If you’re looking to replace your spark plugs, you may be wondering how to gap iridium spark plugs. Properly gapping your spark plugs is essential for ensuring optimal engine performance and fuel efficiency.
While iridium spark plugs are known for their durability and longevity, they still need to be properly gapped to work effectively.
In this article, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to gap iridium spark plugs and offer some helpful tips to make the process easier.
What Is A Spark Plug?
Spark plugs are a mechanism found in most internal combustion engines today. In other words, this part is an indispensable component whether the system in your car uses diesel or gasoline to operate.
Structure
Depending on the manufacturer’s design, Spark plugs can have many different shapes and sizes. So you will find many products with dozens of variations to choose from.
However, regardless of design, all spark plugs share the same construction of two parallel electrodes. In the middle will be a space to create sparks.
Besides, this part has several other factors to fix the electrode and the wires to connect this part to the power source.
In models specializing in moving on snow, such as Honda Civics, this part will also have some structural changes to suit.
Material
Usually, the electrodes on this part will be subjected to very high temperatures and voltages for a certain period. So it’s not surprising that most designers choose high-strength metals to create this detail.
One of the most common compounds on plug models is Iridium. In addition, you can also encounter some other metals, such as Nickel, copper, or platinum.
How it works
The battery or accumulator first generates power and passes it directly to the spark plugs through wires or other similar mechanisms. From there, the electrodes will gradually recharge with energy and create a discharge that fills some space in between.
These sparks will be an important catalyst for fuel combustion and work in the engine. That’s why checking spark plugs is expected if the vehicle fails to start or the engine is suspected.
Many people were forced to do Honda Del Sol Engine Swap just because it was too late to detect errors in the above parts.
What Are NGK Iridium spark plugs?
NGK Iridium spark plugs, or Iridium spark plugs, are among the famous and best-performing variants available today. Therefore, you can easily find this product line in many different car models.
With electrodes made from Iridium, this NGK product line is more durable when withstanding vast amounts of heat. Low wear and tear also minimize the damage when used for a long time.
Not only that, but the ability to discharge more efficiently also helps the vehicle activation process improve in terms of time. You won’t have to worry about working hard to start your vehicle anymore.
In addition, NGK Iridium spark plugs also possess features that help increase system stability when operating at high speeds. So this line will be the right choice if you use high-performance vehicles.
How To Gap Iridium Spark Plugs?
To make the process of Gap Iridium spark plugs easier and more accurate, you should carefully refer to the information that I mentioned in the section below. This part plays a vital role in the operation of the vehicle. So you must follow the instructions and be as careful as possible when approaching.
Step 1
The first step will always be the preparation for the gap. Finding a well-ventilated and well-lit location to perform the operation is best. Also, let the engine cool down before attempting to interfere with any mechanism, including spark plugs.
Then it would help if you had some ready spark plug gap tool iridium for more effortless operation. In therapy, gauge or feeler gauge and alkali types are indispensable. In addition, you will need screwdrivers and some clean towels.
Step 2
Locate spark plugs through the instructions in the media attachments or information on the internet. Next, you must find the right place to put this detail.
Step 3
Use tools such as screwdrivers to remove the fixing mechanisms for this part, if present, and slowly remove spark plugs from their original positions.
But please note that we need to ensure that operations such as rotating or pulling out follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Using too much force or the wrong process will bring significant consequences.
While it’s not mandatory, you should use this opportunity to clean the device with a clean cloth.
After a long operation, dirt and other harmful agents will undoubtedly stick to the surface of Iridium spark plugs. Some users even reported problems with Cataclean also affects spark plug cleaning.
Complete the abovementioned cleaning to avoid these issues affecting your vehicle’s performance.
Step 4
Next, you must use specialized measuring tools such as a gap gauge or feeler gauge to determine the distance between the electrodes. Perform these steps more than once for the most accurate results.
Then we have to write down the results on paper and compare them with the parameters the manufacturer recommends. If the difference is too high, it also means that we will need it as soon as possible.
Step 5
If the spark plugs have no problem, you can skip this step 5 and go straight to reassembling the device and continuing to use the car.
However, if we detect something unusual, we must base it on the difference to determine how to restore this part.
- Size up: You will need a spark plug tool or needle nose pliers to perform the sizing process. Next, we need to gently bend the ground wire so that the position of this part reaches the required height. Remember to apply enough force and avoid direct contact with metal tools with the Iridium electrodes.
- Size reduction: The steps are the same as when you try to increase the size, but the difference is that we need to bend the grounding belt to reduce the height.
Step 6
After the operation, you need to check the distance to see if it suits your needs. If not, continue to adjust until it matches the numbers recommended by the manufacturer.
Finally, we need to reinstall the Iridium spark plugs in the correct position, close the lid and continue the operation.
Do You Need To Gap Iridium spark plugs?
Gapping iridium spark plugs NGK is essential in all cases. Because this action will help reshape the spacing of the electrodes, thereby changing the way this part works as well.
With spark plugs significantly impacting vehicle startup and operation, tweaks to increase this part’s performance are essential.
In some cases, the above action will help you quickly solve dozens of errors.
How To Check Gap Iridium Spark Plugs?
The gap testing process for Iridium spark plugs is more straightforward than you might imagine. With just a few simple steps I introduce below, we can do it.
Step 1
The first step of the gap or check gap process is to prepare a sensor or gas meter, depending on your preference or ability to pay.
Step 2
Connect the prepared tools to spark plugs and measure the distance between the two electrodes. If you can’t touch both locations simultaneously, we will have to close the gap with appropriate actions. In other cases, you will be able to notice noticeable differences, a sign that you need to grab Iridium spark plugs as soon as possible.
Step 3
If the issues are absent, you must analyze the data again to get the most accurate results.
FAQs
Are you supposed to gap iridium spark plugs?
Usually, the Iridium spark plug line will only need a gap sometimes. Some products have even gone through the pre-alignment steps since they were still in the factory and are ready to serve you without manipulation.
But sometimes you still need to check and gap again if you want to maintain the performance of this detail.
Are Denso iridium spark plugs pre-gapped?
Denso iridium spark plugs is a product line that has been gaped since production, so you don’t need to worry too much about this problem.
What are the symptoms of too much spark plug gap?
Excessive gaping will also bring problems, like when the department has yet to go through the gap steps. The most obvious sign of this phenomenon is a drop in engine performance, starting problems, or an inability to start the vehicle.
How long does NGK Iridium plug last?
Many studies show that most of these devices can work up to 3-4,000 hours. That’s why the best answer is when to change iridium plugs after these milestones.
Are NGK iridium pre-gapped?
All NGK spark plugs have gone through gaps since they were still on factory production lines.
Conclusion
With the knowledge I shared in today’s article, you have learned how to gap iridium spark plugs and ensure the process’s accuracy. And remember to make good use of this knowledge to maintain the vehicle’s performance when moving.