How to Save Gas Easily How to Set Gaps in Spark Plugs Guide

Bruno
Tue, 08/18/2009 - 01:57

If you want your car’s engine to work properly and efficiently you need to set right gaps in spark plugs. Spark plugs offer ignition source which is required to light up the fuel-air mixture in the cylinder. Correct gap in spark plugs help your engine take full advantage of the power found in fuel mixtures. To take this benefit, you must know how to set gaps in spark plugs.

When to Gap Spark Plugs

Spark plugs usually work by passing an electricity arc between two electrodes i.e. the center electrode and gap electrode. An electric arc uses power to ignite the fuel-air mixture that is found in the cylinder as the engine begin to operate. Spark plug’s gap has a specific distance and auto engineers and designers compute this gap to confirm that the spark plug brings the most power for every cycle of the engine.

Car customization process often pinches the gap of a spark plug to offer maximum power as well as better efficiency of a car engine. You are supposed to avoid setting gaps in spark plugs if you have not modified your car’s engine or if your engine is manufacturers specified as the wires and electrodes on a spark plug are precisely designed for the intent to ignite the fuel-air mixture. You are recommended to set gaps in spark plugs if:

  • Your car’s engine offers difficulty to start or if it does not start at all.
  • If your car has a customized engine that pauses at some speeds
  • If there is any possibility that by setting gap in spark plugs will increase the power as well as performance of engine.

Tools

You probably require the following tools to set gaps in spark plugs:

  • Ratchet, socket set, and 12-inch extension
  • Your car manual
  • Feeler gauge
  • Spark plug gapping tool (can be bought from any auto supply store)
  • Needle-nose pliers (in case if you don’t have a gapping tool)

Steps

  • Try to work with one spark plug at a time. Take away each spark plug from receptacle by means of a ratchet wrench and socket set.
  • Before removing the spark plug thoroughly look at its condition. In case if it is dirty then you may get better engine performance just by cleaning these dirty and soiled spark plugs.
  • If you require re-gapping the spark plugs then take help from the manual provided by the owner for the correct gap setting among the center electrode and the gap electrode. Also put the gapping tool to the distance as specified on the owner’s manual.
  • For measurement of gap on the spark plug, you have to utilize the feeler gauge. Keep in mind that this gap should be same as the distance pointed out on the owner’s manual.
  • Slip the gapping tool in the recessed area among the center electrode and the gap electrode to reset or fix the gap. To make the gap wide, push the gapping tool in the spark plug until unless the gap is set at the appropriate distance. Avoid scratching the ceramic or ceramic coating on the center electrode as in this case you may have to replace the entire spark plug.

  • Now, put the newly-gapped spark plug back to the receptacle. Check to verify if the wires and plugs are safe on the spark plug assembly.
  • After that, perform the same procedure for remaining spark plugs.

Properly customized engines tend to significantly increase its performance and power. The appropriate gap on your spark plugs let you maximize your engine’s efficiency

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