Spark plugs and proper gapping

[drewkaree]

Came across this, and even though it's 14 years old (with SUPER annoying unnecessary background music), I still learned something from it. Never considered that the coin-type spark plug gap tools could damage the plug, and I've since got an order in for this Stanley Proto gap tool recommended by @FSH 210 Sport in the past. Considering how sensitive these Yamaha's seem to be in regards to the plugs, and the potential for issues with leaving plugs in long-term, the iridium or other fancy metal plugs don't seem to offer more value for the increase in cost vs a "regular" plug that I just replace once a year (or every other year, if they're good enough).

For all of you who just assume the "pre-gapped" plugs you buy are good enough, all of the NGK's that I've bought were supposedly done, and while the number is very low, as a percentage, it's high enough (AND recommended by the manual) to check the gap on each plug prior to installation. If you're going to DIY, why would you skip the few seconds required to check the gap? At MAYBE 5 seconds per plug, that's 30 seconds for my boat, vs NOT checking to save that time, and possibly having issues out on the boat costing me HOURS to get back to port, as well as who knows how long to troubleshoot it?

Anyway, hope this helps for those unfamiliar with what or how gapping a spark plug is done.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

That was a heckuva gap they threw on that irridium plug lol!

One of the many levels of Dante’s inferno produced that music…that would be awesome music while waiting on hold.

You have to wonder why that disc style gapping tool was ever invented..