How Do I Gap The Platinum 2/4 Plugs?

North Coast Cab · North Coast Cab's Garage

Hmmmm....no idea.

John

surflvr911sc · surflvr911sc's Garage

You buy them according to the application or gap you need - pre-gapped.

masraum · 12-26-2003, 10:34 AM

Yep, you don't gap them. You don't even gap the single electrode platinum plugs.

911pcars · 12-26-2003, 08:08 PM

"You don't even gap the single electrode platinum plugs."

Really? What manufacturer recommends no gap? What if there's no gap out of the box?

Sherwood

Britwrench · 12-27-2003, 04:33 AM

Which manufacturer recommends no gap? If the plug has no gap take it back because it is faulty. Take a platinum plug out of the box, check it and install it.

VincentVega · 12-27-2003, 04:37 AM

The gap is actually different with platinums from what I've seen. Not to open a can of worms, but I've read where platinum plugs conduct less current, while they last longer then standard plugs.

73911guy · 12-27-2003, 07:55 AM

I believe it was the National PCA Tech Advisor who said that there may be an application for platinum tipped spark plugs but that he was sure it wasn't in air cooled Porsche motors.

Jim

masraum · 08:34 AM

I didn't say "no gap", I said the end consumer shouldn't gap (change the gap from the manufacturer) of the Bosch platinums. They are pregapped from the factory and should have a rigid cap over the electrode end that keeps them from being knocked around and changed. If you find that despite the cap they have been changed, then they have probably been opened and messed with already or run over by a car in which case you would probably want to return them in exchange for some new ones. The electrode in the center is very small, much thinner than the pencil lead in a mechanical pencil, the center electrode could be damaged if you try to adjust the gap.

And where in the world have you ever bought a plug that had no gap? If you have ever gotten a plug that had the electrode bent so that the gap was closed then it's been dropped really hard or several times, take it back and get another.

masraum · 12-27-2003, 08:58 AM

I stand partially corrected. From the Bosch website

http://www.boschusa.com/AutoParts/FAQs/SparkPlugs/

Q. Are Bosch Spark Plugs pre-gapped at the factory?
A. Most Bosch Spark Plugs are factory pre-gapped for popular vehicle applications. The gap measurements are indicated either on the box, or by the part number located on the spark plug shell.

* X suffix = .044"
* Y suffix = .060"
* Z suffix = .080"

Gaps should never by adjusted on Platinum+4 or Platinum2. Bosch Platinum+4 and Platinum2 have factory pre-set gaps, and should never be gapped by the installer.

Bosch Platinum and Super Spark Plugs also have factory-set gaps. For most plugs, the setting is shown on the plug package. These gaps are correct for the most popular applications of these plugs. There are applications, however, for which the gap setting has to be adjusted according to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications. To avoid damage to a spark plug in the process of adjusting the gap, it is important to follow these guidelines:

* To widen the electrode gap, use a tool that only pulls back the ground electrode, without applying pressure to the center electrode. The tool must not be wedged between the electrodes as that may cause damage to the insulator nose.
* To close the electrode gap, carefully tap the plug, electrode first, on a hard surface, as shown in the illustration.

911pcars · 12-27-2003, 12:29 PM

To clarify my earlier post, I meant to ask what spark plug manufacturer recommends not gapping their plugs; not which ones recommend zero gap.

With single ground electrode platinums, the gap is different depending on the type of ignition system you have. If it's a regular points, inductive coil system, the gap is different compared to a high energy electronic ignition system.

Sherwood