chicagocls

Hi,

I had my mechanic install new NGK laser platinum spark plugs, they are the exact OEM plugs called out in the owners manual. He had to increase the gap of each of the plugs, even though they were supposed to be set to our factory gap, because he claimed they usually come in smaller than the spec. I found it a little suprising that all 6 plugs had to be opened up to reach the .044" gap. Now my gas mileage decreased by about 3-4 mpg. Anyone have any similar experiences?

Scepter

iTrader: (2)

why dont you try running some seafoam through the vacuum lines? steadies idle and helps mpg a little too.

cant say ive had the same experience because i do all my own work on my cars unless its major or i just dont have the tools/space.

new to the forum it looks like, mind sharing some info on your car?

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

He shouldn't have touched the gap.

I replaced my plugs with the OEM ones and I'm fine without messing with the gap at all.

richardparker

iTrader: (7)

I thought those plugs came pre gapped.
Gap is probabally to big now or he damaged 1 or some of the plugs. To big of a gap and fuel will burn like crap."poor gas milage".
I would pull them,Inspect them,and most likely toss them.
Nice way to ruin your high dollar plugs by gapping them wrong.
I would buy new one's and install yourself.

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

+1, the OEM plugs do not need to be gapped, they are pre-gapped. Plus gapping them could have damaged the thin platnium electrode.

typeR

i gapped mine to .050 better torque

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

Yeah but your special....

Mine were pre gapped & just put them in. My car runs fine.

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

chicagocls

Thanks for the feedback. My car is an 02 CL type S with 103K on it. I would have preferred the mechanic not to mess with the gap at all, but he used to work at an Acura dealership and thinks he knows what he's doing.

I've changed the plugs on a V6 accord I used to own myself, but just figured that the rear plugs on this car are hard to get at (looking at the posts about changing them on this site). I used some Lucas tune-up in a bottle before changing out the plugs and I cleaned my K&N filter beforehand as well. The change came right after the plugs were replaced. The mechanic also said my stock plugs were gapped too narrow (according to his measurement tool).

j.khordz

I got to a Acura/Honda mechanic. He hates seeing after market spark plugs. I had some in my car from previous owner. My car ran so much better once I put in OEM sparks. He also hates after market engine mounts.

chicagocls

The plugs are the same NGK laser platinum plugs that you buy at the dealer.... NGK pzfr6f-11. I'm just suprised that the mechanic had to increase the gap on all the plugs and he made it sound like that was very common, even with OEM plugs. Would increasing the gap slightly reduce gas mileage.....if so would it increase power, or is it just a lose lose situation (worse mileage & less power?)

Nitin

iTrader: (1)

Incorrectly gapped spark plugs will basically just make your engine run like shit. Misfires, rough idle, hesitation, and just poor overall performance can be expected.

CL-S progression 01

iTrader: (2)

when i bought my ngk iridium plugs, i checked the gap for shits and giggles and they appeared to be not where they were supposed to. but honestly i didn't trust the stupid gap circular thingy to work so i just trusted they were the right ones and sure enough... no problems. i changed them cause the car was taking 3-4 turns to start and one i did the new plugs, the car was insta-starting. huge difference there, with no ill effects

Rapture

wtf @ shit mechanics thinking they know more about our cars than the rest of us.

Aside from the dealer, I've only had ONE good experience with an independent mechanic shop since I've owned my Acura. Most of the guys around here really just wing it and try to talk me out of giving them pointers on how it should be done properly. F'ing excuse me for not wanting to have to come back here after you do a shit job.

It's like mechanics these days don't know wtf they're doing, but that doesn't stop them from taking pride in their work. /minirant

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

+1, I've even expressed more knowledge about my own Acura to various service techs and parts people at the local Acura dealership. They should hire at least some Acura enthusists to work at a dealership instead of a jack-of-all-trades (which I know is not true since each Acura technician gets specific Acura training).

Type JDM

Platinum plugs are always pre-gapped.

dave586270

iTrader: (3)

Plugs are all pre-gapped now. He shouldn't have messed with it, he's thinking old school. Just buy a new set and have him put 'em in or spend a half hour and replace them yourself. You should see things return to normal.

chicagocls

Thanks for the feedback........I'm thinking of buying 3 new plugs and replacing just the front ones. If my suspicions are right, it should make some improvement. I can then just leave the back ones alone.....would this do any harm (not having the back plugs match the front ones)?

I don't think I'm going to ask the mechanic to do it...they get insulted when you suggest that they did something less than perfect.

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

I highly would not recommend it. Why would you do that? The extra spark or power created from the new plugs in only 3 cylinders would create an unbalance and could cause a host of engine problems.

I say do all 6 or don't do them at all.

dave586270

iTrader: (3)

x2

Car runs on all 6 cylinders, if half run good and half run bad, the car still runs bad. Deff do them all. Just a waste of time to do half.

YeuEmMaiMai

^what this guy said

if you try to gap the plugs that go in a CL-S you will ruin them. they come pregapped from the factory for the specific application.

OP change all the plugs at once

chicagocls

I hear what you guys are saying....... I normally wouldn't consider replacing only 3 plugs. I just didn't want to feel like I wasted the cost of all 6 plugs and labor, but now I know......best to do the work yourself from the get go.

fsttyms1

Why not just try to regap the ones you have with a good feeler gauge??

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

NGK warns of trying to gap them. The warnings are the tips will break. IDK how true that is.