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spark plug gapping??!!
Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 7:05 am
by lordsaber
lol this is sad but as of 2 days ago it came to my attention that spark plugs need to be gapped to get peak performance, or so i heard.... if so, whats the size gap i need, or where can i go to find it. also what point would it serve? i have a standard 5 spd base vibe 2004. please advise. thanks
Re: spark plug gapping??!! (lordsaber)
Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 7:14 am
by BlueCrush
All spark plugs for the Vibe should already be pre-gapped. There should be no need to adjust them.
Re: spark plug gapping??!! (lordsaber)
Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 7:25 pm
by joatmon
if you want to check/set the gap, the 2004 Vibe owner's manual, ( free download at
http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1010 ) page 5-102 says the spark plug gap is 0.043 inch (1.1 mm) for both tne base and GT engines
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 1:41 am
by northvibe
for sure the iridium plugs come pregapped, do not try to gap those it will ruin the prong things.
Re: (northvibe)
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 2:02 am
by drunkenmaxx
Quote, originally posted by northvibe » prong things.can someone explain that without the technobabble?
Re: (drunkenmaxx)
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 2:48 am
by kcorona
prong things = ground electrode
Re: (kcorona)
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 5:44 am
by Sublimewind
Quote, originally posted by kcorona »prong things = ground electrodeIt's not the ground electrode you have to worry about with them, but the iridum portion it's self, it's brittle and easy to bend break such a fine electrode... Quote » also what point would it serve?Gapping sets the distance between the electrodes, as the pressure in the cylinder rises the resistance goes up, as the temp goes up resistance ALSO goes up... the ignition system is designed to throw a spark across a certin distance (gap) if the gap is to large, misfiring can happen, if it is to small, the spark may be shielded but the ground electrode causeing ununiform burning of the mixture.
Re: spark plug gapping??!! (lordsaber)
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 9:35 am
by mathteacher'04vibe
I know that Bosch plat 4's are not supposed to be gapped. However, it is possible to gap other iridiums. I gapped my NGK's and I am glad I did--they were way off the 0.043 recommendation!BTW, all cars have a sticker on/under the hood that gives the spark plug gap info--it often gives the engine size, gap info, and sometimes even the belt routing.
Re: spark plug gapping??!! (mathteacher'04vibe)
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 9:49 am
by kevera
I agree,I always check mine too.The NGK's I got when I installed the s/c were off by a bit .So,just be careful if you have to adjust the gap.
Re: spark plug gapping??!! (kevera)
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 10:37 pm
by Whelan
I never understood the point of the Bosch +2 or +4. I had a set of +2 and never saw any difference in anything.
Re: spark plug gapping??!! (Whelan)
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 4:40 am
by Sublimewind
Quote, originally posted by Whelan »I never understood the point of the Bosch +2 or +4. I had a set of +2 and never saw any difference in anything.I have a mechanic friend He drag races snowmobiles, that wouldn't put Bosch ANYTHING in the sled of the guy he was about the race... He says they DO suck that bad... NGK...... NGK...