spark plugs gap and torque

[grosbucheron]

I am just about to replace my 2005 Echo's spark plugs and wonder :

1° What gap should the spark plugs show?

2° How hard should I tighten the plugs (I've got the torque wrench, yet I miss the setting)?

This is the first time I work on this car and I would like to do it right!

Thanks!

[toyomoho]

Gap seems to depend on the brand/type of plug used, either 0.032 or 0.044. What type do you have? Torque is about 13 ft-lb. How many miles on the car? Depending on the OEM type they can last 100K.

[grosbucheron]

The spark plugs are NGK G-Power Platinum -- what the auto-part guy gave me.

I have 60 something thousand kilometers on the engine (the service manual recommends replacement of the plugs after 48000km).

Not used to all these wires, spark plugs and electro-devices : I'm used to old school VW diesel engines... I didn't even know that spark plugs existed!

[toyomoho]

.044 gap {G-Power Platinum Plug #BKR5EGP}

It appears Toyota recommends changing the plugs so the car will continue to meet the emissions standards it was certified under. This does not mean it will fail an emissions test by not changing the plugs. There may be a slight increase in emissions, enough for Toyota to recommend changing them. The later model VW diesels are also very good. Great MPG without all the hybrid technology, and fun to drive.

[Damage82]

anyone ever use bosch plugs? I'm getting ready to change th eplugs on my wife's 03 echo sedan.

[rfice]

In my 2000 Echo, we have Iridium plugs that are supposidly good for 192,000 Km. (not sure on gap info).
Everything is working well at 148,000 Km.

[emi323i]

why are you guys wasting money on those fancy plugs... best conductor you can get (other than gold) is copper... copper plugs are cheap, too.. $1.50 or so... car runs better with copper plugs... there's a catch, you have to regap or replace them often .. like every 10k miles

[davecl]

Hey guys,

emi323i if you consider your time you regap the plugs all the time your 1.50 plug just cost more than the better higher priced plugs. IMHO.

davecl

[loganshope]

Originally Posted by emi323i

why are you guys wasting money on those fancy plugs... best conductor you can get (other than gold) is copper... copper plugs are cheap, too.. $1.50 or so... car runs better with copper plugs... there's a catch, you have to regap or replace them often .. like every 10k miles

I read the best conductor was silver...can't seem to find silver plugs for a 2003 echo?...do you think the copper plugs give you better gas mileage than the "fancy plugs"? I know I changed plugs in my 2003 echo and went to Platinum plugs as was recomended by the Auto parts person and seems like my mileage went down?

[gboezio]

Always use the stock plugs, each plugs type have it's own characteristics and the only extensive testing done by Toyota engineers that fit the ignition advance (they can affect Max cyl pressure angle), combustion chambers turbulences and coil packs, are the stockers. Many problems have been traced to fancy or improper # plugs. Fancy metal plugs are just for long service life, just change them more often.

Torque, if you don't have a torque wrench, as much as you can comfortably give with one hand holding the ratchet your thumb on the pivot point, insert the threads all the way by hand. A bit of anti seize compound is nice there, save some swearing later on, specially with the new 192 000 km plugs on the Yaris, I would pull them out mid way or they will seize solid.
I don't have the torque specs, but don't use a 1/2 TQ wrench on it's lower range, good way to pull the threads and to hell the day goes...