1998 Civic - Spark Plug Gap Setting

Hello,

I am in the process of replacing my '98 Civic's spark plugs and have
purchased some new Autolite brand ("Platinum" model) spark plugs that
appear to be gapped at .040". However, the specifications for the
Civic are to have the gap be .044". Should I bother trying to widen
the gap the extra .004"? What would happen if I did not have the
correct gap?

Thanks,
Kevin

Kevin G. wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I am in the process of replacing my '98 Civic's spark plugs and have
> purchased some new Autolite brand ("Platinum" model) spark plugs that
> appear to be gapped at .040". However, the specifications for the
> Civic are to have the gap be .044". Should I bother trying to widen
> the gap the extra .004"? What would happen if I did not have the
> correct gap?
>
> Thanks,
> Kevin
>
return these plugs and get ngk or denso - don't bother gapping them.
don't bother with bosch either. seriously. those of us that have been
around the block a few times and that have tried many different plugs
will all tell you, ngk or denso in honda. nothing else works as well or
as reliably. and both those factors save you money.

jim beam wrote:
> return these plugs and get ngk or denso - don't bother gapping them.
> don't bother with bosch either. seriously. those of us that have been
> around the block a few times and that have tried many different plugs
> will all tell you, ngk or denso in honda. nothing else works as well or
> as reliably. and both those factors save you money.

-------------------------------

Like Jim said. Take them back.

'Curly'

motsco_ wrote:
> jim beam wrote:
>> return these plugs and get ngk or denso - don't bother gapping them.
>> don't bother with bosch either. seriously. those of us that have
>> been around the block a few times and that have tried many different
>> plugs will all tell you, ngk or denso in honda. nothing else works as
>> well or as reliably. and both those factors save you money.
>
> -------------------------------
>
> Like Jim said. Take them back.

I think you people put WAY too much emphasis on specific brands of plugs
being "better" for certain cars. My '87 Accord has been running the
same set of Bosch Platinums for over two years with nary a hiccup. In
fact, I only just recently had to pull them out to track a blown head
gasket (RIP) and they're still in good condition.

Thanks, everyone, for your replies.

Brand name aside, is there any danger to me installing spark plugs
that have a .004" less gap than Honda's recommendations?

Are there any tools (that I already have) that I can use to widen the
gap besides a spark plug gapping tool? Will needle-nose pliers work?

Thanks,
Kevin

On Oct 7, 3:19 am, Matt Ion > wrote:
> motsco_ wrote:
> > jim beam wrote:
> >> return these plugs and get ngk or denso - don't bother gapping them.
> >> don't bother with bosch either. seriously. those of us that have
> >> been around the block a few times and that have tried many different
> >> plugs will all tell you, ngk or denso in honda. nothing else works as
> >> well or as reliably. and both those factors save you money.
>
> > -------------------------------
>
> > Like Jim said. Take them back.
>
> I think you people put WAY too much emphasis on specific brands of plugs
> being "better" for certain cars. My '87 Accord has been running the
> same set of Bosch Platinums for over two years with nary a hiccup. In
> fact, I only just recently had to pull them out to track a blown head
> gasket (RIP) and they're still in good condition.

"Kevin G." > wrote in news:1191726102.200920.321500
@r29g2000hsg.googlegroups.com:

> Hello,
>
> I am in the process of replacing my '98 Civic's spark plugs and have
> purchased some new Autolite brand ("Platinum" model) spark plugs that
> appear to be gapped at .040". However, the specifications for the
> Civic are to have the gap be .044". Should I bother trying to widen
> the gap the extra .004"? What would happen if I did not have the
> correct gap?
>


Buy the correct plugs. The ones whose numbers end in "-11" are already
pregapped to .044". NGK is correct. Autolite is not.

If the gap is too small by .004", you'll get ever so slightly lower mileage
and ever so slightly higher emissions. You won't even notice the
difference.


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

"Kevin G." > wrote in
ups.com:

> Thanks, everyone, for your replies.
>
> Brand name aside, is there any danger to me installing spark plugs
> that have a .004" less gap than Honda's recommendations?



Not really. See my other post.

But it's still not correct. You have an emissions system that's pretty
sensitive. Use of the wrong -- or wrongly gapped -- plugs increases the
probability of a Check Engine light illumination.



>
> Are there any tools (that I already have) that I can use to widen the
> gap besides a spark plug gapping tool? Will needle-nose pliers work?



That would not be smart. You should use a spark plug gapping tool. And,
unfortunately, it is way too easy to scratch the platinum coating while
gapping,in which case the coating will erode off in no time.

Also, burrs caused by pliers will cause hot spots on the plugs, which can
lead to pre-ignition and engine damage.

If I were you, I'd bite the bullet and buy the correct plugs as given on
your hood sticker.




--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Kevin G. wrote:
> Thanks, everyone, for your replies.
>
> Brand name aside, is there any danger to me installing spark plugs
> that have a .004" less gap than Honda's recommendations?
>
> Are there any tools (that I already have) that I can use to widen the
> gap besides a spark plug gapping tool? Will needle-nose pliers work?
>
> Thanks,
> Kevin

if your objective in using these plugs is to have something longer
lasting or something that "preforms" better, consider ngk iridiums.


>
> On Oct 7, 3:19 am, Matt Ion > wrote:
>> motsco_ wrote:
>>> jim beam wrote:
>>>> return these plugs and get ngk or denso - don't bother gapping them.
>>>> don't bother with bosch either. seriously. those of us that have
>>>> been around the block a few times and that have tried many different
>>>> plugs will all tell you, ngk or denso in honda. nothing else works as
>>>> well or as reliably. and both those factors save you money.
>>> -------------------------------
>>> Like Jim said. Take them back.
>> I think you people put WAY too much emphasis on specific brands of plugs
>> being "better" for certain cars. My '87 Accord has been running the
>> same set of Bosch Platinums for over two years with nary a hiccup. In
>> fact, I only just recently had to pull them out to track a blown head
>> gasket (RIP) and they're still in good condition.
>
>

jim beam wrote:
> Kevin G. wrote:
>> Thanks, everyone, for your replies.
>>
>> Brand name aside, is there any danger to me installing spark plugs
>> that have a .004" less gap than Honda's recommendations?
>>
>> Are there any tools (that I already have) that I can use to widen the
>> gap besides a spark plug gapping tool? Will needle-nose pliers work?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Kevin
>
> if your objective in using these plugs is to have something longer
> lasting or something that "preforms" better, consider ngk iridiums.

i'm sorry, performs, not preforms.


>
>
>>
>> On Oct 7, 3:19 am, Matt Ion > wrote:
>>> motsco_ wrote:
>>>> jim beam wrote:
>>>>> return these plugs and get ngk or denso - don't bother gapping them.
>>>>> don't bother with bosch either. seriously. those of us that have
>>>>> been around the block a few times and that have tried many different
>>>>> plugs will all tell you, ngk or denso in honda. nothing else works as
>>>>> well or as reliably. and both those factors save you money.
>>>> -------------------------------
>>>> Like Jim said. Take them back.
>>> I think you people put WAY too much emphasis on specific brands of plugs
>>> being "better" for certain cars. My '87 Accord has been running the
>>> same set of Bosch Platinums for over two years with nary a hiccup. In
>>> fact, I only just recently had to pull them out to track a blown head
>>> gasket (RIP) and they're still in good condition.
>>
>>

Thanks again, everyone, for your replies. It looks like I should be
focusing my attention on NGK or Bosch spark plugs, which are both the
exact gap that I need.

Now that we have taken care of the spark plugs, I have also already
purchased the Bosch spark plug wire set. Is this a "bad" wire set? I
am reading some negative comments about Bosch in this post. If I did
purchase the NGK plugs, would they "mesh" good with the Bosch wires?
Or, should I stick with Bosch plugs since I already have the Bosch
wires?

Thanks for your continued assistance.

Kevin

On Oct 7, 12:01 pm, jim beam > wrote:
> jim beam wrote:
> > Kevin G. wrote:
> >> Thanks, everyone, for your replies.
>
> >> Brand name aside, is there any danger to me installing spark plugs
> >> that have a .004" less gap than Honda's recommendations?
>
> >> Are there any tools (that I already have) that I can use to widen the
> >> gap besides a spark plug gapping tool? Will needle-nose pliers work?
>
> >> Thanks,
> >> Kevin
>
> > if your objective in using these plugs is to have something longer
> > lasting or something that "preforms" better, consider ngk iridiums.
>
> i'm sorry, performs, not preforms.
>
>
>
> >> On Oct 7, 3:19 am, Matt Ion > wrote:
> >>> motsco_ wrote:
> >>>> jim beam wrote:
> >>>>> return these plugs and get ngk or denso - don't bother gapping them.
> >>>>> don't bother with bosch either. seriously. those of us that have
> >>>>> been around the block a few times and that have tried many different
> >>>>> plugs will all tell you, ngk or denso in honda. nothing else works as
> >>>>> well or as reliably. and both those factors save you money.
> >>>> -------------------------------
> >>>> Like Jim said. Take them back.
> >>> I think you people put WAY too much emphasis on specific brands of plugs
> >>> being "better" for certain cars. My '87 Accord has been running the
> >>> same set of Bosch Platinums for over two years with nary a hiccup. In
> >>> fact, I only just recently had to pull them out to track a blown head
> >>> gasket (RIP) and they're still in good condition.