Spark plugs.. spark plugs.. spark plugs.........

[Supreme Pizza]

 

     So I have a 2003 Suburban. 5.3L

 

    Original OEM plugs were an ACDelco 41-962 @ 0.060 (Platinum) 

 

    Superseded by an ACDelco 41-110 @ 0.040 (Iridium) 

 

    I bought some 41-110's on eBay, and they were counterfeit, so I sent them back. (seller agreed to pay return shipping to avoid further investigation / reporting of the problem).

 

    I bought some more 41-110's from an online authorized ACDelco re-seller. 

 

    These plugs are legit, but the gap is supposed to be 0.040 - (not suppose to change the gap - throw away and use a new one if gap is off)

 

    7 of the plugs are at 0.039 and and one plug is 0.040. 

 

    Sigh. I just want some plugs fo my ride yo! 

 

 

     Should I go against the program and re-gap all 7? Send them back for properly gapped plugs? If I send these back, the seller will probably just re-gap several of them and send them to me. 

 

      What would yall do? 

[garagerog]

IMO .039 is close enough, with a little wear the gap will increase, so you're good to go, close enough for govt. work or whatever. My point is surely you have more important issues to fret over.

[Supreme Pizza]

Ya, I was leaning that way. The issue is that the iridium plug gap is not going to change as fast a traditional plug. It's designed to stay in specs for 100k miles (the warranty period for the plug). From my understanding- the plug gap being larger will increase power and slightly reduce MPG. I know - its a trivial matter. But hey, what else is a spoiled over-priveleged American going to occupy his time with? Truck runs great, I only bought the plugs because when I pulled one out of my motor, it was clearly worn out and due to be changed. 

[swathdiver]

You could slightly bend the ground electrode without touching the Iridium center electrode tip.  I had one slightly off and did that and am fine.  I would adjust the oddball and leave the other seven alone.

[carkhz316]

On 5/3/2018 at 6:02 AM, swathdiver said:

You could slightly bend the ground electrode without touching the Iridium center electrode tip.  I had one slightly off and did that and am fine.  I would adjust the oddball and leave the other seven alone.

I've also bent them, carefully, with no issues and thousands of miles.

 

OP, just wondering......how could you tell they were counterfeit? Just curious. Thanks!