Goodnight Oppo

"Denver Is Stuck In The 90s" (denver80222)
05/21/2015 at 22:56 • Filed to: None

I gave in and spent money on my way out of work today. I got some spark plugs, a socket, grease and anti seize. My truck has been running a bit chunkily lately, so I think this might help. I bought a spark plug gap measuring tool a while ago, so I’ll measure my old ones after I replace them. Im not sure when the plugs were last done, if they have been done at all. I was gonna do them when I got home, but I was tired, it was getting dark and I have never done plugs before, so I thought I should so some research first. Any tips or tricks?

Im gonna do them sometime over the memorial day weekend.

I also got a locking gas cap (which I put on when I got gas after work). This is crucial for security on a truck, since trucks dont have locking gas doors. Its one of the best purchases I have ever made.

DISCUSSION (29)

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
05/21/2015 at 22:59

Why no Ford MotorCraft spark plugs?

Slant6 > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
05/21/2015 at 23:01

My truck has a locking gas door.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
05/21/2015 at 23:02

Cuz Oreilly had NGK Iridium in stock, and I wanted to use my discount

blacktruck18 > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
05/21/2015 at 23:03

My .02, don’t trust the gap on the old plugs, check online or your computer system at work to make sure you set them right. Also, you are going have the pug wires halfway off might as well do those too.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Slant6
05/21/2015 at 23:03

Lucky

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > blacktruck18
05/21/2015 at 23:09

My wires are old, but in decent shape, I think theyre okay

Slant6 > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
05/21/2015 at 23:13

Kinja'd!!!

I find it funny that you’ve never changed plugs but you have a gapping tool on your keychain. I guess it won’t get lost. It is annoying when you have your plugs out and you can’t find your gap tool ( I actually prefer a feeler gauge) and you have to put the old plugs in to go buy a new tool.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Slant6
05/21/2015 at 23:16

I bought that months ago in anticipation of doing plugs. I finagled my parents into buying me some throttle body cleaner so I could clean my IAC in exchange for moving a mattress, I threw the gapping tool in and my parents have no idea, lol.

Slant6 > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
05/21/2015 at 23:20

I do that with Hotwheels whenever I’m sent to get groceries.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Slant6
05/21/2015 at 23:20

Quit giving me ideas

Gated Manual > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
05/21/2015 at 23:39

Changing plus is easy. I’d recommend a ratchet socket extension to make it easier when working at weird angles.

Kinja'd!!!

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Gated Manual
05/21/2015 at 23:42

I have plenty of extensions of varying lengths. But do I have to disconnect the battery? Because I dont wanna have to reset my radio settings again

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
05/22/2015 at 00:20

Dont use that “coin” gapper on Platinum or Iridium plugs. Those fancy metals are just a small tip pressed onto the electrode and they are very thin. Those coin tools can strip or damage the tips, and your plugs will erode away very quickly. Use feeler gauges or a loop tool.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
05/22/2015 at 00:28

Hey! The key chain I got you.

no real tips or tricks for plugs, they're pretty easy.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
05/22/2015 at 00:29

I never have, so I think you're OK.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Snuze: Needs another Swede
05/22/2015 at 01:03

Like one of these? http://www.autozone.com/clamps-and-mea…

Gated Manual > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
05/22/2015 at 01:06

Ditto. I’ve never disconnected the battery. just make sure you do one plug at a time.

Toby F., Manager > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
05/22/2015 at 01:31

Fun fact: I learned, from none other than my buddy who owns a shop, that you can squeeze (in a certain way) those locking caps off (w/out a key) in two seconds. I own a locking cap still.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Snuze: Needs another Swede
05/22/2015 at 02:50

Also, I did already use it to check the gap, the tips are still intact and the gap is about .2-3” off from what it should be on all the plugs. I will have to gap them.

JGrabowMSt > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
05/22/2015 at 07:56

Iridium? Really? Platinums would have been plenty. Does it run better, or have you noticed any difference?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
05/22/2015 at 08:15

My dad has that same tool, but about 40 years old. I use that and/or feeler gauges.

Also, it was late and I didn’t think my response through, so let me clarify things a bit. The coin tool is fine for checking gap. What you shouldn’t do is use it to set the gap - don’t stick it in the plug and twist, using the ramp to expand the electrode - that’s what causes damage.

crowmolly > blacktruck18
05/22/2015 at 09:03

Or on the emissions sticker under the hood

crowmolly > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
05/22/2015 at 09:04

I’d return the plugs and go with regular copper, and put the $$ towards new wires too. If it doesn’t have recent ones, of course.

blacktruck18 > crowmolly
05/22/2015 at 10:27

Oh ya, I am a dummy. It is there too.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
05/22/2015 at 10:31

Does this mean you got the gig? I don’t remember seeing a post that you got the job.

The only advice I can give is when you are putting the new plugs in start them by hand or with the socket & extension but NO RATCHET attached and thread them in ALL the way. If you start with the ratchet you could get them in cross thread and then you’ll be having a real bad day.

It’s never happened to me but it has happened to my idiot friends.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
05/22/2015 at 10:33

yes exactly like one of those.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > JGrabowMSt
05/22/2015 at 11:37

I havent done em yet, but the iridiums were only $5.50 each with my discount so I thought “eh, why not”

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/22/2015 at 11:46

Ya I got the gig! They needed a new driver so badly though, I had to start driving before I finished my training (still have 8 more courses out of 28), so Ive been getting lost when I go to new places. Also the truck has a bad torque converter, it's dealable but Im still getting used to it so I havent been driving it in the best way. Yesterday I had a sports car driver get really comically pissed at me for being overly cautious turning left. It was actually kinda funny

JGrabowMSt > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
05/22/2015 at 13:42

As far as spark plugs go, im a big fan of OEM. Platinum at best for an upgrade. Engines cant really handle super expensive or fancy plugs. Especially older ones.