spark plug gap tool

[1996camry]

96 toyota camry 4 cylinder 5sfe engine... need .043mm gap for my spark plugs.....

normally i got spark plugs from toyota dealer...they said their spark plugs already gapped by the manifucturer..

my question is....should i believe by the word...Or

so...do the spark plugs you buy from dealer have already gapped by the model year of your car?

second question is

i have trying to buy a tool spark plug gap for .043 mm(my manual tell me)...does anyone know where i can get online or in local shop? autozone,advance, Napa doesn't carry .043mm gap at all...does anyone know where i can get that spark plug gap tool that include .043mm?

thanks

[Heat]

You are making this a lot more complicated than it needs to be. Here is a spark plug gapper:



Costs $1 or maybe $1.25 from any autoparts store (I picked mine up from Autozone).

See the outer edge? Slide that into the gap until it's snug then read the side, that's your gap. See the hole? That's actually to increase the gap if you need, decrease the gap by pressing the edge of the gapper against the plug.

I always check the gap before putting on plugs but the vast majority of the time they are already the right gap. And of course, the easiest way to do it is to just buy your plugs from Autozone and ask them to check the gap when you buy the plugs.

[Hajoca]

The tool shown in the above pic will be perfect for you.
I prefer a set of wire gauges if you are using the twin tipped electrode type of spark plug.

[1996camry]

i am just asking a question and not making thing complicate? you didn't see my point.....what is the tolerances +- for spark plug gap you buy at autozone that is cheap of 2 bucks??

[Heat]

Then pick up a feeler gauge, spark plug gap set:



This one is $5.25 plus shipping from amazon.com, I’m sure that autozone / pepboys etc would have something similar. And for what it's worth, the correct gap is 0.043 inches or 1.1 mm.

When you put the plugs in, what are you using to check the torque? And what torque are you using?

[Camryamnesty]

I work for a dealer, and i have only had a problem with gaps once. and that was my fault.

[Unco]

the first tool that Heat has pictured above has metric sizes on one side and imperial on the other. that's all you need.

you don't buy a 0.43mm gapping tool. just buy the $1 one, that's all you need.

and yes, it is good practice to check the gap before you install the plugs. it doesn't take long to check them.

as for tolerances, just try to get it as close as possible. you can always open/close the gap if you go too far. it will make more sense once you invest $1 into that tool and use it!

[marc780]

I used to check them every time i changed plugs (i have been doing it for 30 years). And i always found several that were gapped wrong. But these were always champion and AC, or Bosch - the japanese plugs have betters quality control and are usually gapped properly. It doesnt hurt to check though - also remember what if you drop one or bang it before you put it in, and knock the gap out of spec?
Always use a wire feeler gauge for plugs, never a flat metal one (unless thats all you have), plugs should be gapped with a wire- type gauge only.
To get the gap to set it to, have the auto parts guy look it up for you and then write it on the plug box, or just look it up on the net

[Hajoca]

The reason for checking gap of the spark plug is that it matches your ignition system output.
The plug is selected for the 'heat' characteristics (how quickly it cools off)
The gap is spec'ed by the igniter output voltage, higher voltage coils can bridge a larger gap, that is why worn spark plugs produce weak spark and cause loss of power or hesitation (misfire) when you try and accelerate.