ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum

ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Sidekick, Vitara, Geo Tracker (Gen. 1 Platform) 1989-1998 => Topic started by: tuesdaysgone on February 19, 2011, 11:16:55 PM

Title: Spark Plug Gapping
Post by: tuesdaysgone on February 19, 2011, 11:16:55 PM: Can someone please check what is the gap measurement on a sidekick sport. Chiltons show that it should be 0.029 inch. The spark plugs sold at rock auto all are 0.32. Why?

I'm assuming they will need to be gapped 3mm? Are there any spark plugs available that do not require gapping?
Title: Re: Spark Plug Gapping
Post by: Drone637 on February 20, 2011, 09:14:47 PM: Most plugs need to be gapped, but I think NGK's come with the correct gapping stock. Did you check under you hood to see if it lists the factory recommended spark plug gap on there?
Title: Re: Spark Plug Gapping
Post by: tuesdaysgone on February 21, 2011, 05:53:43 AM: I didnt no, I don't recall seeing a sicker on the valve cover indicating what type of plugs to use.

Does yours have one?
Title: Re: Spark Plug Gapping
Post by: davej on February 21, 2011, 10:33:43 AM: What engine? Please post that. Spark plugs come pre gapped but may not be what your engine needs. Go with what the manual says. My 1.6L 16 vavle I believe is .028
Title: Re: Spark Plug Gapping
Post by: Drone637 on February 22, 2011, 03:37:42 PM: Quote from: tuesdaysgone on February 21, 2011, 05:53:43 AM
I didnt no, I don't recall seeing a sicker on the valve cover indicating what type of plugs to use.

Does yours have one?

Mine has one under the hood, it is next to the vacuum diagram. It includes gap, plug model number, etc.

He has a Sport, so the 1.8L 16v Dual Overhead Cam engine.
Title: Re: Spark Plug Gapping
Post by: Skyhiranger on February 23, 2011, 08:49:45 PM: You need to look for the sticker on the underside of the hood....not the valve cover. It will list all sorts of stuff...timing spec, plug gap, plug type, valve specs, etc.
I never trust plugs to be "pre-gapped". I always check them (and usually have to "adjust" them), before installation.
And don't forget to use anti-sieze on them and torque them to spec.
If you can't find the valve specs, I have a sport here, I can go look at the sticker tomorrow (if I remember).
Title: Re: Spark Plug Gapping
Post by: tuesdaysgone on February 28, 2011, 10:16:32 PM: The owners handbook says 0.28.

here are my old plugs do they look bad?

On the 2nd from the front plug, it had il residue on the washer, what does this mean?

(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f259/superchargeruk/002.jpg)

(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f259/superchargeruk/006.jpg)

(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f259/superchargeruk/007.jpg)
Title: Re: Spark Plug Gapping
Post by: Skyhiranger on March 01, 2011, 05:49:57 AM: The plug gap looks too large on all those plugs (could be just from wear, or they may not have been gapped properly when they were installed). And they don't look like standard NGK or Denso plugs. I run the regular NGK spec'd plugs in all my samurais and trackicks and they are good plugs. No need for any fancy "gimmick" plugs....just run whatever the sticker says to run.
The one with the residue on the washer probably either wasn't tightened properly, or the seal around the spark plug cavity on the valve cover was leaking and let oil in around the plug.