I recently replaced the plugs on an '06 2.4 with the factory AC DELCO 41103's and they came out of the box at 0.041" gap.

As per the service manual they should be at 0.042" gap.

I know your not suppose to (EXTEND) the gap with a "coin style" gapper but I used it to (LIGHTLY) check the gap of the plugs. I DIDN'T jam it into the gap to check them.

I then used a needle nose to extend the gaps to 0.042" and again LIGHTLY check the gap.



QUESTION: Would lightly checking the gap with a coin gauge hurt the iridium tip in any way? I can't stress enough that I did it so lightly.



Fiance claims the car feels a little more sluggish when accelerating onto the freeway.

The old plugs looked OK "burn" wise but the gaps were all over the board...most being 0.045 and the 4th cyl. being 0.048!! All the iridium tips were well worn down.

The air filter needs to be changed, and I was going to spray off the MAF with some MAF cleaner.



ONE thing I didn't do was unplug the battery when changing them out so i'm thinking maybe the computer didn't calibrate to it actually running better and it was still compensating timing for the old plugs. ALTHOUGH its been 2 weeks since install.


Thanks for the input

HHR_Carnatic

 

Shouldn't do any harm, it is what they're made for. Using the coin style, you can hook on to the electrode using the hole in the coin to widen the gap btw.

 

Yeah you will be ok, I did this with my spark plugs and they are fine

 

If they came .041 and it's says u should have .042 I think ur fine, it won't always be exactly the same, for instance my 4 stock plugs varied from .030-.032 and they work fine without issue