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Home / How to Read a Spark Plug Gapper

How to Read a Spark Plug Gapper

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A properly gapped spark plug is necessary for a properly functioning engine. The gap size affects the spark plug'south firing temperature, which has a straight relationship to the combustion of fuel and air in the engine. Opening the gaps provides a larger spark, useful for some customized engines in maximizing the efficiency. You can learn to properly gap spark plugs by measuring and adjusting accordingly.

  1. 1

    Learn your vehicle'southward gap specifications. Whether you're shopping for new plugs, you only bought new plugs that yous desire to check earlier installing, or you lot want to check the function of your current prepare of spark plugs, yous need to larn the appropriate gap between the two electrodes on the terminate of each plug.

    • Each vehicle'southward measurement will exist different, though most are generally somewhere between 0.028-.06 inch. You can either look in your owner's manual or get to the machine parts store and have them expect it up for you.
    • Modified engines require smaller gap settings to business relationship for the corporeality of power you're putting through the engine. Full general rule of pollex: the more power, the smaller the gap.

  2. 2

    Select an appropriate gap tool. There are several varieties of tools used to measure the gaps of spark plugs, some of which are more appropriate for more modern plugs, which sometimes feature delicate precious metals. Most measuring tools will besides feature a apartment edge typically used for angle the bottom electrode on the spark plug to conform the gap slightly.[1]

    • A money-style gap mensurate is commonly the cheapest option, and works past running the border of the "coin" through the gap until you attain a point where information technology stops. The border is marked similar a ruler, designating the thickness of the border at that betoken. This is a good tool for older plugs you desire to bank check the efficacy of, merely tin can also inadvertently widen the gaps equally you utilise it.
    • A wire money gap works essentially the same way every bit the regular money-style gap, merely features different wire measures of varying lengths on the edge around the coin.
    • A blade-style feeler gauge is an constructive and versatile tool. Built like a pocket-knife, this judge features different blades of varying widths, some with wire on the end and some without, placed in the gap to check the spacing of the electrodes. You lot can too use multiple blades to measure larger gaps. These are effective to use while adjusting.

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  3. 3

    Clean the spark plug . If you've only pulled it out of the box, information technology should be in pretty good shape, merely if you're checking a plug that you've been using in your car it's a good idea to clean information technology off a piffling with a make clean material. Spark plugs can build up some whitish soot on the contact points, so you lot'll want to make sure they're somewhat clean to get the most accurate reading.[2]

    • You tin employ a fiddling bit of quick-drying (xc%) alcohol on the contact points to clean them off if they're peculiarly dirty.[three] Lots of build-up or any blackening on the contact points might be a sign of a plug that'south outlasted its prime, however. If they're specially dirty, you might consider buying new ones.

  4. four

    Measure the gap by passing the tool through the electrodes. Place the appropriate blade or wire on your gap tool between the electrode tips of the plug, or pass the coin through the electrodes to decide the measurement.

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  1. ane

    Determine if the gap needs adjusting. If the tool passes through the gap without touching the electrodes at the appropriate measure, your gap is too wide. If you can't fit it between the electrodes, the gap is too pocket-sized and needs to be widened some. If it fits closely to the specified measurement, you're condom to install the spark plug.[4]

    • Nearly spark plugs and iridium plugs manufactured today don't need to be gapped prior to installing them. If y'all've got a custom modified engine, though, y'all might be interested in checking or installing plugs at a different spacing. Adjust them accordingly.[5]

  2. 2

    Employ the tool to arrange the bottom electrode. When you hold the spark plug with the electrodes facing the floor, you lot'll desire to bend the lesser one very gently either in toward the other electrode if you lot desire to narrow the gap, or out, if you desire to increment the gap slightly.

    • Never bend more than than a few (.02) fractions of an inch. It won't accept much pressure level, so be very careful. Spark plugs can exist quite delicate, and whatever fracturing can cause misfires.
    • If you're having trouble using the tool to conform the gap, consider bending information technology in using a flat surface like a tabular array to utilize some very gentle pressure level on the electrode to adapt it.

  3. three

    Re-measure the gap and adjust accordingly. Be very conscientious non to contact the electrode in the eye of the plug and damage the core. If it breaks or shorts you'll need to toss it and buy a new one.

  4. 4

    Exist very gentle. Snapping off the electrode will waste your efforts, and information technology doesn't accept much to do and so. Employ only a small amount of pressure level to bend the electrode and just bend it a little bit.

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Add New Question

  • Question

    The gap for my machine is .054. This is more than than double the thickness of the thickest blade on a feeler approximate. Am I supposed to remove several blades from the feeler-gauge associates and stack them?

    Community Answer

    Yes. Add more to go the correct thickness, if your thickest foliage is too small-scale. It's a very accurate way to measure out or set a gap.

  • Question

    How would I know if my plug is pre-gapped?

    Community Answer

    It says on the inside flap of the box whether or not they're pre-gapped.

  • Question

    How do I find the gap on an NKG spark plug?

    Community Answer

    NGK offers an extensive pocket book, which is often given abroad for free at exhibitions and motor fair. You tin unremarkably find this sort of information on NKG'due south website as well. The correct gap depends on the motor type and may vary from the gap when ownership it new.

  • Question

    What does 44,000 mean on the spark plug gap tool?

    Community Answer

    The distance of the gap betwixt the center electrode and the side electrode is measured in thousandths of an inch.

  • Question

    What is the gap of the upper electrode?

    Community Answer

    It depends on the plug. Consult the possessor's manual -- they will usually spec the plug and gap in the maintenance section. If you don't take the owner'due south manual, you may be able to download it for free -- manuals.lib has an extensive inventory.

  • Question

    How practise I know the gap size for my vehicle?

    Community Answer

    Your owners transmission should listing the gap size in the dorsum of the book; if you don't accept an owners manual, you may be able to download one online for free.

  • Question

    Is it necessary to change the spark plug wires when changing the spark plugs? Is it alright to re-use the same ones on new plugs?

    Community Answer

    It isn't necessary if the plug leads are in good working status, but people often renew them when doing a plug alter to be sure. you lot can ask a mechanic to check the resistance of your leads. It's an piece of cake test, and shouldn't cost you lot.

  • Question

    How tin can I correctly remove the benefactor from the engine?

    Community Answer

    Disconnect battery lead. Set the engine to pinnacle expressionless center by turning the crank shaft caster clockwise. The crankshaft pulley has a marking or groove on the edge; line this upward with the arrow or marking on the timing cover. When you remove your distributor cap, the rotor should be pointing where the lead to #ane cylinder would sit. If not, turn engine another revolution. When y'all have rotor pointing to correct spot and engine set to TDC marker where the rotor points with a dot of paint. Undo distributor bolt and wiggle it up and out. Refit with rotor pointing to paint spot.

  • Question

    How practice I adjust the spark plug gaps correctly?

    Community Answer

    Information technology depends on the tool you are using. Auto stores will sell what looks like a half dollar coin with a pigsty at the top. That's not to put on your central concatenation, information technology'due south really how you will gap your spark plugs. Put the ground strap in that hole and push down. If y'all are using the plastic round gap tool, and then on the side where it'south shaped oddly, put one side of that in between the basis strap and electrode (making sure you exercise non restriction the electrode). Button dorsum until the desired gap is achieved.

  • Question

    How do I discover the gap in a plug of a chainsaw?

    Community Answer

    If your finger tin can fit between the chainsaw and the base of the tree, and then you need a new chainsaw.

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VideoRead Video Transcript

  • If the color of the tips are different from 1 some other, your engine may have a problem.

  • Effort to match the gaps between all plugs as evenly as possible.

  • Exercise not over-tighten the spark plugs.[6] Most heads are fabricated of aluminum and the threads can strip easily.

  • Spark plugs are relatively inexpensive and come in ii common sizes: 5/eight and 13/16. If you aren't certain what size you need, buy a pack of each to salvage you an extra trip.

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  • Be certain to re-install the plug wires in the same gild every bit they were before.

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Things Y'all'll Need

  • Feeler gauge
  • thirteen/sixteen" socket with drive
  • Vice
  • Rag

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Article Summary Ten

A spark plug gap is the distance between the stop of the electrode and the base of operations of the spark plug. If your spark plugs aren't properly gapped, your engine may not burn fuel properly. Since every brand and model requires a unlike gap size, start by looking in the owner'due south transmission for your vehicle to find the required gap size, or pull the information upwardly online. Then, grab a gauge tool, and slide the recessed lip under the electrode sticking out from the base of the spark plug. Rotate the disc until you feel a business firm resistance and check the measurement next to the lip. If the gap matches your required size, you're good to install it in your vehicle. If the gap is too small-scale, pull the body of the plug away from the disc with the electrode hanging on the lip to gently force the gap open and re-measure it. If the gap is besides large, utilise the broad side of the gap tool to push the electrode downwardly and make the gap smaller. Proceed re-measuring and making small adjustments until the gap in the spark plug matches your manufacturer's recommended gap size. For tips on choosing an appropriate gap tool, read on!

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