how do you gap your spark plugs?
12-23-2006, 01:15 AM
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how do you gap your spark plugs?
At 33k miles, I got bored and wanted to check the gap on my plugs. They are the original (I assume) ones that came in the car. AC Delco ITR4A. From what I've read on here that is what our cars were born with.
Anyway, while checking the gap, I broke one of the little pins, you know, the one that comes up from the center of the plug. I mashed the L shaped thing down a little and made sure it was .60 from the remainder of the pin to the tip, but I want to replace that soon.
I am guessing that if I buy the NGK ITR4A-15, these are the same? How should I go about checking the gap? I have one of those little disk things from Autozone. Starts out small and gets thicker as you go around. Is that what you use? At $9 per, I would rather not break another.
By the way, it'* an 05 SE, no mods. Getting 20mpg around the city(part of the reason I wanted to check the gapping) and around 25-27mpg on the highway. That'* pretty low from reading other posts.
Merry Christmas to you guys and gals too.
Jeff
Anyway, while checking the gap, I broke one of the little pins, you know, the one that comes up from the center of the plug. I mashed the L shaped thing down a little and made sure it was .60 from the remainder of the pin to the tip, but I want to replace that soon.
I am guessing that if I buy the NGK ITR4A-15, these are the same? How should I go about checking the gap? I have one of those little disk things from Autozone. Starts out small and gets thicker as you go around. Is that what you use? At $9 per, I would rather not break another.
By the way, it'* an 05 SE, no mods. Getting 20mpg around the city(part of the reason I wanted to check the gapping) and around 25-27mpg on the highway. That'* pretty low from reading other posts.
Merry Christmas to you guys and gals too.
Jeff
12-23-2006, 01:39 AM
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you dont have to run platinums or iridiums....I'd match up the plugs though if you are going to replace it. I dont know if the NGK is identical or not.
12-23-2006, 03:50 AM
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Re: how do you gap your spark plugs?
Originally Posted by kristie_jeff
By the way, it'* an 05 SE, no mods. Getting 20mpg around the city(part of the reason I wanted to check the gapping) and around 25-27mpg on the highway. That'* pretty low from reading other posts.
Jeff
Jeff
12-23-2006, 10:18 AM
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I never liked that style gauge that you're using. I prefer the one that has a wire that matches the gap.
Change that broken plug soon. Here'* a pic of the style gauge I like to use.
Change that broken plug soon. Here'* a pic of the style gauge I like to use.
12-23-2006, 01:35 PM
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All of them will work. Like TT, I don't like the ramp ones as well as I like to work with an even surface to be certain as to the gap. They do work, however. As do the wire ones, and the feeler gauges. The feeler gauges will work better if you want a gap between the settings of the wire gauge. The wire gauge will give you a more accurate reading than a flat gauge as the plugs wear and the side electode starts to get a small valley in it.
12-23-2006, 01:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Archon
The wire gauge will give you a more accurate reading than a flat gauge as the plugs wear and the side electode starts to get a small valley in it.
55'* are cheap as he11, throw a new set in, done...
12-23-2006, 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by daman
Originally Posted by Archon
The wire gauge will give you a more accurate reading than a flat gauge as the plugs wear and the side electode starts to get a small valley in it.
55'* are cheap as he11, throw a new set in, done...
12-23-2006, 02:54 PM
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I go a little crazy with spark plugs, I used to replace mine every 20k miles no matter what...
the lesabre only has its second set EVER and I'm going nuts since I need to replace them lol
the lesabre only has its second set EVER and I'm going nuts since I need to replace them lol
