625 Posts . They are the ones which have 2 earthing bits either side of the central electrode. Replacing and Adjusting Halogen and Xenon Headlamps. The gap measurements are indicated either on the box, or by the part number located on the spark plug shell. Be the first to know about sales and promotions. A. Run the wire between the two electrodes of the spark plug. Proper NGK Gapping Instructions. Anyhow the new motor has the correct plugs, superb condition & all the right colours on 'em. Re: Surface Gap Spark Plugs? If the gauge goes through too easily without touching the electrodes, the gap is wide. Can anyone tell me if you are supposed to gap the recommended twin ground plugs when installing them in the 3.4? The electricity sparks between the top of the center electrode and the bottom surface of the side electrode. Multi-electrode spark plugs are marketing gimmicks that just aren't worth using. You can adjust the spark plug gap if it was not set correctly. If it is necessary to widen the gap, do so with a tool that only pulls back on the ground electrode without touching the center electrode or the porcelain. If you’re using a new plug, it should be clean and new-looking, with the tip of the side electrode centered over the center electrode. For the spark plug to ignite the fuel air mixture the electricity has to arc between the two electrodes of the spark plug. In addition, a new plug with sharp edges on the center electrode will spark more reliably than an older, eroded plug. The gap is the distance between the center and side electrodes, set so arcing occurs at the proper voltage that ignites the fuel and generates the combustion that makes the engine run. It has a single electrode with larger dimensions compared to other spark plugs. Adjusting the distance between the two electrodes is called gapping your spark plugs. On this plug, the side electrode is closest to the center electrode where it hovers over the center. The following steps explain how to gap your spark plugs: 1 Clean your spark plug. Press the side electrode very gently against a clean, mar-proof surface until it’s slightly bent down toward the center electrode. Widen the gap, if necessary, by hooking the gauge on the ground electrode and tugging gently. The following steps explain how to gap your spark plugs: If you’re regapping a used plug, make sure that it’s clean (gently scrub it with a wire brush). You shouldn’t see any cracks or bubbles in the porcelain insulator, and the threads should be unbroken. The wire should catch on them as it passes through. To do this, use either a pair of needle nose pliers or a dedicated spark plug gapping tool. If you’re regapping a used plug, make sure that it’s clean (gently scrub it with a wire brush). With multiple ground electrode spark plugs the spark only jumps one of the gaps in order to reach ground in the path of least resistance, producing only 1 spark … This is an extreme Champion racing spark plug once used in 15:1 NASCAR superspeedway motors with a radically cut-back side electrode. If it is necessary to widen the gap, do so with a tool that only pulls back on the ground electrode without touching the center electrode or the porcelain. I've read all the advertising blurb about multi electrode types such as Bosch but wonder if there is really any benefit in fitting such items or whether they might actually cause inferior combustion as … Step 4: Adjust the spark plug gap. Sponsored by DENSO. Spark plugs are an often overlooked but crucial part of a race engine and focus on how spark plug tuning changes can squeeze out extra power - Circle Track Magazine To close the gap on a plug, gently tap the plug, electrode first on a hard surface. When adjusting the gap on a spark plug, any spark plug, the best tool to use is a wire feeler gauge. Brief overview of Multi-Ground Electrode spark plugs from NGK Spark Plugs. Are Bosch Spark Plugs pre-gapped at the factory? I guess since most people don’t use them the google search would be useless. Explaining my opinion on multi-electrode spark plugs (are they a marketing gimmick?) But, it is still a good idea to inspect the new spark plugs for damage or defects. 4.1. This directs the spark to the edge of the center electrode, thus exposing it … All standard multi ground electrode spark plugs have a factory pre-gaped setting. Discussion Starter • #1 • Jun 24, 2008. The majority of these plugs come pre-gapped from the factory. If the wire didn’t go through, the gap is too narrow. NGK do not recommend gap adjustment for precious metal spark plugs. A variety of techniques are used to adjust electrode gaps. I've also had problems with the damn things grounding out on the cylinder head instead of the electrodes. Multi-electrode spark plugs - Clio - BobG : I need to change the spark plugs on my wife's 1.2 Clio. The spark gap is the closest distance between the center electrode and the side electrode. requirements for the vehicles they are listed to fit. To close the gap on a plug, gently tap the plug, electrode first on a hard surface. Most people go through the “too large–too small–too large” bit a couple of times for each plug, especially the perfectionists. A spark plug creates a small string of high-voltage electricity within a specifically measured gap between a center electrode and a ground electrode. A feeler gauge is shown here. Surface gap plugs present the flame kernel to the piston (or rotor) more directly, reducing the travel time from the spark to the combustion gases. If the gap is too big, then the spark may struggle to jump the gap at all. Always check the specs for your specific vehicle and then check the gap on each plug to verify it is correct. * X suffix = .044" * Y suffix = .060" * Z suffix = .080" Gaps should never by adjusted on Platinum+4 or Platinum2. Multi-Ground plugs are offered in 2, 3 and 4 ground electrode designs. I have q78yc and while single electrode plugs are plentiful, I can’t find multi electrode ones online. Andrew Markel shows how and how not to gap a fine-wire spark plug. Be careful that the gauge touches only the ground electrode and not the porcelain or the center electrode. Beyond that slight adjustment, the ground electrode and center electrode won't align properly, hindering spark plug performance and drastically reducing plug life. If the gauge doesn’t go through, or if it goes through too easily without touching the electrodes, you need to adjust the distance between the electrodes. I gaped two or three until i noticed that the electrodes had a slight curve to them which made them difficult to read with the tool I was using. With the 4-electrode plugs you're shielding almost all of the spark which is just awful. We are not NGK Spark Plugs USA. To contact them, click here. This setting should not be altered in any way for any reason. To increase the gap, gently bend the ground electrode towards the center electrode. For modern fine-wire spark plugs, you should not measure the gap because you could damage the center electrode. The gap is obviously not flat on the dual electrode NGK BPR6EKN, it's u-shaped. When people buy the multi ground spark they tend to think about performance when they should be thinking of stability and durability. The upper plug is a triple electrode style. Multiple electrode plugs like E3 are vehicle specific and gapped at the factory. It is important to note that multi-ground does not mean multi-spark, there will still only be one spark at a time. Flat blade feeler gauges can give you an erroneous result because the gap between the tip and ground electrode is rarely perfectly flat even on a single electrode plug. But they've been bought for an earlier vsn of the engine in this car. You need a feeler gauge to gap your spark plugs properly. If the gap setting of a spark plug with multi-ground electrodes comes into question, a wire style gap tool must be used to verify the pre-gap setting. For the electricity to be able to jump between the two electrodes the spark plug have to be at a very specific distance. An appropriate method and tool should be used for gap adjustment although it has come to our attention that a variety of improper methods are used that lead to implications. Plug manufacturers traditionally warn against gapping fine wire spark plugs due to the fragile nature of their electrodes. The spark occurs one at a time in which ever facilitates the spark to occur (heat, closest one to the center, “gap”, electri c conductivity and i gnition system I have read other answers. Caution should be made in selecting a "high performance" plug. Spark/ignition comes from the spark plug. The gap between the center and side electrodes of a spark plug must be an exact distance; otherwise, your plugs don’t fire efficiently. Importance of the Spark Plug Gap. If you keep adjusting the gap too narrow or too wide, don’t feel bad. Do not mistake the BRISK Multi-Spark technology for spark plugs with multiple ground electrodes, as these gaps are arranged in a parallel. This is a bit more in the spirit of a challenge-so I've not thrown into mechanics, where it should really be. That distance is what we call the SPARK PLUG GAP. This spark plug represents a conventional J-gap style spark plug. NGK.com specializes in hard to find NGK products. I've seen some other plugs with multiple electrodes with as many as 6 points that claim to "fire hotter", but that makes no sense, since the spark is naturally going to follow the one path of least resistance, which would be whichever electrode is closest to the center, seems like just a sales gimmick to me. V-Power spark plugs are a patented design by NGK to improve ignitability and reduce quenching.. Ignitability is improved by the V-groove cut in the center electrode, which runs parallel to the ground electrode. Hook the part of the feeler gauge that’s used for bending electrodes under the side electrode and tug very gently to widen the gap. I grabbed a feeler gauge and measured straight across an unadjusted plug and attempted to reset the gap to that. E3 has taken multiple spark plug design features, such as cut back ground electrodes, sharp edges and surface gaps, and combined them to create a new ground electrode design. Most Bosch Spark Plugs are factory pre-gapped for popular vehicle applications. Thus, if the engine design requires a side discharge plug, more ground electrodes extend plug life. Spark Plug Type Matters. Adjusting the Electrode Gap. about multiple ground electrode spark plugs is, that they fire more than one spark at a time; a true understanding of basic electricity physics does not al low this to happen. Thanks, I was just curious. When replacing spark plugs, ensuring that the plugs have the proper gap is critical to engine performance. Gap new as well as old spark plugs, even if the package says that the new plugs are “pre-gapped.” To avoid problems, work on only one plug at a time, in cylinder sequence order. You want the gauge to go through fairly easily, just catching the electrodes as it passes. Spark plug with single ground electrode (J-gap), type-A. Fine Wire Plugs. If you’re using a new plug, it should be clean and new-looking, with the tip of the side electrode centered over the center electrode. I made the mistake of measuring and misreading the gap on a few dual electrode plugs. It is always best to check the gap against the manufacturer’s specifications. If adjusting the gap on fine wire or precious metal plugs such as platinum or iridium, be very careful not to apply any pressure or prying force to the fine wire center electrode or insulator as they can be damaged. To find the right gauge, look for a spec sheet for your automobile in the owner’s manual, or you can get the information from a local auto parts store. * Gapping is not recommended on multi-ground plugs, and should never be attempted on the Bosch IR Fusion series. Q. The type of spark plug makes a difference on gapping. E3 Spark Plugs for automotive and powersports applications have a unique multi-leg ground electrode that is pre-gapped at our factory to meet the O.E. 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