Spark Plug Gap Gauge

[JayL]

How do we use these tools? Are they more effective than the wire types?


http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.co...A-3D57-4896-B2CC-BD2EA530E158}/qx/product.htm

http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.co...A-3D57-4896-B2CC-BD2EA530E158}/qx/product.htm

tks

 

[merlin]

No, they are not more accurate. But they are easier. You put the thin portion in the gap and slide the plug around to the right number. The remove it. Then check again, and slide a little more, because the ground arm will spring back some. the wire type are better, and the plier type is supposed to be the best, but for most diy'ers, either the wire or this one will do. If you are working on a performance motor, you will probably have a better gapper anyway, and be indexing the plugs. These little tools are sometimes given away at parts stores.

Hope that helps some,
Billy

 

[paramudduck]

I have one of the lisle style on my key ring. Each of the 4x4's has one in the tool kit.
I got a hand full of them when one of the parts stores was closing in this area. They aren't super accurate but they can get a veicle running good enough to make it to the barn.

 

[peter_x]

I have one of those hanging on my keychain, but it's all dented up now.

 

[JayL]

No, they are not more accurate. But they are easier. You put the thin portion in the gap and slide the plug around to the right number. The remove it. Then check again, and slide a little more, because the ground arm will spring back some. the wire type are better, and the plier type is supposed to be the best, but for most diy'ers, either the wire or this one will do. If you are working on a performance motor, you will probably have a better gapper anyway, and be indexing the plugs. These little tools are sometimes given away at parts stores.

Hope that helps some,
Billy

What plier type? Can you please show me this one or probably a link to it. I searched and searched for plug gapping tools but have not come across this type.

tks .....

 

[ImportTuner]

What plier type? Can you please show me this one or probably a link to it. I searched and searched for plug gapping tools but have not come across this type.

tks .....

I have a older Lisle plier gapper which was great and a newer (Brand X) which is similar to the one in the picture .. not as great ..

 

[toolfreak]

The wire type are more accurate, I haven't used the pliers so can't comment on them. I would like to try them thought.

 

[Papawswrench]

The wire type are more accurate, IF KEPT CLEAN!
The disc type make it easier to just get close enough, and make the mechanic fail to be exact on the gap, in my opinion.

 

[Merkava_4]

I don't use those sorry *** suckers; I use the wire type that are bent with an 'L' on the end. KD Tools makes good ones and so does Craftsman.

 

[speed bump]

I like the Plier type personally becuase they are quick and easy. Usually I double check everything with a feeler guage afterword so it doesn't matter which tool I use the results are the same.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I don't use those sorry *** suckers; I use the wire type that are bent with an 'L' on the end. KD Tools makes good ones and so does Craftsman.

There he goes again


I was afraid he was going to break out about using a Chinese girls pubic hair.

 

[wrenchr]

I have a blue point and it is more accurate!!! lol

 

[kartracer23]

I use a .26 gap on my kart. I start off with the coin type to get it close and pry it open, and then a wire gauge for the final check. Since the wire gauge has a .25, I need to set it so it just barely gets through without hanging up.

 

[JayL]

I usually need only 1.1mm for spark plug gaps. I can't seem to find ( online) a gap tool in metric from the US vendors I buy from.

 

[DavidtheDuke]

I can't find it at the moment, but SO has a great gapper that isn't a disc but a "ramp" with metric and standard on either side, and a little pry-tool to help gap it without using the ramp to expand the gap. It's around $5 too, great little tool.

 

[l_bilyk]

The wire type are better

 

[eschoendorff]

I have and use both. I have never really noticed much difference between the two...

All my plugs seem to fire just fine.

I can see where the wire type would be more consistent. That coin type is a constant graduated scale... and there's no guarantee that the stamped markings are in the right spot...

 

[paramudduck]

On my 74 CJ5 I can tell a difference when I use a wire compared to the coin. On the blazers I can't really see any difference.
But like I implied above as an emergency tool they are handy to get in the ball park. A lot of times I will do as was mentioned above and rough it in with the coin then fine check with a wire. But as I keep saying I'm retired so I can take all the time I want to!

 

[Elroy]

QUOTE=kartracer23;261580]I use a .26 gap on my kart. I start off with the coin type to get it close and pry it open, and then a wire gauge for the final check. Since the wire gauge has a .25, I need to set it so it just barely gets through without hanging up.[/QUOTE]

.25 ? That is a Mitty big gap you got there. Maybe you missed the leading zero. Because .25 is a "quarter". Elroy might believe .025"

Even if you were metric .25 mm would only be .0098 inch which Elroy also finds hard to buy.

The most important thing about spark plugs gaps is maintaining the electrodes parallel to each other and having sharp edges. That is the biggest thing that causes a plug to be considered worn out. That and contaminated insulators.

Elroy uses a flat feeler gauge to inspect for non parallel electrodes. Wires however do allow you to to inspect for cupped electrodes. But if they're cupped they need to be filed or replaced and filed plugs ****!

OOOh lets talk about them great Bosch triple platinum plugs. NOT

If Elroy hears the first crack of Bull **** about spark plugs look to get one broke off in your ***.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Never had to gap a plug in my life. They're pre-gapped when i buy them. I clean them if they're covered in carbon or oil, but otherwise replace them.

OOOh lets talk about them great Bosch triple platinum plugs. NOT

The whole 2/3/4 electrode thing is a load of ****. No plug needs more than one electrode, especially since electricity takes the route of least resistance, so they only ever spark off one electrode at once anyway.

My friend's BMW kept getting misfires constantly when we put Bosch 4-electrode Platinums in. Went and get her some single-electrode ones and put them in and it ran perfect.

Or as my friend would say "Sweet like a lemon"

 

[speed bump]

The whole 2/3/4 electrode thing is a load of ****. No plug needs more than one electrode, especially since electricity takes the route of least resistance, so they only ever spark off one electrode at once anyway.

My friend's BMW kept getting misfires constantly when we put Bosch 4-electrode Platinums in. Went and get her some single-electrode ones and put them in and it ran perfect.

Or as my friend would say "Sweet like a lemon"

You are mistaken when you say it would only need 1 electrode becuase electricity takes the path of least resistance. Electricity takes all paths available to it, even if most of it goes down the path of least resistance. Also if you have a multiple electrode spark then you should have multiple paths of equal or close to equal resistance in which the electricity will somewhat evenly split to take. Multiple electrode spark plugs can be a great thing on a powerful ignition with a difficult to combust fuel becuase you will increase the spark available to cause combustion. However on a not so great ignition instead of having one great spark you end up with multiple parallel resistances that create an overall lower resistance which requires a higher amperage that the ignition might not provide so satisfactorily.

Personally I have only heard of multiple electrode spark plugs being commoly used on small airplane engines and that might even be different now.

 

[ToolGlutton]

BTW, how do you guys think of the Bosch double and quadruple platinum plugs. Someone told me that they actually are not good because they distort firing.

OOOh lets talk about them great Bosch triple platinum plugs. NOT

 

[eschoendorff]

The whole 2/3/4 electrode thing is a load of ****. No plug needs more than one electrode, especially since electricity takes the route of least resistance, so they only ever spark off one electrode at once anyway.

My friend's BMW kept getting misfires constantly when we put Bosch 4-electrode Platinums in. Went and get her some single-electrode ones and put them in and it ran perfect.

I have heard this is teh case with C4 Corvettes too - they don't seem to like the Bosch multi-prongers. I use NGK or Delco Rapidfires...

And Elroy, I couldn't agree with you more! If a plug is to the point where it will take me more than 30 sec to dress the electrodes with a file, then I toss it and put a new one in. Spark plugs are cheap....

 

[eschoendorff]

You are mistaken when you say it would only need 1 electrode becuase electricity takes the path of least resistance. Electricity takes all paths available to it, even if most of it goes down the path of least resistance. Also if you have a multiple electrode spark then you should have multiple paths of equal or close to equal resistance in which the electricity will somewhat evenly split to take. Multiple electrode spark plugs can be a great thing on a powerful ignition with a difficult to combust fuel becuase you will increase the spark available to cause combustion. However on a not so great ignition instead of having one great spark you end up with multiple parallel resistances that create an overall lower resistance which requires a higher amperage that the ignition might not provide so satisfactorily.

Personally I have only heard of multiple electrode spark plugs being commoly used on small airplane engines and that might even be different now.

In a typical automotive ignition system, a single electrode is all that is necessary. Any more is simply marketing hype.

 

[jay50]

Never had to gap a plug in my life. They're pre-gapped when i buy them. I clean them if they're covered in carbon or oil, but otherwise replace them.




The whole 2/3/4 electrode thing is a load of ****. No plug needs more than one electrode, especially since electricity takes the route of least resistance, so they only ever spark off one electrode at once anyway.

My friend's BMW kept

getting misfires constantly when we put Bosch 4-electrode Platinums in. Went and get her some single-electrode ones and put them in and it ran perfect.

Or as my friend would say "Sweet like a lemon"

You shouldn't let that get out; those plugs bring me some good easy gravey money into my shop. I like it when those mutiple electrodes and spitfires are being used and the misfires and drivability problems they cause....

 

[eschoendorff]

You shouldn't let that get out; those plugs bring me some good easy gravey money into my shop. I like it when those mutiple electrodes and spitfires are being used and the misfires and drivability problems they cause....

 

[gotmud13613]

I worked in a part store for years, i couldn't believe how many suckers there are out there that will pay $10 + for one plug

 

[jay50]

, well, I do fix their problem when they use these POS plugs, so it is not like I am screwing them out of money.....

 

[nissan_crawler]

THose bosch plugs are VERY well known to break off in cylinder heads. I stick to NGK. I wouldn't run Autolite if you paid me.

As for pre-gapped, yes most plugs come "pre-gapped", which is fine..assuming they did it right the first time, and the box of them has never been dropped. I have seen "pre-gapped" plugs that were quite a bit off. I have a wire one, and the coin type. I always use the coin. If I check it with the wire one, it's dead on, and it's twice as quick.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I worked in a part store for years, i couldn't believe how many suckers there are out there that will pay $10 + for one plug

THe plugs for my pickup are $19 each. I can't wait until that neds to be done.

 

[eschoendorff]

THose bosch plugs are VERY well known to break off in cylinder heads. I stick to NGK. I wouldn't run Autolite if you paid me.

As for pre-gapped, yes most plugs come "pre-gapped", which is fine..assuming they did it right the first time, and the box of them has never been dropped. I have seen "pre-gapped" plugs that were quite a bit off. I have a wire one, and the coin type. I always use the coin. If I check it with the wire one, it's dead on, and it's twice as quick.

I always double check the "pre-gap." It only takes a few second and saves future headaches...

 

[eschoendorff]

THe plugs for my pickup are $19 each. I can't wait until that neds to be done.

What the hell kind of pickup do you have that needs $19 plugs?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

You are mistaken when you say it would only need 1 electrode becuase electricity takes the path of least resistance. Electricity takes all paths available to it, even if most of it goes down the path of least resistance. Also if you have a multiple electrode spark then you should have multiple paths of equal or close to equal resistance in which the electricity will somewhat evenly split to take. Multiple electrode spark plugs can be a great thing on a powerful ignition with a difficult to combust fuel becuase you will increase the spark available to cause combustion. However on a not so great ignition instead of having one great spark you end up with multiple parallel resistances that create an overall lower resistance which requires a higher amperage that the ignition might not provide so satisfactorily.

Personally I have only heard of multiple electrode spark plugs being commoly used on small airplane engines and that might even be different now.

Interesting, didn't know that.

But i'm not sure that a 1.4-litre VW polo needs plugs with two electrodes. It's hardly "powerful".

 

[nissan_crawler]

What the hell kind of pickup do you have that needs $19 plugs?

Nissan Titan. The plugs are Iridium.

 

[scofo]

Does Iridiuim come from Uranus?

 

[paramudduck]

Or is it a Satellite phone? Or even a Jazz Club on the plug?

 

[DiStOrTiOn]

I spent about 12 bucks each on some NGK iriduims for my mitsubishi lancer. I was told by a few different people that that's what the car really wanted. Not that it wouldnt run on the cheapos, but that it would run better with the iridiums. Lets just say im glad i only have 4 plugs.

 

[Merkava_4]

I can't believe this thread is still going; do you guys want me to snap a photo of a spark plug gap gauge?

 

[eschoendorff]

Nissan Titan. The plugs are Iridium.

Is Iridium anything like unobtainium?

 

[bmwpower]

I use a Bosch tool for all my plugs.