So if there are variances out the box in your set of plugs, although you would like them all identical, consider carefully before using the (correct) gapping tool. One slip onto the centre electrode and you must throw out that plug, which is very tough for a RFD'er. So if out of the box they are all the same gap but 2 thou' out, I would say leave them as is.Īdjustment of iridium or platinum plugs has to be made with great care. Even if your (unmodified) car specifies an exact gap, such as 0.032 with no reference to a +/. This should tell you that that some leeway is O.K. manufacturers often specify the plug gap as 0.0nn +/. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.Macnut wrote: ↑Auto. If you've had a hard time with a hard-to-reach plug, get some rest before taking on additional work.And take comfort in the fact that, next time, the job should be a breeze.įrom Auto Repair for Dummies, copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana. When you're done, start your engine to prove to yourself that everything still works. Unless, of course, they have two plugs in each cylinder. It's at times like these that owners of 4-cylinder cars have the edge on those who drive those big, expensive 8-cylinder monsters. Repeat the steps to remove, read, gap, and install each spark plug. Don't you feel terrific? Now you have only three, five, or seven more to do, depending on your engine.Ĩ. You've just cleaned, gapped, and installed your first spark plug. Before you attach the boot to the spark plug, apply some silicone lubricant to the inside of the boot then push the boot over the exposed terminal of the new plug and press it firmly into place. If the cable appears cracked, brittle, or frayed or is saturated with oil, have it replaced.ħ. Take a look at the spark plug cable before attaching its boot to the plug. Tighten and loosen the first plug once or twice to get the proper feel of the thing.Ħ. The plug should stick a little when you try to loosen it, but you should be able to loosen it again without straining yourself. Don't over-tighten the plug (you can crack the porcelain) just get it in nice and tight with no wiggle. Slip the spark plug socket over the spark plug, attach the ratchet handle, and continue turning the plug clockwise until you meet resistance. After you engage the plug by hand, turn it at least two full turns before utilizing the spark plug socket and ratchet.ĥ. Or, you can use just about anything you can wrap around or slip over the plug top, including an old spark plug wire boot, a finger cut from a vinyl glove, an old piece of thin plastic tubing, or a piece of vacuum hose.Ĥ. If you have trouble holding onto the plug, you can buy a spark plug starter and fit it over the plug. This is called "seating the plug." You have to do it by hand or you run the risk of starting the plug crooked and ruining the threads on the plugor the threads in the spark plug hole in the engine. All testing and servicing of these systems should be left to trained professionals because they're easily damaged if hooked up improperly, and they employ high voltage that can also damage you. Most cars built after 1975 have electronic ignition systems that require no regular servicing. Carefully begin threading the spark plug into the engine by hand, turning it clockwise. Lightly coat the threads of the spark plug with a dab of oil from the oil dipstick, being careful not to get any on the center or side electrodes.ģ. Wipe away from the hole don't shove any dirt into it.Ģ. Clean the spark plug hole in the cylinder block with a clean, lint-free cloth. To insert a spark plug into the engine, follow these steps:ġ. Everyone I know goes through the "too large–too small–too large" bit a couple of times for each plug, especially the perfectionists.Īfter you're done gapping your spark plug, it's time to insert it in the engine. If you keep adjusting the gap too narrow or too wide, don't feel bad. You want the gauge to go through fairly easily, just catching the electrodes as it passes. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until the gap is just right. Press the side electrode very gently against a clean, marproof surface until it's slightly bent down toward the center electrode.ĥ. If the gauge goes through too easily without touching the electrodes, the gap is wide. Hook the part of the feeler gauge that's used for bending electrodes under the side electrode and tug very gently to widen the gap. If the wire didn't go through, the gap is too narrow.
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