NGK Spark Plugs, Pre-Gapped?
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
NGK Spark Plugs, Pre-Gapped?
I just did a plug change on my '98 4Runner, and from what i've read on here, and from the NGK website, the NGK BKR5EKB-11 plugs should come pre-gapped at .040. Well, NONE of mine were, they were all around .020. I double checked my spark plug gapper with another, and even busted out a set of feeler gauges to REALLY make sure. I gapped mine to .043 - .044; kinda hard to get an accurate gap to the thousands of an inch by eye.
So, were your NGK BKR5EKB-11's pre-gapped to the correct spec out of the box??
So, were your NGK BKR5EKB-11's pre-gapped to the correct spec out of the box??
#2
Contributing Member
When I was in ASEP school our Auto Tech teacher said to never assume spark plugs are pre-gapped. I've ran into a few of them that aren't properly gapped and usually check them anyways. What's an extra minute just to be sure than having to take them back out after driveability concerns after installation?
#3
Registered User
Thats how my ngk v powers were. All .005-.010 out of spec. The box said pregapped and what not but theres not alot of room around the 3vz so i only wanted to do it once.
#4
pre gapped?
how often do you think the clerks played footy ball with that box of plugs?
well, maybe not footy ball, but were they dropped at some point?
Never assume a plug is pregapped, always double check the gap.
how often do you think the clerks played footy ball with that box of plugs?
well, maybe not footy ball, but were they dropped at some point?
Never assume a plug is pregapped, always double check the gap.
#5
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I could understand if they were a little off like yours were; but this is re-freaking-tarded when they were +0.2 off. Wonder how many un-mechanically inclined saps bought these plugs thinking they were "plug'n'play" (pun intended), only to have their motor run like crap?
BTW, the plug & wire change solved my idle and under-load misfires. Motor seems to wake up at around 3k RPM and just go like a banshee. Kinda scary how quiet and smooth the engine is at idle now. I'll post up some pics of my plugs, they were VERY worn.
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You dont gap those plugs!! They are dual electrode plugs that are pre- gapped. I went threw this a few months back with the same plugs and even called NGK directly. If you have gapped them, you might have ruined them.https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/s...estion-186032/
Last edited by bgmac; 09-12-2009 at 07:43 PM. Reason: Posted Link
Trending Topics
#8
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You dont gap those plugs!! They are dual electrode plugs that are pre- gapped. I went threw this a few months back with the same plugs and even called NGK directly. If you have gapped them, you might have ruined them.https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/s...estion-186032/
Mothle!
Oh well, learned something new today! Sheesh, getting my ass handed to me on a simple plug change...thats what I get for owning domestics all my life and never experiencing the joys of dual electrode plugs.
Last edited by MunkeyTX; 09-12-2009 at 09:23 PM.
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#10
Registered User
Son-of-a...wow. Lovely. Makes sense why each side was .020...both of them together would give you .040? Thank god these things are cheap.
Checking the gap between the center electrode & side electrodes and with cheapie AutoZone plug gapper, and with set of feeler gauges; adjusting them with the left end u-shaped portions of this tool:
Mothle!
Oh well, learned something new today! Sheesh, getting my ass handed to me on a simple plug change...thats what I get for owning domestics all my life and never experiencing the joys of dual electrode plugs.
Checking the gap between the center electrode & side electrodes and with cheapie AutoZone plug gapper, and with set of feeler gauges; adjusting them with the left end u-shaped portions of this tool:
Mothle!
Oh well, learned something new today! Sheesh, getting my ass handed to me on a simple plug change...thats what I get for owning domestics all my life and never experiencing the joys of dual electrode plugs.
#11
Registered User
Now, all that being said, you can run single electrode plugs. I have for 2 years, but switched to the duals last time around. They're supposed to last longer, so we'll see.
#12
Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Denver metro area-CO
Posts: 2,175
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
found via google search- thanks for letting me in
" (gasp hah heavy breathing)"
almost a year late... I just want to say it out loud then. Prepping for 3rd gen maintenance day on Sunday and doing plugs again now for an 01 Limited V6.
"There is no need to check the gap on dual electrode spark plugs? Is that the correct way of putting it?"
Or is it better to say the total gap of both electrodes should be the published figure?
Or better to just not mess with it at all and presume it is gapped correctly?
If the total figure is .040 then as above-each one is .020?
So that feeler gauge pictured would go that low so as to be able to check each side.
My specifics would be the Nippodenso K16TR11. The box "U groove" pictures a single electrode but the plug is most definitely a dual. Just not mess with em?
I googled a few sites for "gap dual electrode plugs?" and for every person that says do not touch 'em there is another that says gap should be checked. Those tuner guys are funny... I won't name a specific site I don't want to irritate anyone...
" (gasp hah heavy breathing)"
almost a year late... I just want to say it out loud then. Prepping for 3rd gen maintenance day on Sunday and doing plugs again now for an 01 Limited V6.
"There is no need to check the gap on dual electrode spark plugs? Is that the correct way of putting it?"
Or is it better to say the total gap of both electrodes should be the published figure?
Or better to just not mess with it at all and presume it is gapped correctly?
If the total figure is .040 then as above-each one is .020?
So that feeler gauge pictured would go that low so as to be able to check each side.
My specifics would be the Nippodenso K16TR11. The box "U groove" pictures a single electrode but the plug is most definitely a dual. Just not mess with em?
I googled a few sites for "gap dual electrode plugs?" and for every person that says do not touch 'em there is another that says gap should be checked. Those tuner guys are funny... I won't name a specific site I don't want to irritate anyone...
Last edited by Ron Helmuth; 06-21-2010 at 05:23 PM. Reason: look I am quoting myself like a dime store novel- one of those bodice ripping cheapo books with the lurid photos of 3rd gens
#13
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SLC, UT
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
found via google search- thanks for letting me in
" (gasp hah heavy breathing)"
almost a year late... I just want to say it out loud then. Prepping for 3rd gen maintenance day on Sunday and doing plugs again now for an 01 Limited V6.
"There is no need to check the gap on dual electrode spark plugs? Is that the correct way of putting it?"
Or is it better to say the total gap of both electrodes should be the published figure?
Or better to just not mess with it at all and presume it is gapped correctly?
If the total figure is .040 then as above-each one is .020?
So that feeler gauge pictured would go that low so as to be able to check each side.
My specifics would be the Nippodenso K16TR11. The box "U groove" pictures a single electrode but the plug is most definitely a dual. Just not mess with em?
I googled a few sites for "gap dual electrode plugs?" and for every person that says do not touch 'em there is another that says gap should be checked. Those tuner guys are funny... I won't name a specific site I don't want to irritate anyone...
" (gasp hah heavy breathing)"
almost a year late... I just want to say it out loud then. Prepping for 3rd gen maintenance day on Sunday and doing plugs again now for an 01 Limited V6.
"There is no need to check the gap on dual electrode spark plugs? Is that the correct way of putting it?"
Or is it better to say the total gap of both electrodes should be the published figure?
Or better to just not mess with it at all and presume it is gapped correctly?
If the total figure is .040 then as above-each one is .020?
So that feeler gauge pictured would go that low so as to be able to check each side.
My specifics would be the Nippodenso K16TR11. The box "U groove" pictures a single electrode but the plug is most definitely a dual. Just not mess with em?
I googled a few sites for "gap dual electrode plugs?" and for every person that says do not touch 'em there is another that says gap should be checked. Those tuner guys are funny... I won't name a specific site I don't want to irritate anyone...
Last edited by stir_fry_boy; 06-22-2010 at 09:02 AM.
#14
Registered User
IfToyota FSM 5VZE Ignition
If these plugs can't be gapped, would someone please explain Page IG-4 of the above? I gap mine to1.1mm on each side using a wire type gauge. Many NGK's are off, although fewer are out recently. I have been doing this for 11 years and 128K miles and truck runs great. I have always used NGK BKR5EKB-11 from NAPA and change every 30K.
There is no way to ruin one of these plugs by checking it with a wire gauge. If it is out, it needs to be adjusted.
I use one of these (K-D Tools #2327) to gap:
It has 1.02mm and 1.12mm feelers. I make it loose on 1.02 and barely too tight on 1.12. This is my story and I'm sticking to it.
If these plugs can't be gapped, would someone please explain Page IG-4 of the above? I gap mine to1.1mm on each side using a wire type gauge. Many NGK's are off, although fewer are out recently. I have been doing this for 11 years and 128K miles and truck runs great. I have always used NGK BKR5EKB-11 from NAPA and change every 30K.
There is no way to ruin one of these plugs by checking it with a wire gauge. If it is out, it needs to be adjusted.
I use one of these (K-D Tools #2327) to gap:
It has 1.02mm and 1.12mm feelers. I make it loose on 1.02 and barely too tight on 1.12. This is my story and I'm sticking to it.
Last edited by TheDurk; 06-22-2010 at 09:14 AM.
#15
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Outer Banks, NC
Posts: 570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gap the plugs. I feel the gap does not have to be spot on, but I gapped all six of mine to .043-.044. Two of mine (NGK) out of the box were over .060.
I've even gapped iridium plugs with no problem.
Either type of gauge show will work just fine. Don't forget the dap of antiseize.
I've even gapped iridium plugs with no problem.
Either type of gauge show will work just fine. Don't forget the dap of antiseize.
#16
Registered User
Gap the plugs. I feel the gap does not have to be spot on, but I gapped all six of mine to .043-.044. Two of mine (NGK) out of the box were over .060.
I've even gapped iridium plugs with no problem.
Either type of gauge show will work just fine. Don't forget the dap of antiseize.
I've even gapped iridium plugs with no problem.
Either type of gauge show will work just fine. Don't forget the dap of antiseize.
Either is fine for adjusting.
Last edited by TheDurk; 06-22-2010 at 12:43 PM.
#19
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Outer Banks, NC
Posts: 570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What NOT to do for gapping plugs...... I'll never trust expertvillage when they have a young Boris Karloff banging the plug on a table.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYK5IUXSfew&feature=fvw
Straight from NGK, there is not a more straight foward tutorial for gapping plugs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk70o...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYK5IUXSfew&feature=fvw
Straight from NGK, there is not a more straight foward tutorial for gapping plugs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk70o...eature=related