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The Spark Plug Gap Is NOT Critical (With SHOCKING Proof)

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  • čas přidán 26. 05. 2022
  • Lawn mower won't start? Are you told your spark plug gap is the problem? I'm experimenting with wildly wrong spark plug gaps to see if they work. Testing plugs that are WAY out of spec, both too big and too small! I think the results will "SHOCK" you, LOL....
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    🔧WELCOME to the Steve’s Small Engine Saloon CZcams channel! Here you will find a vast library of easy do it yourself repair videos for all types of small engine equipment like chainsaws, weed eaters, hedge trimmers, brush cutters, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, pressure washers, generators, riding lawn mowers and so much more. I have been a small engine mechanic for over 30 years and my videos are absolutely loaded with tips and tricks that I have learned and want to pass on to YOU. 🙂
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    #stevessmallenginesaloon #smallenginerepair #smallengine #sparkplug #sparkplugs #Walbro

Komentáře • 460

  • @StevesSmallEngineSaloon
    @StevesSmallEngineSaloon  Před 2 lety +14

    ✅CLICK HERE FOR THE GAP TOOL ➜ amzn.to/3GtaGRq
    For more videos like this, check out:
    👉MORE SPARK PLUG VIDEOS ➜ czcams.com/play/PLhORnVQxJe0W-DrJ-ovhgQwIgywPRod4F.html
    👉How to Adjust or Tune the Carburetor on a Leaf Blower ➜ czcams.com/video/DWPUYJiF6KM/video.html
    👉CORRECT WAY To Tune The Carburetor On A Chainsaw ➜ czcams.com/video/M6T5JoGXcHY/video.html
    👉How To Adjust Or Tune The Carburetor On A Weedeater ➜ czcams.com/video/gmhxTvGRtCg/video.html
    You can connect with Steve here too:
    ✅Visit Steve’s WEBSITE ➜ www.stevessmallenginesaloon.com/
    ✅Visit Steve’s PARTS & TOOL STORE ➜ www.amazon.com/shop/stevessmallenginesaloon
    ✅Follow Steve on FACEBOOK ➜ facebook.com/stevessmallenginesaloon
    ✅Follow Steve on INSTAGRAM ➜ instagram.com/stevessmallenginesaloon/
    ✅Follow Steve on TWITTER ➜ twitter.com/SteveSaloon

    • @d-mack7053
      @d-mack7053 Před 2 lety

      @Steve Greetings again from Marine City Michigan. And once again absolutely love your channel. Would love to some brewskis with ya!!!!! "D"

    • @ramonazteca252
      @ramonazteca252 Před 2 lety

      agree. i have always used a beer can tab. never failed.

    • @giggiddy
      @giggiddy Před 2 lety +3

      @@ramonazteca252 You get it! Thats all Steve was trying to say and it flew over many peoples heads. He only said if it doesn't start, don't spend the day trying to set the plug gap because its probably something else. Then these jackasses are on here talking about multi cylinder race engines with fuel mileage and horsepower ratings. Unbelievable...

  • @jvalentine8376
    @jvalentine8376 Před 2 lety +150

    It's true that a wider gap will also work especially if the engine gives a good strong spark but the larger plasma arch will eat away at the electrodes much quicker . The spark gap is a compromise between the two . That's what I learnt in my motorcycle racing days . If the gap is too small small pieces of vaporized metal and carbon will build between the gap and eventually short it .

  • @vanderpoolfarmsl.l.c.9983
    @vanderpoolfarmsl.l.c.9983 Před měsícem +3

    I am always amazed at how many people talk about changing their sparkplugs every year or even less.
    My 2011 ford Ranger with 32000 miles on it has a replacement recommendation of 105000 miles.
    I am however happy that they support our sparkplug manufacturers and keep them in business.

  • @fredsmith5473
    @fredsmith5473 Před 2 lety +40

    If the gap is too tight the plugs can foul easily and you can have no spark until they are cleaned. Too wide and it may not work with a weak coil. It's not critical but it's best to have them gapped at 25 to 30 thou or what the maker says.

  • @benbaselet2026
    @benbaselet2026 Před 2 lety +23

    It's good to know that the gap isn't that critical! The specs sure are splitting hairs usually. But.
    Now I want to see Project Farm test a variety of different gaps for fuel efficiency, torque and how they perform after a longer duration and get sooty :-)

  • @KensSmallEngineRepair
    @KensSmallEngineRepair Před 2 lety +60

    Gaps are more important on multi cylinder engines where misfiring can occur. Single cylinders don’t care as much but may lose power and efficiency if too small or large a gap. Cool vid Steve!

    • @StevesSmallEngineSaloon
      @StevesSmallEngineSaloon  Před 2 lety +11

      I agree with 100% Kenny!

    • @downeastoutdoors8713
      @downeastoutdoors8713 Před 2 lety +3

      Yep with multiple cylinder, gap is wayyy more important... Rock on kenny!!

    • @downeastoutdoors8713
      @downeastoutdoors8713 Před 2 lety

      @@StevesSmallEngineSaloon me too!

    • @45NUTS_PART_DEUX
      @45NUTS_PART_DEUX Před 2 lety

      @@StevesSmallEngineSaloon So According to Ken thier , the whole thing was just a stunt , Looks like the May 2- 4 weekend was one day too long for you

    • @bombardiermuskeg5302
      @bombardiermuskeg5302 Před 2 lety +4

      I agree especially on older style ignition systems because there are many more gaps than just the spark plug ei: points gap, distributor to distributor rotor gap, spark plug gap then factor in all the places that you can have a bad connection coil to coil wire, coil wire to distributor, distributor wire to spark plug wire. These all add up and if there is too much gap the ignition system cannot overcome all of them then you have driveability issues.

  • @POOKIE5592
    @POOKIE5592 Před 2 lety +90

    I would like to see these tested under a load (i.e. some tall grass) to see if there are performance issues with either one. I may try this experiment too.

    • @grungemunkey
      @grungemunkey Před 2 lety +5

      Would love to know your findings

    • @jasoncobbb5029
      @jasoncobbb5029 Před 2 lety

      ..Still waiting for the tested vid under load! I will watch and like.

    • @docg3562
      @docg3562 Před rokem

      Still waiting under load😢

    • @dougaustin1328
      @dougaustin1328 Před rokem

      Yep!underload will tell all,please be 100percent thorough..no power at those Xtreme gaps and probably higher fuel consumption

  • @riverrat1149
    @riverrat1149 Před 2 lety +7

    As a kid, we used to mix gas with used engine oil to run our two-stroke dirt bikes and go cart. Used to have to check the plugs often. LOL. I think knee-jerk check the plug comes from the early two strokes fouling plugs.

  • @ronwatson4902
    @ronwatson4902 Před 2 lety +13

    You are definately a cool mechanic. I've always been of the same mind. If a spark plug has a gap it's close enough. I run Fram filters in my truck too..No problem in over 50 years. Thanks Steve!

    • @StevesSmallEngineSaloon
      @StevesSmallEngineSaloon  Před 2 lety +2

      Right on

    • @rowdog6376
      @rowdog6376 Před 2 lety +1

      Fram for 40 years for me in NZ with no issues either

    • @dougaustin1328
      @dougaustin1328 Před rokem

      Fram filters are the worst out there according to extensive testing,napa gold was rated one of the highest if not the highest,fram least amount of paper filtering element,bottom of the barrel

  • @MissouriOzarkHillbilly
    @MissouriOzarkHillbilly Před 2 lety +14

    If everything else is right, then the plug gap is just a suggestion. However, a weak coil will rear its ugly head if the gap is too much. Likewise, if the motor is using oil, a small gap will foul more easily. I have some old outboards dating from the 1920's through the 1950's. The factory spec on oil ratio is 1/2 pint of oil per gallon of gas. One goes so far as to require 1 full pintg per gallon-yes, an 8 to 1 ratio. Somehow, I don't think these motors would run very long with
    plugs gapped at .010

  • @RepairGang
    @RepairGang Před 2 lety +4

    Glad you made this video I thought about it but I was afraid people would call me out

  • @phildelgiudice3448
    @phildelgiudice3448 Před 2 lety +2

    Amazing you still generate content Steve. We appreciate you out there!!

  • @jimcharb4230
    @jimcharb4230 Před 2 lety +4

    Steve you're the spark that ignites all these vids.

  • @pauldiesel4582
    @pauldiesel4582 Před 2 lety +2

    Good video Steve! I agree with your points. I have never seen anyone start or experienced myself starting a neglected engine and worried about the spark gap, short of extreme fouling or damage. If it sparks it will ignite!

  • @rickwashek478
    @rickwashek478 Před 2 lety +4

    Good one Steve. I would not have known that until you showed us. I never really worried about having gap perfect. I just usually guess at it I basically make sure gap is reasonable. Just like when I sharpen a blade I never worry to much about the balance. I hang it on nail and if it's fairly level I go with it.

  • @Saxondog
    @Saxondog Před 2 lety +1

    Nice to see you back on CZcams Steve.

  • @jdprice3043
    @jdprice3043 Před rokem +2

    thank you for your help

  • @davidbell4069
    @davidbell4069 Před 2 lety +16

    Your standing there of course it's gonna stay running. Try putting under load and cut thick grass.

    • @StevesSmallEngineSaloon
      @StevesSmallEngineSaloon  Před 2 lety +12

      The whole video is about will it start or not!

    • @jabokd574
      @jabokd574 Před 23 dny

      ​@@StevesSmallEngineSaloon If your standard for whether or not spark plug gap matters is simply whether an engine will start and run under no load, I think you're a tad goofy.

  • @getyourkicksagain
    @getyourkicksagain Před 2 lety +3

    Last month I was mowing with my briggs and I shut it off halfway through the job to get myself a drink. It was off maybe 3 minutes tops. I damn near wore myself out pull starting it, when the damn thing never fails to start on the first pull. Pulled the spark plug and held it against the block while I turned the engine over to check for spark - none. Pulled the grounding wire off the coil to make sure it was not the issue - still no spark. I was ready to order a new coil when I decided to inspect the spark plug electrode with a magnifying glass. There was an ultra thin particle bridging the gap. I have no idea where it came from, or what it was made of, but assumed it was causing a short. I verified it was shorted with my multimeter. I used a razor blade to remove the particle, reinstalled the plug and she fired up on the first pull, as it always has. I had witnessed this phenomenon twice now, the first time a few years back with my string trimmer.

    • @joesinakandid528
      @joesinakandid528 Před 2 lety +2

      There is some carbon that forms in the top of the cylinder (the head) - you see it if you pull the head. Once in a while the running of the engine might break off a flake of that carbon and, instead of just going out with the exhaust, it lodges itself across the spark plug gap.
      Carbon conducts electricity and effectively shorts the spark jumping across the gap. - Joe -

    • @getyourkicksagain
      @getyourkicksagain Před 2 lety

      @@joesinakandid528 Never thought about that, it makes perfect sense. Those things literally arc weld themselves in place, and seemed unusually tough to break, despite their tiny size. Maybe they're carbon nanotubes! Thanks, Joe!

  • @skeeterskier
    @skeeterskier Před rokem +2

    That shit-eatin' grin at 1:10 says it all!

  • @Davidraisedsimmentalcows.

    Thank you Steve, really appreciate the information on spark plugs. Great videos that are helpful.

  • @chrisburgess7657
    @chrisburgess7657 Před 2 lety +9

    If only I had a dollar for every customer that said it only needs a spark plug
    Thanks for the entertainment Steve
    Cheers Chris at cutting edge Australia

    • @StevesSmallEngineSaloon
      @StevesSmallEngineSaloon  Před 2 lety +3

      Thanks mate

    • @benbaselet2026
      @benbaselet2026 Před 2 lety +2

      Just add that dollar to the price list and charge it ;-)

    • @SkywalkerTibor
      @SkywalkerTibor Před 2 lety

      @@benbaselet2026 good one :)

    • @chrisburgess7657
      @chrisburgess7657 Před 2 lety

      @@StevesSmallEngineSaloon Cheers Steve we say "crack one for me" in Australia meaning enjoy a beer for me when you are not able to be there to enjoy one with you keep up the great work and crack one for me tnx mate

  • @OldJoe212
    @OldJoe212 Před 2 lety +27

    Good video. However, I've been pulling, cleaning, and re-gapping my plugs for nearly 50 years without a problem, so I think I'll continue. In doing so, my plugs seem to last about 25 years.

    • @mikespain8655
      @mikespain8655 Před 2 lety +7

      Spark plugs usually last a long time. People throw away perfectly good plugs, and put in new ones all the time.

    • @mannys9130
      @mannys9130 Před 2 lety +8

      @@mikespain8655 I'll posit that replacing a spark plug for only a few dollars is well worth it to eliminate the possibility that there are minor issues with the plug that sap performance and increase emissions. A thermal stress crack in the porcelain, conductor, and/or suppression resistor can form from the extreme thermal cycling that a plug sees. It's possible that there's a well-formed tracking pathway or a few small pathways that developed over time which can't be fixed and will always partially (sometimes completely) divert electrical energy away from the electrodes. That reason also justifies regular replacement of spark plug wires or coil pack boots because tracking burns/melts them and the track can never be fixed. It's possible that there's internal corrosion which increases the resistance of the plug's guts themselves. It's quite often that a plug has a ring of rust around the place where the porcelain meets the metal body. As the plug wears, all of the sharp corona discharge points wear away because the spark jumps from the highest and closest one first until that place has been vaporized, and it carries on until the surfaces of both electrodes are rounded and polished smooth. This is undesirable because the spark forms easiest and it is most efficient maintaining the ionized arc when those sharp corona points are present and utilized. That is why platinum and iridium plugs have a very tiny, sharp needle point for both electrodes as well as using the very arc erosion resistant platinum and iridium metals. Those plugs maintain a pointy, hard tip/edge which presents a fantastic corona breakout point for the spark to jump across and stay concentrated and very hot during the full duration of the coil's magnetic field collapse. In a combustion chamber at TDC compression, the air is much more dense than air at atmospheric pressure and it's more difficult to form a spark. You can actually see this by using a scope to plot the primary and secondary waveforms. The strike voltage peak will be higher. Having that sharp corona breakout electrode is much better than a rounded arc-polished electrode surface even if the latter is gapped correctly again. A poor electrode form will cause spark to be delayed in timing and it'll be wimpy, which affects power and emissions. Most new cars today are equipped with iridium or platinum plugs, and they are long service life plugs due to their wear resistance. My Toyota for example, calls for NGK Laser Iridium plugs at a 120k mile lifetime. I changed them at 60k. Why? The 4 of them were $40 from the dealer and I always do perpetual maintenance that preserves the efficiency of combustion as well as reducing the amount of engine oil burned in order to prolong the life of the catalytic converter which is a big expense that plagues older cars. The dreaded P0420. 🙀 $40 in nice new plugs was worth it to make sure the fuel:air charge is ignited as best as possible just like when the engine was brand new. This also involves MAF sensor cleaning, throttle body cleaning, fuel injector cleaning or replacement, AFR and O2 sensor replacement, thermostat replacement, and the use of quality gasoline. Most of that doesn't apply to a lawn mower engine of course. In fact, most of this won't apply to a flathead mower engine except when tracking or corrosion gets really bad and causes misfires, or decreases power and fuel economy enough to be noticeable. I just want to offer up reasons why "good" plugs being thrown away aren't always "good" despite appearing to be in one piece, and that being penny wise but pound foolish is not a very good strategy when maintaining a piece of very expensive machinery.

    • @yakncast7530
      @yakncast7530 Před 2 lety +8

      @@mannys9130 Dayum. You got a publisher for that book? Lol. Jk

    • @fredsmith5473
      @fredsmith5473 Před 2 lety +3

      Most people are very quick to change the spark plug if the machine is even slightly difficult to start. The problem is more likely to be caused by something else such as stale gas, or a blocked spark arrester. A genuinely bad spark plug is rarely if ever the problem. If the plug is sooty, it's easy to clean. I find spark plugs don't often need replacing and last for years.
      I can't really see the point of the video, as it's so easy to set the correct gap with a feeler gauge or an accurately measured piece of card, and having a gap which is much too small or too big is asking for problems somewhere along the line.

    • @G-FORCEEE
      @G-FORCEEE Před 2 lety +1

      @@mannys9130 That's pretty interesting stuff, but pretty useless in a real life troubleshooting. I just ground the plug against the engine and crank. If I see spark it's fine. Personally I think It's a waste to replace something that works fine. If it's working it ain't broke. Guess that's what comes from me being a country guy, on the farm you just gotta simply make things go XD

  • @davidmanieri7695
    @davidmanieri7695 Před 15 dny +1

    Great advice

  • @patthesoundguy
    @patthesoundguy Před 2 lety +2

    I agree it's not that crucial. Only in a few cases have I seen it matter some. Like in the 1986 Chevy Celebrity I used to have that had early fuel injection on a four cylinder, it called for .060 gap and I was told by someone in the know that the larger gap for for the leaner mixture and he told me that an .030 gap would mean horrible misfires. Also when I was into 2 stroke Honda scooters we found through experience that the Honda spree liked an .025 gap over the .028 or larger. Those things only liked the stock NGK BPR6HS plugs as well, they were very finicky that way. Other than that most stuff doesn't care, just like you showed. I had a late 70s 5 HP Briggs on a rear engine rider that the gap was almost closed and the plug was loose and the thing still mowed 6 foot tall grass with no issues.

  • @kenwheelock1534
    @kenwheelock1534 Před 2 lety +1

    Thanks for the info!

  • @outdoorfreedom9778
    @outdoorfreedom9778 Před 2 lety +1

    Thanks Steve. I knew it wasn't critical but I had no idea you could open it that much. I have closed them tight though but that is a story in itself!!

  • @phartharder
    @phartharder Před 2 lety +3

    Retired automotive instructor.... like he mentioned it can lead to damaged components. Electricity will take the path of least resistance... the ignition module and coil will increase spark output in order to jump a wide gap... this can lead to premature ignition coil damage however if you have a bad connection or damaged plug wire insulation most ofter it will cause the spark to jump to ground before it reaches the spark plug... you can also read the increased kv voltage on an oscilloscope.. if an engine is burning a little oil you can open the plug gap up which will increase spark voltage and may help keep the plug from oil fouling... only recommend on an old worn engine....

  • @steveosullivan5262
    @steveosullivan5262 Před 2 lety +2

    Saw this video and needed to so some weed whacking. It was sputtering a tad and not the same power I was accustom to. Boom what a difference a fresh plug makes on an old machine. Once again I have followed the same over wintering routines that Steve has recommended over the years. Mainly storing with fresh gas and starting at least once a month. Cold damp spring in Oregon this year, yet the yard equip. still humming along. Thanks Steve, my stuff is old from the early 2000's, still doing the job.

    • @markluxton3402
      @markluxton3402 Před 2 lety +1

      LOL your stuff is old....early 2000's. I am running mostly small engines from the early 1960's. I do have some new stuff though. Generator, snowblower, and cheap line trimmer is newish. My Yard Machines line trimmer is crap, I should never have even consider buying this. Thought the price was right for a straight shaft trimmer with clutch. Fixed up a friends trimmer the other day, smallest of Stihl curved shaft trimmers, and very hard used. WAY better, way more power, way less pulling binding grass out of the cracks; and I now see the price is about the same as what I paid for what appeared to be a higher end type machine. I don't think I can even replace the trimmer head with a better one. Damn thing is head on by a friction/jam washer. Some of the older stuff was made way better, but there is some decent manufactures of small engine equipment today too.... I will never buy anything from Yard Machines again though. My trimmer has only a few hours on it. Only changed the line once. I will junk this before spending any money fixing/replacing parts, and I can tell it will not last.
      I have an old Homelite line trimmer someone gave me several years ago, that I haven't gotten around to rebuilding the carb, replacing the primer bulb and maybe the gas lines and filter as well. Now I am planning to get this running before my crap Yard Machines trimmer falls apart. I bet this old Homelite beats the pants off my new trimmer.

  • @billsmith2212
    @billsmith2212 Před 2 lety +5

    I had a 7 HP Briggs & Stratton . The gas was in over the winter . I flushed the tank , line , removed and cleaned the carb . I put in all new gas . I cleaned the plug, it was not wet with gas . No start . The gap was .025 . I regapped the plug to .030 . It started on the first pull .

    • @StevesSmallEngineSaloon
      @StevesSmallEngineSaloon  Před 2 lety +2

      Uh Huh

    • @giggiddy
      @giggiddy Před 2 lety

      It was a coincidence.Truthfully, .005 of an inch will not create a spark/no spark scenario in a small engine. These are not alcohol burning multi-cylinder race engines. Thats what Steve was trying to say and many totally missed his point.

    • @billsmith2212
      @billsmith2212 Před 2 lety

      For whatever the reason , that was the last thing I did to get it to run . Again , the plug was not fouled or wet with gas . And I did give it about a dozen pulls with the plug out in case there was fuel in the cylinder .

  • @travisbeck342
    @travisbeck342 Před 2 lety +1

    So I was just talking about plugs today. I was trying to.find out why it is important to use the "correct" I normally just Find a new one that looks like it and I have not had a problom yet. What can happen not using what th we oem recommend? Thanks so much for your chanel. I have learned a ton from you and fix things I normally get for free. Im getting pretty confident in my work for the most part, and what to look for because of you

  • @terryk3118
    @terryk3118 Před 2 lety +1

    Extremely interesting. Thanks!

  • @rickypsencik5947
    @rickypsencik5947 Před 2 lety +1

    I'll keep that in mind.

  • @gdupler1966
    @gdupler1966 Před 2 lety +1

    It is funny how many commenters don't understand the spirit of this video. Really appreciate this and all your helpful videos!

  • @montegb2951
    @montegb2951 Před 2 lety +1

    Maybe on a Honda gap doesn't matter.... But I bought a Toro early this season. Trouble with warm engine restart. Gap was almost nonexistent, regapped plug, runs like a jewel now. Took about 12 seconds to fix..... thanks for the video, but I'll keep checking plug gap anyways.

  • @GuysPlayingWithTools
    @GuysPlayingWithTools Před 2 lety +5

    That was pretty funny. Anyone with a race car that has a big coil knows that the gap you started the 1/4 with was a LOT tighter than the one you brought back to the trailer.... with the car still running strong.

    • @chrisleggett685
      @chrisleggett685 Před 2 lety +3

      @@obamapox8185 it worked on my 340. Smokey yunick showed me that trick burned up my plug wires on the drive home though.

    • @GuysPlayingWithTools
      @GuysPlayingWithTools Před 2 lety +1

      It does warm the wires a bit 😆

  • @Ronick-Q-46
    @Ronick-Q-46 Před 2 lety +1

    Nice one Steve, I did think the gap was important than what it is. 👍

  • @Pembroke.
    @Pembroke. Před 2 lety +2

    Your right Steve, it's not the spark plug, it just needs a beer 😁

  • @justanotherviewer52
    @justanotherviewer52 Před 2 lety +1

    Thanks Steve.

  • @davidstepeck2644
    @davidstepeck2644 Před 2 lety +1

    You’re the man Steve!!

  • @seanfraser9162
    @seanfraser9162 Před 2 lety +2

    Dude, love your channel.
    Im in BC too (east kootenays) and finding a deceny small engine repair guy is a crap shoot.
    Youve put me on the right path more than once.
    Cheers, bud.

  • @utid1957
    @utid1957 Před 2 lety +1

    Great troubleshooting tip Steve

  • @NXT_LVL
    @NXT_LVL Před rokem +2

    Small engines yes... EFI with a system that adjust fueling and timing based on gap, air etc Just replaced my plug in my truck. .040 gap is what it requires, it came out at 0.0625... lean popping and running hot. Not lean enough the melt a piston or burn a valve... thanks to the EFI and the O2 sensors which was reading "lean" and throwing fuel at it like bailing water out of a sinking ship. I'll let you know what the next full tank gives me for Milage increase from the 13mpg

  • @RichaRat
    @RichaRat Před 2 lety +2

    When were using points in the 60's and 70's the gap on not only the plug but especially the points were critical.

  • @tihspidtherekciltilc5469
    @tihspidtherekciltilc5469 Před 2 lety +9

    Excellent. Now play with coil gap as I've found makes a huge difference.

    • @KensSmallEngineRepair
      @KensSmallEngineRepair Před 2 lety

      Coil gap affects timing

    • @AJRestoration
      @AJRestoration Před 2 lety +2

      @@KensSmallEngineRepair Coil gap does nothing, I have gapped engines coils and some I intentionally gapped wrong, It runs the same all round. I did this with Honda's, Briggs, Tecumseh, Onan, Robin, and many more, It does not matter.

    • @KensSmallEngineRepair
      @KensSmallEngineRepair Před 2 lety

      @@AJRestoration so if I gapped a Briggs coil at say 60 thou (0.060) the timing wouldn’t be slightly retarded and result in a weaker spark?

    • @AuMechanic
      @AuMechanic Před 2 lety

      ​@@AJRestoration
      He is right that it will change the base ignition timing, however that wont stop the engine from running, it just wont have quite as much power.
      The coil low tension is charged faster the smaller the gap, just as it charged faster as RPM rises which results spark timing advancing as RPM rises, it does that by design. When the module senses the coil is fully charged it opens the circuit and coil HT sparks.
      So the smaller the air gap is the more advanced the base timing is. If you set it too wide it will just retard the ignition base timing a bit and so spark will be a bit late and thus you loose some power. Would it be enough to notice it ?, maybe not.

  • @lindab2062
    @lindab2062 Před 2 lety +1

    Wow thanks, I really thought it was critical to hit that gap pretty close. Now I know.

  • @auderitepenguin9350
    @auderitepenguin9350 Před 2 lety +1

    i gapped a weedwacker plug to spec and it felt ok but would just eat through a tank of gas then i tried a gap that you said then it seemed to have more power and it was more fuel efficient

  • @haroldneely9253
    @haroldneely9253 Před 2 lety +1

    I always get thirsty watching Steve

  • @CalkoLouie
    @CalkoLouie Před 2 lety

    Steve you proved you point, now I had nothing better to do so I wanted to check my 2016 Accent`s spark plugs Believe or not I could not find it in the owner`s manual what should the gap be? what you think the gap was about .037" so I left the way it was.

  • @glennwebster1675
    @glennwebster1675 Před 2 lety +1

    Excellent video.. Thank you

  • @andersforrad
    @andersforrad Před 2 lety +1

    Great video Steve - and what a great Husqvarna mower- swedish power 💪 enjoy the weekend!

  • @yourselfdotcom
    @yourselfdotcom Před 2 lety +1

    Thank you!

  • @lemonbomber1
    @lemonbomber1 Před 2 lety +1

    I have a feeler gauge and the coin shaped gauge. So I have the right equipment. For the last 30 years I have used those tools AND I have on my Ski doos and wheelers and chainsaws and mowers and many outdoor pieces of equipment run into many many situations where i did not have access to those tools and gapped the plugs by eyeball and never had a problem. I bet its been ten years since i gap measured a plug. Long ago after "field" repairing some toy I never went back and remeasured because they have run fine! This seems to be a conspiracy by the gap tool makers to sell a pice of equipent that modern engines do not even care about any longer. One adjust ment to the next when I have gap tested them has never seemed to make any difference,
    Thanks for confiriming my suspicions Steve! Good work.

  • @nutthrower4415
    @nutthrower4415 Před 2 lety +1

    Very informative channel, glad I found ya
    Just replaced the exhaust lifter that was cracked on my gcv pressure washer 190 and now pull starts easy. My issue is it pulsating at idle and even though it seems to spray well it will backfire like once in a while. Do they pulsate at idle? I have noticed that at times it looses water pressure but my other one did too but as this one does if you let up on the trigger and press again and pressure comes back
    Sorry for dragging this out, my main concern is the idle pulsating issue, thanks

  • @williamscoggin1509
    @williamscoggin1509 Před 2 lety +1

    Excellent troubleshooting tip 👍🏻🇺🇲

  • @russellrobinson505
    @russellrobinson505 Před 2 lety +1

    thanks again man!!

  • @seedtimeharvestlawncare
    @seedtimeharvestlawncare Před 2 lety +1

    I just joined your channel Steve. And I'm very impressed. So glad to have joined this channel. Keep up the awesome work. 👌

  • @AJRestoration
    @AJRestoration Před 2 lety +1

    The same goes for points gap and the flywheel to coil gap.

  • @rbarclay6529
    @rbarclay6529 Před 2 lety +1

    Steve you're the man, man!!

  • @snodgrassgerald2352
    @snodgrassgerald2352 Před 2 lety +8

    they all been good right out the box for me for over 50 years.

  • @donmartin7460
    @donmartin7460 Před 2 lety +3

    I believe it comes down to the coil life.

  • @philliphall5198
    @philliphall5198 Před rokem +1

    I agree with you on this 😊😊

  • @glennp827
    @glennp827 Před 2 lety +1

    Another great tip

  • @angrygaragemechanic
    @angrygaragemechanic Před 3 měsíci +1

    I just installed a iridium denso plug in the riding lawnmower. I didn't gap it and it starts and runs perfectly fine.

  • @jimg8218
    @jimg8218 Před 2 lety +3

    A spark ís a spark,, cheers 😀

  • @Big_Johns
    @Big_Johns Před 2 lety +1

    Nice video Steve 👍

  • @michaelbellwood2349
    @michaelbellwood2349 Před 2 lety +1

    Thanks Steve from Michael in Australia

  • @outinthesticks1035
    @outinthesticks1035 Před 2 lety +3

    I think years back with lower output ignition systems plug gap was much more important , I have seen engines refuse to fire with to wide a gap .but that's little Briggs made in the forties or fifties . To give Steve credit he did say Honda , and they have about the best small engine ignition on the market

  • @Mark_Nadams
    @Mark_Nadams Před 2 lety +2

    Great info Steve. Now I feel justified for not worrying about my single cylinder engine spark plug's gap all these years.
    What was today's brew?

  • @RobbiRocks
    @RobbiRocks Před rokem +1

    Thank you, spark plugs sure have a mystery attached to them.. Also thank you for having no annoying back ground music, Cheers

  • @YML1357
    @YML1357 Před 2 lety

    thank you for the videos

  • @billbkr32ify
    @billbkr32ify Před 2 lety +1

    I have this argument for years when people say your mower runs like crap because the plugs were not gap correctly

  • @johnhamilton9229
    @johnhamilton9229 Před 2 lety +1

    Drive my truck through it😂😂😂😂. Great shortie Steve.

  • @sweetdrahthaar7951
    @sweetdrahthaar7951 Před 2 lety +2

    And for 50 years I have painstakingly checked the specs for spark plug gap and set them accordingly. Thanks Steve for letting me know I’ve wasted quite a few hours of my life doing something unnecessarily👍🏻

  • @woodman1701
    @woodman1701 Před 2 lety +1

    I have always been told that if you got a misfire in an engine that a lot of times reducing the gap in an emergency if you have no other spark plug around usually fixes it and I’ve actually tried it once and it did work

  • @appleztooranges
    @appleztooranges Před 2 lety +4

    Is the torque of 13 to 14 ft-lbs critical to place spark plug inside an engine?

  • @loyweaver2978
    @loyweaver2978 Před 2 lety +1

    Had carbon build up on my Toro sp and cleaned it by spraying with circuit cleaner. No scrubbing needed. Let air dry about one minute and screwed back in. Started on first pull.

  • @RussellHoughton
    @RussellHoughton Před 2 lety +1

    this was a surprise. i dropped a plug not to long ago and
    the gap closed to around 10 and i didnt notice. it made the engine hunt and after recleaning the carb and changing governor springs i said well that new plug must be bad and there it was almost tuching so i just pulled it apart so it looked good and it ran perfect.

  • @TheTruth.K.J.V.
    @TheTruth.K.J.V. Před 2 lety +1

    JUST ONE WORD=EXCELLENT!

  • @jamesbubnick
    @jamesbubnick Před 10 měsíci +1

    I don’t really ever replace spark plugs anymore. I clean them with my torch, then blow out all the burned up deposits and it works every time. I swear I had a briggs engine from the 1960’s and the plug was original. I heated that baby red hot and after it cooled the plug looked like brand new. No wear on the electrode, installed it and worked perfect.

  • @pyrog.c.c89
    @pyrog.c.c89 Před 2 lety +1

    You the man. Bud time.

  • @davidh.8513
    @davidh.8513 Před 2 lety +2

    That was surprising Steve!
    Thanks for the proof of a mower NOT starting because of the gap.

  • @SEXYTECH1000
    @SEXYTECH1000 Před 2 lety +1

    GREAT VIDEO STEVE ,

  • @larryeoberry5018
    @larryeoberry5018 Před 2 lety +1

    10/4 that's pretty cool.

  • @barryewalt5368
    @barryewalt5368 Před 2 lety +1

    I'm impressed Steve, but will at least still check the gap.. LOL

  • @TheLawnmowerLady
    @TheLawnmowerLady Před 2 lety +2

    Say ain't so, Steve 🙀

  • @MachineryNation
    @MachineryNation Před 2 lety +1

    Love this 😎

  • @stumpyssmallengines
    @stumpyssmallengines Před 2 lety +1

    I've never worried toomuch on my spark plug gap neither steve

  • @mynameisjonas1997
    @mynameisjonas1997 Před 2 lety +4

    I tore some plugs out of my subaru that were so worn there was barely anything left to it. Still ran, not great, but it ran. Didn't think twice about checking gap on the new plugs since I'd seen the 1/4 inch gap I was running on before

    • @StevesSmallEngineSaloon
      @StevesSmallEngineSaloon  Před 2 lety +2

      I agree!

    • @VitoVeccia
      @VitoVeccia Před 2 lety

      A lot of spark plugs are pre-gapped. Copper ones need to be gapped, but the platinum and iridium sometimes come with a protective sleeve on them. It's used to ensure the gap remains consistent after it leaves the factory. Usually because, there is a puck of metal on the tip of the electrode. And improper gapping techniques can chip off the puck, compromising performance and life span of the plug.

  • @arthurkinderman1614
    @arthurkinderman1614 Před 2 lety

    love the videos
    can you do a video on how to adjust the carburetor specifically on a sthil fs120

  • @watcherofwatchers
    @watcherofwatchers Před 2 lety +1

    I haven't checked a spark plug gap in 25+ years. Lol

  • @boastyy
    @boastyy Před rokem

    Just watched an excellent video on explaining the workings of the coil. Was a very in depth video showing why they fail, heat, insulation etc. It said having too big of a spark plug gap causes the coil to run hotter. As heat "from the engine" and from the the electricity generated by the coil cause the break down of the insulation in the wires inside the coil and cause them to fail he says the spark plug gap is important.

  • @RaleysSmallEngines
    @RaleysSmallEngines Před 2 lety +1

    Pretty AWESOME video my friend

  • @tjclarke4604
    @tjclarke4604 Před rokem +1

    Cheers again from Calgary Steve! I have been telling customers and friends alike this for years. Funny how few believe me and instead buy into the BS. But seriously man, Lucky Lager? More like Yucky Lager, lol!

  • @marksmith9295
    @marksmith9295 Před 2 lety +3

    Good video Steve. Could you do a followup video showing proper use of spark testers and maybe recommend a decent brand? Thanks

    • @johncollins8304
      @johncollins8304 Před 2 lety

      Yeh, and clarify that they're not testing spark plugs: they're testing the ignition system up to but not including the spark plug... I think! At least I'd like that to be clarified for me!
      Thanks Steve, from France.

    • @marksmith9295
      @marksmith9295 Před 2 lety +1

      Good point John. I should have expanded on your note as well as I often check for spark by grounding the ignition lead with a tester. I found the automotive type dont work that well for two stroke engines.

  • @yakncast7530
    @yakncast7530 Před 2 lety +1

    Cheers. Here tapping my dos xx to your cold one.

  • @DunnMotors
    @DunnMotors Před 3 měsíci +1

    Thanks for the videos, because I was sweating it. I have a engine in a vehicle that has no paperwork or information and the plugs are shot. So I guess I'll do better 30 and 45?
    It's a older 302 fuel injection engine in a Jeep . It's a custom build With no documentation .

  • @07szim
    @07szim Před 6 měsíci

    Honestly whichever was the first the engine sounds like is running much better than the second one. ☝🏻

  • @tevman69
    @tevman69 Před 2 lety +1

    One word, WOW!

  • @globalobserver8934
    @globalobserver8934 Před 2 lety +7

    Lesson is, if it wont start, dont spend all day fiddling with spark plug gaps. cheers