Hi All,

Okay I recently installed the platinum NGK's into my 2000rs. First they we're gapped about .39. I re-did them last night and I gapped them to about .41 to .42.

I don't think it's my imagination, but I beleive the car revs a bit differently, maybe easier in the higher ranges, than at the first gap.

How does gapping affect the motor. What are the effects in a higher compression app, like the 10:1 on the 2000's. I know they need hotter plugs than the MY9x, but does the gap come into play also? And how?

Any observations or opinions welcome.

Stav

you dont have to gap the platinum's, they already come gapped

GAP every plug you get. How can you trust that the plugs stay gapped while being shipped?!?!?


Skylab™

Very true, it doesn't take much force to move the electrode. Even though they do have a cardboard sleeve over them you should gap them.

For the 4 electrode plugs that can't be gapped-- just avoid them. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

Stavros, the idea behind gapping the plug is making the arc big enough to ignite the fuel mix easily, but not so big as to reduce the ability to produce a spark OR have the spark blown out. Spark plug gap is determined by the combustion chamber's behavior and the power the engine makes.

This is oversimplification, but that's the idea. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif

use a feeler gauge or buy a cheap sparkplug gapper tool. just check the tool with a micrometer before you use it-- if you're bothering to adjust a few thousandths of an inch, a $2 keyring gapper needs to be checked IMO.

if the gap needs to be increased, carefully bend the electrode slightly out. I use a small flatblade screwdriver, some slide the plug along the above mentioned cheapo tool. if you need to reduce the gap, tap very lightly on the electrode with something non-metal.

If the box was squished enough in shipping to bend the electrode then you would see that the box was squished before you ever picked it up off the shelf.

I have always heard, don't gap platinum plugs. I don't know if they are just brittle and you might break it or what the deal is.

Quick web search shows that maybe you can scratch off the platinum coating if you try to change the gap or even check it. Makes sense to me, for $4/plug there can't be a very thick layer of Pt on there.

cheers
mbs

So what gap is everyone running? Book says .39 - .43, dealer recommends .41.

Stav

I try to put mine in at about .040. The NGK BKR6E-11's have always been pre-gapped at .039, but it is a good idea to check just in case.

Ross N.

i just wonder how the gap the plugs?