samg1988

Indeed, I swapped the old ones and they were still ok. The problem did turn out to be the gapping. The new plugs were much smaller than the recommended 1mm.

Slight adjustment to 1mm being VERY careful not to damage the pointy tip and the car's running fine now.

Thanks for the help everybody!

gbduo

Oh excellent, at least it was a simple fix!

Graham

martin j

Why is it people seem to be replacing plugs rather than cleaning and regapping the old ones, I seem to recall it was considered gaps will increase 1 thou per 1k miles, so every 10k miles regap them and replace when they are worn out? or am I old fashioned and not considering the profits of Honda etc.

Ultra_Nexus

Glad you have your problem fixed

Just so you know, depending on what plug you get, if they are damaged, you should simply get a new one. The coatings on the electrodes don't like being moved about, hence why you don't regap them

FWIW, I don't use a torque wrench for sparkplugs either, unless i'm doing someone elses car and i'll SHOW them the 17 lbs/ft and the click the wrench makes

The thing is that 17 lbs/ft is pathetically weak...

gbduo

I did not know that! Thanks!

Graham

Yardie

Always gap your new plugs to the correct setting! They do come roughly correct but all it takes is a small knock from a dropped part and the gap will close slightly resulting in poor performance. Im not guessing i am a mechanic and the amount of plugs i get from the motor factors with closed gaps is unreal so please check them.