WARNING !! WARNING !! About brand new sparkplugs I bought.

[cyclops222]

I have had a annoying, but safe problem with the 1986 2 stroke Evinrude 30hp motor. Last year and this year so far. The engine is running ODDLY. It starts cold with needing a lot of choking squirts by pushing the key switch down for a second or 2 each time every 5 or 10 seconds.
The sparkplug looks SOAKED with shiny oil on all of the metal and white ceramic center insulator. There is also a small coating of black carbon on the circular metal end of the body.
BUUTT
It does not affect the warmed up running of the engine above idle speed. It does create a hesitation or a complete stalled out engine on a rapid acceleration from a dead stop.
The reason for the VERY nice constant lubrication of the engine ??
I have poor eye sight in my last working eye. I was not checking the SPARKPLUG GAP of the brand new NGK sparkplugs. NGK BR8HS / 4322. The gap on all 4 brand new and older spares is................ .020 " ........I have never had new plugs set that close from the NGK factory. I opened the gaps to ......... .040" .........Correct gap setting.
Shazam!! All the regapped sparkplugs are looking like BRAND NEW. And the motor does not need any choking. Has no hesitation or a complete stall if quickly moved from idle speed while in any gear position.

So I relearned a basic truth about companies today. You can not depend on brand new parts to keep your motor running perfectly.............Why you must ONLY change 1 part at a time. So you have a good reason to suspect it is defective. And keep checking the new parts.
A I The perfect excuse for brand new rejects. At sky high prices.
Everyone I will check my NAPA small round sparkplug gapping tool to see if it is close enough at .040"

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, it is standard practice to gap new conventional spark plugs, no? Iridium plug gaps are usually set at the factory, because they can be damaged if the used tries to set their gap.

 

[jlh3rd]

yep....I always check the gap of my new plugs.

 

[dubs283]

It is standard practice to check spark plug gap prior to install every time even with plugs not recommended for gap adjustment

Maybe the packaging was moved violently, dropped, kicked, set on fire, etc...does that mean every new plug out of every new package is correct? No, and it only takes a minute or two to check proper gap. If you're not comfortable adjusting the gap on that type of plug just get another new one, if it's wrong out of the box it's wrong and not your fault

 

[garbageguy]

I hear ya on the getting hard to to see things - sorry to hear of your difficulties. But glad to know its not just me.

good point
"You can not depend on brand new parts to keep your motor running perfectly........."

 

[Grub54891]

Always check the gap. Those or any plugs can fit several different engines. How does the factory know what you are putting them in?

 

[Lpgc]

On some NGK precious metal plugs (platinum / iridium) the last 2 numbers (if present) are the pre-set gap in 1/10ths of a millimetre.

 

[roscoe]

Sparkplugs are replaceable ?

 

[Grub54891]

Sparkplugs are replaceable ?

Personally I don’t care for champions, but this ad always comes to mind.

 

[cyclops222]

I think Lpge is correct. The last 2 numbers of my plugs are 22. And the Feeler Gauge read .022" from the factory.

 

[flashback]

I have never put a plug in an engine unless I gapped It.

 

[airshot]

Personally I don’t care for champions, but this ad always comes to mind.

In many years gone by, Champion were the go to plugs for OMC engines, other brands never seem to work the same or last as long. Just the opposite in Merc engines, and chain saws where NGK was the plug of choice. The Quicksilver plugs I know use are NGK with an extra Quicksilver decal.

 

[Silvertip]

I sure hope that shade tree mechanics realize that the same spark plug, regardless of manufacturer, can be specified and used in many different engines from various manufacturers and each of them may specifiy a different spark plug gap. Spark plug manufacturers do not have a specific spark plug properly gapped for every application. They would need to have many different part numbers even though the plug was identical except for the gap. Buy new plugs you gap them according to the engine manufacturers requirements. And just so you know, the ground electrode (especially on Champions) is rarely aligned with the center electrode. Fix it for optimum performance.

 

[Texasmark]

Gee, it is standard practice to gap new conventional spark plugs, no? Iridium plug gaps are usually set at the factory, because they can be damaged if the used tries to set their gap.

The problem is the center post is fragile. Must use the utmost care. I installed a set on my engine and they came set to 0.030 and my engine requires 0.040. Was careful and didn't have a problem.

 

[dubs283]

the same spark plug, regardless of manufacturer, can be specified and used in many different engines from various manufacturers and each of them may specifiy a different spark plug gap. Spark plug manufacturers do not have a specific spark plug properly gapped for every application.

Some spark plugs are interchangeable/appropriate for different ignition systems and are subject to different specs regarding gap.

There are some ignition systems that require specific plugs that are part of the design, as in the ignition system requires that specific make/model/gap to perform at desired/intended performance. The companies that have been and still are manufacturing ignition systems that have been in place for multiple years/decades have a lot of experience when it comes to design. Like ridiculous amounts of testing and proven market results

Spark plug manufacturers that have been in existence for a long time have a pretty good relationship with the ignition manufacturers and adjust their products/specs accordingly

 

[briangcc]

Umm I've always had to re-gap plugs before installation. It's a given.

That's since I started helping my grandfather, former GM mechanic, do maintenance on our vehicles back in the 80's. So manufacturers haven't changed.

 

[legalfee]

Get these:

 

[cyclops222]

I tried Surface Firing Sparkplugs. Were too easily fouled up by my almost constant trolling at Idle Speed.

 

[airshot]

I tried Surface Firing Sparkplugs. Were too easily fouled up by my almost constant trolling at Idle Speed.

That is why you need a small kicker motor !

 

[cyclops222]

My kicker is also my main motor on the 16' Aluminum with the 1986 Everrude 30 hp2 stroke. The engine Starts instantly Jumps on plane. Uses about 1/2 a gallon a day. I finally bought another red plastic tank so I have a 6 gallon Reserve tank. I screwed up the previous 50 to 1 mixture load. Doubled the oil to 25 to 1. Still ran with shiny spark plug insides.
Getting to be time for me to die. When I do simple mistakes like this.