Turbobink

iTrader: (2)

Sorry for what may be a silly little Q but I've been reading, trying to find the recommended spark plug gap and have really found no firm information and if I do find some info, the source of that info is not provided.

I've reviewed the FSM and the owner's manual and those two publications state that gapping plugs is not recommended and neither provides any numbers.

I've read a gap range of .039 to .043 is recommended ... but again the source of this data is not known.

The NGK website states that an air gap of .044 is appropriate.

I've been provided with some info here (Maxima.org) that indicates that a gap of .040 is best.

Anyone have any real numbers based on real manufacturer specifications?

For what it's worth, I'm currently running NGK coppers gapped to .044 which, regardless of the numbers provided above you choose to adhere to, is wrong.

I'm not looking to spark a debate about plug materials I'm just looking for real gap numbers based on real/necessary specs.

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

The gap specifications are for a platinum plug. You are running coppers. I have not seen a spec for copper plugs in the VQ engine, so you are on your own to experiment. I would start with a .045 and see if the engine misses at high rpm. If not go to .05 and test. Copper conducts power better than platinum, so you should be able to go a little bigger on the gap and get a fatter spark.

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

How were you able to determine that? Just wondering.

The Wizard

iTrader: (43)

0.044 is the stock gap

Turbobink

iTrader: (2)

Which part?

My current gap is at .044 cuz I gapped the plugs myself.

My conclusion that that gap is wrong is on accounta I've not found any clear info indicating that .044 is correct.

I've only found reference to .039 - .043 and .040.

... until now anyway with Wiz's reference to a .044

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

OK I thought you gapped to .044, drove around and found something, perhaps from OBDII, telling you things were not right.

I just looked at the FSM and it specified a more general range, o.039 to 0.043. This suggests to me that the Gap width is not as critical a measurement because the ignition system will compensate....just keep it in the ballpark. Since this specification is for platinum, and copper conducts better, I would assume then that a slightly wider gap for the copper plugs would make sense

But that's just me, going on a feeling