them already to my engine's requirement which is 1.1mm gap.

 

Now since these are double platinum plugs, I doubt they have worn so much to be 0.1mm over gapped in plugs 3 and 4 because plugs 1 and 2 are under-gapped. Chances are that they are already over and under gapped when they were installed.

 

My advice to DIYers. Check your plug's gapping before installing them. Even though the ignition systems' of todays cars are powerful sporting COP and DIS, keeping them properly gapped will see better performance.

 

PS: I don't have a picture of the plugs but the sides from the platinum tip has worn off except for the platinum tip. So the tip has a "fine iridium" conical tip look to it now compared to when I first had them with the flat tops.

 

Hi Genie, got a picture of the gapping tool?

I normally use those feeler gauge to test the actual gap and light tapping(lower gap) or long nose piler(increase gap) if i want to change the gap.

[Genie47]

As pictured. It is a Kastar EZ Grip.

[Cyberet]

read this advise too late.. i broke one OWS plug

 

anyway after doing ~40k km, the OWS gap went from 1.1mm to 1.2mm

Edited July 9, 2006 by Cyberet

[Incom]

Actually alot of workshops took the factory gapping for granted, even for those reputable workshops.

 

Recently just went for my 60K servicing, brought my own engine and purchase the spark plugs from the workshop.

 

When the mech is about to install the plugs, i request to check the gapping first before installed.

 

Reply: "No need lar, factory gap liao. Unless they are being dropped on the floor before. See i took them out from box"

 

Thanks for thread to remind me to check and re-gap the plugs when free.

 

Cheers

[Cyberet]

replaced my spitfire with copper denso plugs that i just regapped to 1mm. works great with 92oct

 

dumping my ows plugs into the bin anyway broken one of them, so left 3 only

[Genie47]

Finally dumped yours for coppers, eh?

 

Better? I think the most can last 20k. You got to keep the gap checked at every 10k. With CNG, they are reputed to last 30k if you reduce the gap size by 0.2mm.

[Cyberet]

yeap, finally dumped them for coppers

butt dyno feels better

 

will check the gap during every oil change. gave them a 0.1mm allowance, as manual calls for 1.0mm ~ 1.1mm, i gap them to 1mm.

 

as for CNG conversion, i'm waiting

[Gadgeter]

bought mine from you for almost a year now... Been using it since.

[Yeobh]

At that time just trying out ebay, even once for few months the bid price was one$ no taker.

Yes i still remember you collected yours at near to 6pm on the meet-up day at my place.

I have stop meet-up/self collection, the simple reasons are - it is time consuming, many just don't turn up, some came to look see look see only, there are few who came hopefully to draw me into troubleshooting thier rids problem.

[Gadgeter]

I see,.... Do PM me if you have any more gadgets.

[Yeobh]

Have stop sedning out annoucement mails since early this month as many customers are just not too happy receiving them.Few have email to F@#K me off. So for those who want to be keep inform, pl go to my ebay store and sign-in for regular free subcription.

Hope this helps