Wow, after adding the pulley and tune, I decided to regap my plugs to .034 and boy am I glad I did. I bought the car with 2300 miles on it and I am assuming the original plugs are still in the car. It's the NGK-R's with the Mercedes Emblem on them. Anyway, with 6500 miles on them, they were gapped anywhere from .034 to .044! What the heck! I'm surprised the car ran as well as it did without any indications. And boy was changing the plugs for the first time a killer! It took many hours scratching up my hands and so on. Not sure why the gaps were so far off. Do these plugs need to be regapped every 3k miles or so? Don't know if I can handle the headache going through all that again. Pass on your experiences....

 

Maybe having two plugs per cylinder compensated for the lack of gap consistency.

 

Most plugs should come gapped accurately from the factory. With only 6,500 miles on your plugs, they shouldn't have changed gap much from wear and erosion. Even if they did all of the plugs would still be close in gap to one another.

I always check the gap before installation anyway just to be sure. The plug could have been dropped or bumped during manufacture after the gap had been set and after final inspection. It also could have been dropped during installation at the engine plant. It doesn't take much as the side electrode is fairly soft. I believe most plug manufacturers recommend that you check the gap before installation.

The .010 difference you found tells me they went in that way. Your plugs can be off a bit and the electronic ignition will cover it up and you won't know by the engine performance.

I don't know if you saw it but Waldig did a great piece on changing the plugs. It might make it easier for you next time. It really helps to have small hands. It might save a few scrapes.

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...ht=spark+plugs

 

Thanks....Well appreciated!

 

Practice practice. My first time took me about 2 hours now i can do em in 30min.

 

I understand you need a special tool to remove the plug wire? True? Anyone have a pic of the tool? Where to purchase?

James

 

I use an open end wrench that fits snugly on the heat shield (18mm) and then use my free hand as a fulcrum - they pop right off.