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Buell Forum » Big, Bad & Dirty (Buell XB12X Ulysses Adventure Board) » Archive through October 09, 2015 » Gap an Iridium Spark Plug, or not? « Previous Next »

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Trikebubble
Posted on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 - 03:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I bought the NGK DCPR8EIX iridium plugs for my 09 Ulysses. The NGK website says the gap should be 0.035.

The parts counter guy at Lordco said that iridium plugs should not be gapped. (I have not checked the gap yet on them, but wondered if their was a consensus if the stock gap is not the suggested 0.035
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Tootal
Posted on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 - 04:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Just throw them in. They don't want you to gap them because they are so easy to damage. If you do don't use a flat blade. Use the wire that doesn't make a U. Use the end of the wire because the tang has a cut out in it and you have to measure up inside of it. Be gentle!
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Arry
Posted on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 - 11:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You could measure them, and if you're not happy, take them back to the parts guy that said not to gap them. I think I changed the gap on mine, slightly and gently, but it might not be recommended.
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Etennuly
Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2015 - 10:35 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I have found over the years that nearly all spark plug's ground electrodes are shaped to a perfect 90 degree angle when the gap is correct.

Sometimes you will end up with a new plug with a slightly bent electrode, it can be a good thing to check, I hold them up to a light source to visually inspect for a 90 degree angle. I did end up with a set of eight new plugs one time that had every ground electrode bent to the center electrode. Yeah.....I sent those back.
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Phelan
Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2015 - 11:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

A little off the topic, buy I recently bought a Dodge Intrepid, and had the CEL come on. Read the code, and it was a cylinder 1 misfire, so I pulled the plug to check the gap. Factory gap is supposed to be 050". These plugs may have been set at that, but didn't look like they were ever changed in 110,000 miles, because there was .025" worn off of the arm, making the gap .075". Needless to say I replaced all the plugs.

As far as gapping iridiums, I've checked my iridium plugs buy always with the round wire gappers, and very carefully.

(Message edited by phelan on October 01, 2015)
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Arcticktm
Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2015 - 11:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I've been told the same advice occasionally. But, since I have trust issues, I ALWAYS check the gap. I have normally found them to be close enough, but sometimes needed to make gentle adjustments.
Below is from NGK website:


"FAQs - Spark Plugs

Q: Do I need to set the "gap" when installing a new set of plugs?

A: Maybe. A spark plug part number might fit hundreds of different engines from many different manufacturers. Although the NGK factory will set the gap to a pre-selected setting, this may not be the right gap for your particular engine. The incorrect plug gap for your engine can contribute to a high rate of misfires, loss of power, plug fouling, poor fuel economy, and accelerated plug wear. It is always best to check the gap against the manufacturer's specifications. If adjusting the gap on fine wire or precious metal plugs such as platinum or iridium be very careful not to apply any pressure or prying force to the fine wire center electrode or insulator as they can be damaged. The gap should be adjusted by only moving the ground electrode.

Another consideration that should be taken into account is the extent of any modifications that you may have made to the engine. As an example, when you raise compression or add forced induction (a turbo system, nitrous or supercharger kit) you must reduce the gap (about .004" for every 50 hp you add). However, when you add a high power ignition system (such as those offered by MSD, Crane, Nology) you can open the gap from .002-.005".

If you have any questions, please contact the NGK Sparkplugs Tech Staff"
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Etennuly
Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2015 - 07:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Good info Jim.

This is also why I use AC plugs in GM, Motorcraft in Ford, HD in Buell, etc., they is kinda made for 'em.
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Arcticktm
Posted on Thursday, October 08, 2015 - 02:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I found that the iridium NGK's I bought from Al at American Sport Bike were pretty close to dead on IIRC.
I just wanted a little more long term fouling resistance that the iridium's promised, and I didn't think you could get iridium's from HD. well, that and I try to avoid buyign anything from HD. that is the only reason I got a K&N air filter!
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Etennuly
Posted on Friday, October 09, 2015 - 10:18 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yeah, HD has the iridium plugs, back in the day I even bought a set with the Buell label on them.
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