spark plug gap

[bassthrive]

This is for the 1MZ-FE.

I bought and installed denso PK20 dual ground platinum plugs for my 60k service a while ago. Heeding the important looking warning sticker on the underside of my hood, I installed the plugs without gapping, trusting that the www.sparkplugs.com listing of 0.044 gap was done for me. After the install I began to notice a slight loss in acceleration but I quickly dismissed this and placed the blame on the cat back exhaust system I bolted on around the same time. Fuel economy has been less than stellar (~18mpg mixed hwy/cty).

So I was in the "library" today paging through my haynes manual and I see a picture if some dude gapping the dual tip plugs. The gap according to the book is 0.043 inch.

Curiosity got the best of me so I pulled a plug from the front bank. I measured a gap of 0.025! I pulled the other two and re-gapped the front bank to .04, super careful not to touch the electrode or crack the porcelain. Did not have the daylight/patience to attempt the rear bank. Finished up, got the keys and chirped the tires under partial throttle - havent done that in a while. We'll see if this improves my fuel economy as well.

Moral of the story - check the gap before you install your plugs.

[Nyyankees3511]

How would you chirp your tires under partial pedal pressure? Do you have a manual?

[bassthrive]

Auto, I didnt floor it. I was kinda shocked when it happened.

Only other factors at work I can think of are tires freshly inflated and a drop in outside temp to 75.

[NeFaRiOuS_SLE]

I've been interested in buying Denso's for a while now... Do they actually have dual electrode? I remember seeing in the owner's manual that the V6 required a dual-tip, but Denso's website gave a suggestion for a single-tip.

However, thinking about it, I wonder if the lack of the extra tip has anything to do with the power loss you have been dealing with?

[DaTwUnKrAziEpInOy]

Yes...the owner's manual is correct.....use only dual electrode spark plugs.