Uncle Fester

Well, I guess the subject says it all on this one. I pulled the plugs today and noticed that the gap was a little bigger than it should be, and the electrode appeared worn and rounded a little. Looks like it's time to replace at about 30K miles. I read that the gap should not be adjusted on these plugs. Well, I regapped them anyways. Engine appears to run fine.

Why is regapping not an option on our plugs? Or is it all platinum plugs?

RACER

Bending the electrode back and forth causes it to become weak. It it breaks, well then a lot of damage will occur.

xviper

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Uncle Fester
Why is regapping not an option on our plugs?

Uncle Fester

The owner's manual makes no mention of it, but the Helm's manual does. On page 4-19, step 2 makes mention of this. Another odd thing is the mileage replacement interval Honda states for the OEM plugs. Honda says 7 years or 105,000 miles. My center electrodes were rounded at 30,000 miles, and the Helm's calls for replacement when the center electrodes round off.

That's a big difference!

xviper

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Uncle Fester
but the Helm's manual does.

AirCav Nate

Mostly it is easier and cheaper to replace plugs than properly inspect and read them. You only have to miss a crack in the insulator on one pug to ruin the profit on about 3 Tuneups. Plus the electrode wears from a nice square edge to a round nubbin, and it is less resitant to carbon and such fouling it.

If you gap a lot of plugs, you should either replace your gauge on occasion or only measure with it and not use it to adjust the plug. (save wear on the tool as these are often brass and some what soft to ease the chance of damaging the tip should it be platinum or the like) But for the hobbiest and DIY'er this is proabably not a likely problem.

Learn how to read a plug,clean, and inspect it closely maybe save a little cash. Plus by reading your plug you gain another diagnostic tool!

Anyone else?

Nate

xviper

I think this is one of the reasons why the Helm manual says to not re-gap the old plugs. Trying to wedge that gauge in there to adjust the gap on a platinum or iridium plug is not a smart thing to do. Use an electrode wrench.

Uncle Fester

Yes, bending the outside electrode is the only I've ever gapped plugs, of any kind (copper, platinum, etc). I adjust until there is a slight drag on the measuring tool (I use a tool dedicated to this, not one of those $.99 discs that you can get to gap plugs) and I've never had a problem.

You guys are right on the money on this. Platinum is a softer metal I believe, and could break if unnecessary force is applied. I should have remembered that.