Spark Plug Gap question

[TrailChaser]

I bought the Iridium IX from NGK and was noticing that the electrode is very small and it looks like it would break if you try to set the gap. Are these plugs not suppose to be gapped?

[nige]

gap them between .031" and .035", but you might want to double check that with someone else. Take care not to damage the electrode when gapping them.

[k9sar]

prying the lead away from the electrode with a screwdriver = bad

 

using a gapping tool that grasps and bends th lead without touching the electrode = good

[Slick]

what he said ^^^^^ :contract:

[RedPath88]

Yup, what they said... just be careful!

[Precise1]

Yes, I have dealt with these... Use a WIRE gage only to check the gap, a leaf style can damage/wear the tip !!! If it needs adjustment (which it should not) use only the k9sar mentioned tool. DO NOT TOUCH THE ELECTRODE. That said, they are great, but I'm not how they stack up to cheaper ones for price=power+longevity.

 

B

[kmgar99]

prying the lead away from the electrode with a screwdriver = bad

 

using a gapping tool that grasps and bends th lead without touching the electrode = good

Bingo, that's exactly right....The car parts places usually have the gapper devices at the counters for like $.50

[TrailChaser]

Cool, I bought'em for $5 apiece from Oreilly's (employee discount)

 

It's a crap job as far as the $$$ is concerned, but the e-discount is great. I can get all three belts for $1.86 apiece for example. Not to mention the discount on alt's, starters, cv's, ect...

 

I probly won't be working there much longer tho... I'm looking for a good welding job.. :type:

[Guest C_2g]

I bought the Iridium IX from NGK and was noticing that the electrode is very small and it looks like it would break if you try to set the gap. Are these plugs not suppose to be gapped?

You do not have to gap that plug. Here is a copy and paste from an autoparts store in my area:

 

 

NGK 6418

Iridium IX Plug; BKR6EIX; @ Gap Preset

[TrailChaser]

Ya, they say that about most if not all the plugs... I've checked enough to know better. A lot are off by .005 which is unacceptable mainly because they are wide .005 then as you use them they only get wider...

I've heard that some guys will even set their plugs a little short of the required gap because the electrode gets shortened with use. That way you get "good" proformance longer.

[FLApathy]

NGK's are not supposed to be gapped, they are usaly used for hondas in fact thats what honda says to use, but NGK's from what i understand or not made to be gapped

[02silverpathy]

Right...NGK plain-wraps are the best, best fuel, best power, cleanest burn in a honda...the idea is to let the car use that electrode not fight it...then just replace them.

 

Trailchaser...you got your game air tight!! Jobs aren't always about that $ they are however about benefits like the one's your talking about...I work part time at Lowes to get what ever info, help, supplies that i need for myself....next i need in real estate so i can get a house without killing my life style here in MD!!!

[DJ Dank]

I don't know if you already put them in by now or not but last year when I did my cap, rotor, and NGK wires, I also swapped in some Iridium IX's...

 

I had the gapping tool as well but I made the mistake of trying to gap it. And yes the electrode is TINY and broke the tip right off of it. And I bought 6 plugs off ebay for cheap and I was in the middle of the swap when it happened. I ahd to scramble all over town to just find ONE IX and finally did at Napa.

 

Long story short, don't gap the iridium ix's. They come pregapped at factory spec and should be left alone especially with the electrode tip the way they are.

[Precise1]

*sigh*

Check the gap with WIRE gages. They SHOULD be to spec, but I found some variance between the 4 that I put in my bike and they were $22 each !!

At that price, they should be perfect and install themselves !!

 

B

[MaritimeMan]

Shesh, at that price they should come with a.............. oh nm, you get my point.

[88pathoffroad]

Those $22 plugs should come with some of this...

 

[TrailChaser]

[Precise1]

No doubt 88 !! Then add the 3.5 hours of shop time to change them, its $350 to change 4 plugs...

Needless to say I did it myself...

 

B