Spark plug gap tool? Waste money?

[FreePenguin]

I want to buy a gapper for my future spark plug purchases, all of them. I have 2 lawn mowers, 2 motorcycles, 2 cars. I could get a 14mm only version for like 35, but this claims it will fit most universal plugs. which I assume lawn mowers/cars/bikes should fit these just fine. Ive honestly never checked a gap before I always just throw them in. question.

read a review for example he bought .032 plugs, he said to gap them at .025 and it will become .028 after bounce back. are you supposed to do them that way or just gap them to .028 and leave it? the video shows you stick a little metal feeler gauge, and then push the gapped down to clamp to the desired gap.

Is what I am looking at. its 100 bucks so expensive but if it would last forever and not break and actually do what I need, whatever id buy it.

I am buying new plugs when I get home, the ruthenium hx so will need a correct gapped.


Spark Plug Gap Tool - Universal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0832PRVNM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_tfSlFbG7X98NM

Sponsored

 

[Avispa]

Might make sense if you were in the repair business and gapped a whole lot of plugs or if you went to the track regularly and changed plugs every trip. Otherwise sounds like a needless expense. Bounce back? Never in 47 years of driving, and that includes back in the day of leaded gasoline when you were lucky to get 12,000 miles on a set

 

[tom_sprecher]

Get the simple wire type for less that $10. I've been using one for over 40 years from when I was a motorcycle mechanic. What you are looking at in not necessary and a waste of money.

 

[FreePenguin]

I read this thread on the subject. My fear is Spending 100’on this, and it breaking. Do you think this would be stout forever?

I saw similar style plug gappers and within 5 bucks of this. And didn’t look as nice. 95 vs 100. (99 on their direct site)

Here
https://bmw.spoolstreet.com/threads/buck-performance-spark-plug-gap-tool-review.3741/

 

[FreePenguin]

Get the simple wire type for less that $10. I've been using one for over 40 years from when I was a motorcycle mechanic. What you are looking at in not necessary and a waste of money.

I’ve never used any type of gapped before. I see a circle thing with square wires. About to google how those work

 

[Elp_jc]

All you need in one of those spark plug tools that have like a 'C' notch, but might take a long time to get a gap just right. With iridium spark plugs, you can't lever against them anymore. Yes, the metal might 'bounce back' a little immediately after bending it, but once at the right gap, it'd stay like that. Having said that, I haven't had to gap a spark plug in decades; I just buy the correct one already gapped. Risky to gap them nowadays, especially with multiple ground electrodes.

 

[tom_sprecher]

Like this.

 

[Elp_jc]

Yep. That's exactly what I have from decades ago... but haven't used it in decades either . I just check gaps with a good set of feeler gauges, since I wouldn't trust that cheapo tool for that... but it's probably close enough, if one of the few are the correct one for you.

 

[ORRadtech]

Yes, that's the tool you need or something like it. IMO there's absolutely no need to spend $100 on a plug gapper.
Theses are the tools I've collected over the years.

The middle on is my favorite.
The circular one is really inexpensive, like a dollar or two, and sometimes free at auto parts stores. It works just fine too.
The bottom is simply a set of feeler gauges. You have to bend with another tool.

Two notes,
1, most spark plugs I've bought lately have come pre gapped. I've checked them and not had to adjust at all.
2, newer spark plugs sometimes (often?) have a coated electrode and you need to be very careful not to scratch that coating while gapping them.

 

[FreePenguin]

Yep. That's exactly what I have from decades ago. And a good set of feeler gauges, since I wouldn't trust that cheapo tool for that... but it's probably close enough, if you happen to need one of the few gaps there.

Which tool are you calling cheapo? Thanks for replies and videos


I watched a video where it showed the tool I had and he said you put feeler gauge, Pull it out and just twist very lightly til you’re where you want. They said they are pretty solid designs as they push directly down. You are right

They said don’t smash the feeler into the electrode lol. I didn’t know that.

Kinda odd in their own product video they would demonstrate it that way.

 

[Elp_jc]

Cheapo=don't cost much . So guess which one it is .

 

[ice445]

I use the wire type to bend the ground strap and feeler gauges to check the gap. Always worked for me, and won't damage platinum or iridium electrodes. Honestly bounce back sounds like someone being overly paranoid. Gap doesn't need to be THAT exact, even on boosted applications.

 

[Endokendal]

Yes, that's the tool you need or something like it. IMO there's absolutely no need to spend $100 on a plug gapper.
Theses are the tools I've collected over the years.

The middle on is my favorite.
The circular one is really inexpensive, like a dollar or two, and sometimes free at auto parts stores. It works just fine too.
The bottom is simply a set of feeler gauges. You have to bend with another tool.

Two notes,
1, most spark plugs I've bought lately have come pre gapped. I've checked them and not had to adjust at all.
2, newer spark plugs sometimes (often?) have a coated electrode and you need to be very careful not to scratch that coating while gapping them.

i just bought a version of the lower one off Amazon for like $7.99... the Whipple complete kit comes with plugs but says you have to gap them before installing...

Hotop Stainless Steel Feeler Gauge Dual Marked Metric and Imperial Gap Measuring Tool (0.04-0.88 mm, 32 Blades) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XHXJG31/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_RH2lFb4XHQFAY

 

[Cobra Jet]

Yes, that's the tool you need or something like it. IMO there's absolutely no need to spend $100 on a plug gapper.
Theses are the tools I've collected over the years.

The middle on is my favorite.
The circular one is really inexpensive, like a dollar or two, and sometimes free at auto parts stores. It works just fine too.
The bottom is simply a set of feeler gauges. You have to bend with another tool.

Two notes,
1, most spark plugs I've bought lately have come pre gapped. I've checked them and not had to adjust at all.
2, newer spark plugs sometimes (often?) have a coated electrode and you need to be very careful not to scratch that coating while gapping them.

I have all of the above and the wire looped disc gapper... and also have this one from Jacobs Electronics:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/jac-380700

I’ve had all those gapping tools for many years as well. I always come back to the circular ramped disc gapper, just very easy to use and never an issue.



OP:
Do not even follow the “Spoolstreet” response you posted above... someone there is on the ganja or crack... I’ve never heard of anyone closing the spark gap, then gapping a plug at .018 and the electrode magically bounces back to .026... makes no damn sense at all. That person does not know how to either read or properly use a spark plug gapping tool. LMAO!!

——
Pre-gapped plugs should not always be assumed “correct” all the time. Even if the plug is supposedly pre-gapped, I’ve always checked all new plug gap specs before installation.

 

[NightmareMoon]

He’s saying if you put a gauge in the gap of the right thickness and then smack it the spark plug to close the gap, the spark plug it will bounce back a little. Makes sense to me.

normally I think what we do is close the gap a bit too much and then open it, thats probably the normal procedure?

I just did a plug replacement on my N/A GT and 7 of 8 of the the NKG plugs I bought were gapped correctly. One needed fixing.

I used a micrometer to check the gaps but feeler gauges would have worked better.

Sponsored