How to Set Gaps in Spark Plugs

Right gaps in spark plugs are a key to generate high performance and power for most of the customized and modified vehicles. Spark plugs are the initiator of the ignition process and provide necessary ignition source to light up the fuel air mixture in the cylinder. It is necessary to gap the spark plugs properly to maximize the power of the engine.

Gap Spark Plugs

Spark plugs work by passing arc electricity between the gap electrode and the center electrode. This electric arc has enough power to burn the air-fuel mixture inside the cylinder to function the engine. To increase the power of this electric arc the gap is adjust in such a manner to maximize the power of every cycle of the engine.

Many auto modders and car customizers opt for gap in spark plugs to improve the performance and optimize the effectiveness of the engine. Remember if you don’t have a modified car or have a manufacturer specified engine, you need not to set gap on spark plugs. In following conditions you can set gap on your spark plugs:

• If your engine is having cold starts or your engine is unable to start.
• You have customized or modified engine, which stumbles at gaining certain speed.
• If you believe that re-gapping the spark plugs can give your car’s engine a remarkable increase in efficiency and power.

Required Material

Following tools and material is required to gap the spark plugs:

• Car manual
• Feeler gauge
• Needle nose pliers (if gapping tool isn’t available)
• Socket set (with 12- inch extension)
• Spark plug gapping tool
• Ratchet

Instructions

• Take ratchet or socket set and remove the spark plug carefully from its receptacle. Always work on one spark plug at a time.

• Examine the spark plug closely, dirty or damaged spark plug reduces the performance of the engine. By cleaning the dirty plug, you can increase the performance by just simply clean it.

• Follow the instructions given in owner’s manual to adjust the gap in spark plugs.

• You can use the gapping tool to adjust the gap between the gap electrode and the center electrode.

• For measure the exact gap, use the feeler gauge. Remember the gap should be the same as mentioned in the manual. Even a single millimeter matters.

• Keep the gapping tool in between the gap electrode and the center electrode to reset the gap. To extend the gap push the tool in the spark plug until you get the required gap measure. Make sure that in all that process you have to keep the ceramic coating on the electrodes safe. Otherwise, you have to replace the entire plug.

• Reinstall the spark plug on the receptacle. All the wires and connections should be properly secured on the assembly (spark plug).

• You can repeat the same process for all the plugs remaining.

Gapping on the spark plugs is very common in customized cars. Customized cars always seek high speeds and performance. But it is not always handy. If you don’t have any idea about how to gap on spark plugs seek help from any professional automobile mechanic.