I tried looking at the sears.com site for Craftsman LOCKING socket extensions. I'm not finding the Craftsman brand. I'd like the part number or a link, if you have it, please.

 

I think the problem with non-wire feeler gauges is that they can provide too much force on the electrode and damage it. This may be less of an issue with feeler gauges, but I can imagine a disc-type gauge wedging and damaging the electrode.

 

Never use the flat type of feeler on irridium or platinum plugs. Always use wire type. As stated, electrode is too fragile, and flat type will easily exert too much torque and damage them.

Just get the correct gauge. Tool costs <1 spark plug costs. You do the math.

 

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-pc-...7&blockType=G7


I think the problem with non-wire feeler gauges is that they can provide too much force on the electrode and damage it. This may be less of an issue with feeler gauges, but I can imagine a disc-type gauge wedging and damaging the electrode.
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When you properly gap the platinum and iridium style plugs, you do not touch the gap itself with the gauge. (To measure you may make light contact as the wire slides between center and lateral electrodes. This is for measurement, not adjustment) You use a slot in the feeler to adjust the lateral electrode up or down. See this on the NGK website how to adjust a plug properly.

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/tech_su...de=nml#gapping

 

hah when I wrote this, I swore I was in the valve adjustment thread, not the spark plug thread Yes, don't use flat feeler gauges for spark plug gap check.

 

Thanks for the excellent write up. I changed mine yesterday, opted to go with the NGK laser iridium plugs. I got the car with 119k miles on the odo, not knowing when the plugs were changed the last time I decided to change them before I put the car on the road. To my surprise the old plugs were NGK iridium as well.

One question though, plugs were all dark brown, non of them were the white shown in the original post. Cylinder #3 and #4 plugs seemed to have a bit of moisture/oil on them, is that normal, I know OP suggested it is normal, just wanted to get other member's take on it TIA.

 

Excellent Information.

 

Just used this guide and changed my plugs earlier tonight and I gotta say it was super helpful. I went with the NGK plugs and am very satisfied with them. Saw a immediate change with the way my S idles and it looks like it fixed my CEL being on for my cylinder one misfire. Fingers crossed anyway.

 

Great guide. My socket got stuck inside 2 times but was able to extract it both times! make sure you have some good tape.

 

You can get a locking extension for sockets. Craftsman.