A problem with the size of the spark plug gap can cause a misfire or rough engine running.
Spark plug gaps that are too small can cause a number of problems, including poor fuel economy, reduced performance, and increased emissions. See why this is happening and what you can do to prevent it.
Spark plug fouling, misfiring, poor gas mileage and lack of ignition power are all signs of a spark plug gap that is too small. The problem can be solved by modifying the gap through a simple technique that only requires a few pieces of specialized equipment.
A weak spark will not be enough to ignite the gasoline in your engine if the gap between the spark plug electrodes is very small; on the other hand, if the gap is too large, there will not be enough energy for a proper combustion cycle, which can also cause misfiring.
What is a spark plug gap?
The space between the two electrodes of the spark plug is known as the gap. The spark produced by the ignition system uses the space as a “launch pad” to ignite the fuel-air combination in the engine’s combustion chamber.
The amount of energy delivered from the spark plug to the fuel-air mixture depends on the magnitude of this gap, which affects engine performance.
Too small a gap could prevent the spark from reaching its full capacity and prevent engine combustion from starting. The engine may not run properly as a result, or may even stop completely.
What spark plug gap is recommended?
Most engine manufacturers install it to a depth of 0.035 inches (35 mils). This is not a set rule; people can install them with a wider or narrower gap depending on their design choices and concerns.
Always consult your vehicle’s service manual for the proper gap for your specific model before adjusting the spark plug setting.
As a general guideline, the gap should be between 0.028″ and 0.060″. The spark will have enough energy to ignite the fuel-air combination at these distances, but not enough to waste it.
Small Spark Plug Gap Symptoms
The spark plug gap is too short if any of the following occurs:
Plug fouling
Dirty spark plugs are a sign that the spark gap is too small. In other words, when your engine starts, the hot gases won’t be able to pass through the exhaust ports fast enough, resulting in a buildup of gases around the spark plug electrodes.
This accumulation causes performance to suffer and emissions to increase. Also damaging your engine is carbon buildup around the electrodes, which can cause arcing or misfiring.
lack of ignition spark
The lack of an ignition spark is another sign of a spark gap that is too small. As a consequence, the engine will not start because there will not be enough voltage to generate a spark powerful enough for combustion. Because there is not enough ignition spark, this can lead to slow starting times or even no-start situations.
Poor acceleration and rough idle performance
Poor acceleration performance and a rough idle are two additional signs of a small spark. The spark plug will fail or stall if there is not enough power (voltage) available to start. This results in rough and poor idle acceleration performance of your car.
As a result of improper combustion taking place in each cylinder, it could also result in increased fuel consumption and decreased overall engine power.
poor gas mileage
Finally, low gas economy could result from a spark gap that is too small. Because it needs more fuel to keep running than normal when the engine is running inefficiently due to misfiring or lack of starting power, more gasoline is used overall. As a result, your car uses more gas and is less efficient overall.
