hi could enyone please tell me if changing the gap settings on a spark plug is okay to do i want to change my spark plugs as my car is four years old now and they have never being changed i took my old ngk plugs out and they are the same as some bosch plugs that i have had a while the only difference being the gap settingi measured the gap and have now very carefully changed the gap settings on the bosch plugs to match the gap setting on old ngk plugs am i ok to do this thanks in advance michael
Is it okay Changing spark plug gap setting
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Changing the gap of a set of plugs isn't in itself a problem. As it is the Bosch plugs may not be compatible with the CMax engine The main thing with spark plugs is not the actual gap but more the specification of the "heat range" of the plug itself. This can also affect how hot the engine runs and give all sorts of erronious problems especially with regard to "pinking" due mostly to temperature change
You prbably ought to check that the two model numbers are compatible before you put the bosch ones in. With so many more electronics in the engine systems you can't be certain just what effect a wrong plug might have till it is possibly too late
You prbably ought to check that the two model numbers are compatible before you put the bosch ones in. With so many more electronics in the engine systems you can't be certain just what effect a wrong plug might have till it is possibly too late
WOW my car went back to the dealer today for a problem to be fixed and they put these bosch spark plugs in for me free of charge i told then i had purchesed them and changed the gap settings they told me they would check them and have fitted them i hope they are ok i am a bit worried now as it says on the box they are for fords
what do i do i dont think the bosch ones were that code is the code because the gap is already set for the car or because the plugs are different how would i know if they were the wrong type they look the same as the ngk ones only difference the ends at top and gap and the ford mechanic who i must say is a rare thing and very helpfulltold me they would check them first i feel a breakdown coming on
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Not absolutely so
Do you remember what you bought them for in the first place including the engine size (probably should give us a clue as to the code
A brief explanation of spark plug design
Plugs like everything else have an optimum operating temperature and the design of the nose (the bit surrounding the central electrode)is changed slightly to accomodate differences in the combustion chamber temperature
If the plug was for a hotter running engine then you may see a drop in MPG as the plug won't be working properly
If the plug was for a cooler running engine then providing you don't do long journers on hot days at high speed on the motorway there may well be no problem and for shorter stop start journeys it may well appear to be OK but just be careful
You may well be able to see the white porcelain part of the plug just by taking the plug cap off. The model number of the plug should be marked on this bit
Do you remember what you bought them for in the first place including the engine size (probably should give us a clue as to the code
A brief explanation of spark plug design
Plugs like everything else have an optimum operating temperature and the design of the nose (the bit surrounding the central electrode)is changed slightly to accomodate differences in the combustion chamber temperature
If the plug was for a hotter running engine then you may see a drop in MPG as the plug won't be working properly
If the plug was for a cooler running engine then providing you don't do long journers on hot days at high speed on the motorway there may well be no problem and for shorter stop start journeys it may well appear to be OK but just be careful
You may well be able to see the white porcelain part of the plug just by taking the plug cap off. The model number of the plug should be marked on this bit
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