NGK Iridium gaps?

[Steve the Kiwi]

I've just brought some Irdium IX's for the 1100. I read somewhere here but can't find it again about leaving the gap on the Iridiums at their factory gap of 0.762mm, as apposed to the BMW spec .8mm?

I'm i remembering right? or on crack? Any experience with these? (plugs not crack) What the worst that would happen?

 

[Tsiklonaut]

0.762 or 0.8 isn't much difference. From my experiences +/-0.2mm "play" is no problem on low revving GS. And plugs last at least twice the service interval. It's the salesmen who want 'em to be replaced at every 12 miles. I use my plugs at least 20K miles, and they still don't show any wear marks. Iridiums should last twice the normal plugs, so expect more on Iridiums. I have Iridiums too, use them as backup/spare plugs on my travels, have tried them multiple times but I see no advantage (engine performance or fuel consumption) in them on low revving boxer other than longetivity (but £££ pricier), so I stick with regular Bosch/NGK plugs mostly.

Iridium's anode is very fragile tho, I've heard they can break and fell into cylinder w/o warning if you've adjusted the plugs too much or multiple times (crack in anode). Just put it on in the factory setting and you'll be allright for at least 20Kmiles. Easy as that

 

[Steve the Kiwi]

Well I've just ran a gauge through the two plugs and one is .8 the other .75mm. I've also just read that NGK recommend you don't gap them due to as you mention the very fine centre electrode is prone to breaking. I figure it would be wise to have the plugs equal, and .5 is proberly a bit too much so I'll see how gentle i am! I got them from Louis.de whilst in Essen on Saturday. They were on special for 12eur which beats the 21eur here in NL! so i thought at that price I'll grab them.

I haven't done the plugs since getting the bike 2 months 7000km ago and it's been two years since the preivous owner did them. In the last 2000km She's started to take a turn or two more when cold to start ( when used regularly she did go first pop) So i figure it's about time

Cheers

 

[Tsiklonaut]

Well I've just ran a gauge through the two plugs and one is .8 the other .75mm.

It it was me I wouldn't touch 'em. For me 0.05mm difference is nonexistent for a robust boxer. If more than 0.1mm, then I'd adjust them even.

Anyways, make your own decision. Just ride the thing and don't worry too much

 

[dubster]

It it was me I wouldn't touch 'em. For me 0.05mm difference is nonexistent for a robust boxer. If more than 0.1mm, then I'd adjust them even.

Anyways, make your own decision. Just ride the thing and don't worry too much

Thank you Tsiklonaut... for us latecomers this is still a very useful post after all this time

edit: I wouldn't have touched them anyway, the electrode 'pin' looks way too easy to fubar on this one.

 

[Deleted account 220427001]

gaps in plugs open up in time anyway as they are getting used bought some champion plugs for my r1150gs

 

[Cyrus]

If you want to see plug wear then try running twin V4 100hp two-stroke outboards - you need another boat chasing you with a load of spare plugs!

Having said that, my outboard mechanic says he's never come across a plug that needs adjusting out of the box so I expect he's in the same school of thought as Tsiklonaut i.e. 0.05mm just doesn't matter.

 

[uncle dick]

NGK recommend 0.8 in a 1100GS - for either type of plug. FWIW, you should NEVER use the centre electrode in any sort of gap adjusting procedure. I fit Iridiums in all my stuff and love them - especially on some of the newer bikes which are set to run so bloody lean.

 

[Steptoe]

This thread was originally started in 2008..

 

[cookie]

This thread was originally started in 2008..

those fancy plugs last a very long time.

 

[Steptoe]

those fancy plugs last a very long time.

Lets hope the plug gap is smaller than the time gap between the posts.