Spark Plugs and Setting Gap

By-----David Trujillo

We have all the tools to perform this job. We just need to go to our favorite auto parts store and get the spark plugs. Putting in new spark plugs is not as hard as you might think. We do have to be careful not to break the insulator. Spark plugs have made a great advancement they now have four electrodes. Having four electrodes gives them a much stronger spark. The better the spark the more efficiently the fuel burns. With the price of gasoline these days, we need to save money.

The new material spark plugs are being made of is platinum. Another very important thing is the spark plug wires are made of a new carbon alloy. This alloy breaks very easily. It is a very good conductor of electricity. The important thing is that spark plugs are only about two dollars apiece. They now last about 100,000 miles. So they won't have to be changed as often as they were a few years ago. We do need to get a gapping tool that cost about one dollar.

It actually can be carried on your key ring. The new electrical module that creates the high voltage spark does not have to be changes at all. We have come a long way from setting the timing with points that would skip and miss a spark. The distributor cap is still around because there has to be a way to direct the spark to the plugs. The spark module is generating a voltage of 60, 000 volts at very low current.

I do recommend not touching it though it will still wake you up in a hurry. There are two sizes of spark plugs that is 13/16 and 5/8 in deep socket. The electrode is very long. In order to get the spark plug socket over the plug it must be about 2 inches deep. The difficult part of replacing the spark plug is the way that engine is mounted in the body of the car. Before we put the plugs in we need to check the spark gap. The specification for the gap is located on top of the radiator. The gap can also be on the firewall. Up inside the hood.

Finally if all else fails get out your Owners manual and find the specification page for your particular vehicle. The most important thing is to remember is to put each cable back on the correct plug. If this is not done it will change the firing order of the car and you will not like how it sounds. Can you believe that such a simple task will cost you $80 dollars? So do the math the plugs cost $8 dollars and the rest is labor.

The sad part about looking for a reputable mechanic is every one needs to eat. If you do not know anything about repairing your automobile, You are a walking target and they will take advantage of you. Have you heard the proverbial "Oh by the way, when we were fixing this we found"? This will cost you only around $900 dollars to fix and your car could stop any moment. Take advantage of my knowledge! Lets get this project completed what do you say. Gap all the plugs, now remove and replace the plugs one at a time until you

are done.

Plugs are torqued the least of any part in the engine. We recommend seven foot pounds. We also recommend that you start each plug by hand as not to strip out the threads. Vehicles with aluminum heads are the worst. The other thing I would like to suggest at this point is to add injector cleaner to a full tank of gas. If you have been hearing a clicking sound this will probably take care of it. Do it again in about two weeks. That is it, you just saved yourself some more money.

The other cool thing is if you have sons and daughters. You can now teach them these things and enjoy the bonding. Thanks for coming back! Hopefully this was something that interested you. Please leave some feedback. Anything that you would like to know, lets do it together.