When you get a new spark plug, do you check the spark plug gap?
This might be old news, but even a difference of a few thousandths of an inch in this tiny gap could spell engine misfire.
So, what is a spark plug gap?
And why is it so important?
We’ll discuss the spark plug gap in this article — its significance, why you should measure the gap size, how to do so, and a few other related FAQs.
Let’s strike a spark and shed some light
What Is The Spark Plug Gap?
The spark plug gap defines the distance between a spark plug’s center electrode and the ground electrode (also called a ground strap which is a curved piece of steel at the end of the plug).
This gap width is critical so electrical arcing (a “spark”) can occur at the right voltage, igniting the air fuel mixture in an engine’s internal combustion chamber.
Setting the correct gap distance is called “gapping” the spark plug.
But why is the spark gap significant?
