Proper Gap Of Oem Platinum Plugs

I am picking up my 92 with 99k miles tomorrow and the plugs have never been changed. I bought oem platinum plugs and I want to make sure my mechanic gaps them properly. It runs fine now but I am having him flush trans. and ad cooler and external filter so I want to do this at same time. Thanks. Bill

[SilverSpear]

mmmm, that will take some time !!! especially the plugs.

[n00b on demand]

How long do plugs take if you want to do it yourself?

[Hocrest]

I just did mine the other week in about 90 minutes...

[n00b on demand]

was it your first time doing it?

[Hocrest]

yeah, it was the first time on the SVX...

Now that I know how to do it, I may be able to get it done in 60-75 minutes next time

Seriously, search the posts and the "How-To".
It is not that difficult, but very time consuming. There is very little room to work. You are going to want to pull the the air intake, the battery and the coolant overflow tank.

A couple tips that I don't remember reading on previous posts...
- A 12mm racheting wrench is helpful for the bolts holding the coils in place, but you will also use a 12mm socket and a normal 12mm combination wrench. (and your fingers and a socket)
- It is sometimes easier to turn the ratchet from underneath the car, once the socket is placed from above.
- It is also better sometimes not to fully engage the rachet into the extension. In other words, push it in enough to turn it, but not to engage the ball catch.
- Jack the front of the car up (on jackstands of course). This will give access to the "fender pass through" on the drivers side. It will also make it easier to retreive all the tools you will drop while working.
- Don't re-install the front coil until the middle plug is done. Pull the front coil up and back so the wire doesn't block your access to the middle coil/plug.

When I went to do this I allowed 3 hours, just to be safe.

I was surprised and happy when I got it done in about 90 minutes

But what is the gap you use on the plugs and are you using oem plugs. Bill

[Chiketkd]

Originally posted by vwmrbill11
I am picking up my 92 with 99k miles tomorrow and the plugs have never been changed. I bought oem platinum plugs and I want to make sure my mechanic gaps them properly. It runs fine now but I am having him flush trans. and ad cooler and external filter so I want to do this at same time. Thanks. Bill

If you bought the stock NGK Platinum Plugs then they do not need to be re-gapped.

Also, it's not advisable to get your trans flushed. It hurts a high mileage trans rather then provides any benefit. Simply have him drain it and replace the amount of ATF.

If you want a more thorough drain of your 4EAT, have the mechanic drop the tranny pan and wipe it clean before reinstalling. Should also drain a few more quarts of ATF if pan is dropped.

-Chike

[Hocrest]

sorry... that was the original question...

Here is a link to the "How To" on this site;
http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/user.php?How-To|14266

It is a good write up and includes gapping info.

A trick I've learned whilst changing plugs on a good number of vehicles:

Keep a short length of fuel hose around. Might be 5/8 OD, I don't recall at the moment. The right size, though, will fit right over the end of the plug. Now you have a short, somewhat flexible extension to help you get the plug started into the engine. The friction fit won't transfer much torque, so there's no worry of cross-threading, and it's very helpful when you just can't get your fingers in there.

Changing the plugs on my air-cooled VW engine was nearly impossible without this. The plugs are accessed through cutouts in the air-channeling engine shroud. When I removed the tin after pulling the engine, there were two plugs that had been dropped inside and were rolling around on top of the case...

Then again, that engine used nearly nine feet of flexible fuel hose, run from the tank all over the top of the engine. Only the fuel rails were solid. This, in a high-pressure FI system. And they wonder why the things kept catching on fire...