What tool do I use to gap spark plugs?
feeler gauge
A feeler gauge is made up of a collection of calibrated metal strips of varying thicknesses. The blades look like a pocket knife when joined together. It’s the best tool for measuring and adjusting the spark plug spacing.
What can I use to gap a spark plug without tool?
Yes — that’s an actual tool, and no, you don’t need it if you have a feeler gauge. Using a small flat-tip screwdriver or a knife, you can gently tap the electrode to achieve the desired gap. Just be sure to avoid the actual tip of the electrode, as you can easily break it by prying on it.
Is a spark plug gap tool necessary?
Why You Should Use a Spark Plug Gap Tool Whether you’re looking to maximize the performance of your vehicle or just want to double check that the setting is right, using a spark plug gap tool is vital. Using a spark plug gap tool allows you to achieve the exact measurement recommended by the manufacturer.
What if my spark plug gap is too big?
One of the key factors that makes a spark plug work well, or not, is the size of the gap between the electrodes. However, if the spark plug gap is too large, the spark is unlikely to consistently “jump” across the long distance between electrodes, thus leading to a rough-running engine or one that doesn’t run at all.
Can you use a feeler gauge to gap spark plugs?
You can use either a feeler gauge or a spark plug gauge to gap your spark plugs.
How do you gap a spark plug with a coin?
Most measuring tools will also feature a flat edge typically used for bending the bottom electrode on the spark plug to adjust the gap slightly. A coin-style gap measure is usually the cheapest option, and works by running the edge of the “coin” through the gap until you reach a point where it stops.
What will happen if the spark plug gap is too wide?
An engine that hesitates, or stumbles, upon acceleration is often the result of incorrectly gapped spark plugs. If spark plugs are gapped too wide, the ignition spark loses some of its strength as it crosses the spark plug gaps. This can result in engine hesitation.
What happens if your spark plugs are not gapped right?
Spark plugs that are not gapped properly will cause the engine to either skip firing, or ignite too soon in the compression stroke. Properly gapped spark plugs also remove heat from the cylinder ignition chamber. The heat range of a spark plug is defined as its ability dissipate heat from the tip.”
Is a smaller spark plug gap better?
A smaller gap will yield a short, intense spark and will usually make the engine real responsive. So a small intense spark is much better than a big, weak spark, especially when dealing with richer fuel mixtures and more volumes of fuel being burned.
What happens if spark plug gap too small?
The Spark-Plug Gap If the gap is too small, the spark will likely be too weak and cause the engine to run poorly or with poor efficiency. A spark-plug gap gauge both measures and adjusts the gap and is inexpensive and simple to use.
How do I Close a spark plug gap?
To close the gap on a plug, gently tap the plug, electrode first on a hard surface. NGK doesn’t recommend adjusting the plug gap more than .008″ in either direction. Beyond that slight adjustment, the ground electrode and center electrode won’t align properly, hindering spark plug performance and drastically reducing plug life.
What is gap supposed to be on a spark plug?
On a conventional spark plug, it is the area between the center and the ground electrode . As the spark always follow the path of least resistance, spark gap is generally the closest point between the spark plug center electrode and the spark plug ground electrode which is sometimes formed by the spark plug shell itself.
What is a good spark plug gap?
One spark plug manufacturer said a good way to determine the ideal plug gap for an engine is to start out with a modest gap of around.035˝and gradually increase the gap several thousandths at a time until the engine starts to misfire and lose power (or run slower times).
Do I need to gap my spark plugs?
A properly gapped spark plug is necessary for a properly functioning engine. The gap size affects the spark plug’s firing temperature, which has a direct 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.