Technical Spark plug gap ?

[marty61]

Can anyone tell me the spark plug gap for my car. The plugs are NGK ZKR7A-10. Cheers

 

[T-Jet 120]

I never thought you still had to set the gap on most spark plugs these days, i though they came preset to the car? Have you tried the owners handbook?

 

[marty61]

Hi.

There is nothing in the handbook and i cant find anything on the eLEARN dvd, unless i looked in the wrong place. Even if they come preset i still check them anyway.

 

[Eds Panda]

I also have the same questions for the NGK 1691 ZKR7A-10, I bought them for my 2012 Fiat Panda type 3
The gaps from factory are 0.8 and 0.9 , mind you I only bought 4, so what gives?
I haven’t been able to find any info that says what the gaps should be on the spark plugs for the 2012 type 3 manufactured on 14,02,2012 any help with the gaps is greatly appreciated.
Thanks Ed
Here are some pics, hope it helps.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I also have the same questions for the NGK 1691 ZKR7A-10, I bought them for my 2012 Fiat Panda type 3
The gaps from factory are 0.8 and 0.9 , mind you I only bought 4, so what gives?
I haven’t been able to find any info that says what the gaps should be on the spark plugs for the 2012 type 3 manufactured on 14,02,2012 any help with the gaps is greatly appreciated.
Thanks Ed
Here are some pics, hope it helps.

I assume the plugs shown in your picture are NGK-ZKR7A-10 (or equivalent)? I say this because they have the extended centre electrode of the later spec plug. The almost identical looking NGK- DCPR7E-N10 has a shorted centre electrode which protrudes less far into the combustion chamber. As far as I know from my knowledge of the FIRE engines the DCPR7E-N10 is fitted to the pre VVT 60hp Fire engines (my 2010 60hp 1.2 Panda has them) and the ZKR7A-10 is found in the later 69hp engines with the VVT pulley. So it was in the 500 from the beginning of production - several people have set me straight on that one, thanks koalar, JRK, and others. and in the Pandas from sometime in 2011/12 when the VVT engine appeared in the last of the 169 models. My boy's 1.4 Punto also used the ZKR plugs but it was a 2012 1,4 8 valve Punto with VVT.

As regards plug gaps. I seem to remember seeing something about them being around the gap you quote - 0.8/0.9 - however, many many years ago, when points type ignition was the norm, 25 thou (thousands of an inch) was pretty much what all plugs were set to. When electronic ignition systems really got going they seemed, in the majority, to all be set at 30 thou or just slightly over. 0.8mm is just a fraction bigger than 30 thou and 0.9 is just under 36 thou. For better or worse I've set plugs at 30 thou for more years than I can remember and never had problems with misfires, coil damage etc, etc. As wider gaps force the coil/s to work harder I'm very happy with setting them around 30 thou. I'd have a rethink if I was getting running problems but I don't and, historically haven't.

Is that helpful?

Just remember that plugs are preset for use out of the box these days and adjusting them by bending the side electrode is not recommended as it can weaken them. However I've done it, carefully, for most of my adult life and never had an electrode detach. Of course, never "fiddle" with the relatively brittle centre electrode and never Fiddle with long life plugs at all.

 

[GrandePunto PL]

Question is not relevant these days. Not your business what's the gap. And you don't alter it (replace worn out sparkplug).
NGK had in the past 1,0 mm gap. Which exact model, don't remember (and don't care).
Champion 0,9 mm.
Denso 0,8 mm.
Doesn't matter on gasoline/petrol. Makes a bit difference if you have LPG.
Problems (lack of power) develop if the gap is over 1,2-1,3 mm, maybe. But still no fault codes.

Thread Closed.
Next.

 

[Mike1alike]

When electronic ignition systems really got going they seemed, in the majority, to all be set at 30 thou or just slightly over. 0.8mm is just a fraction bigger than 30 thou and 0.9 is just under 36 thou. For better or worse I've set plugs at 30 thou for more years than I can remember and never had problems with misfires, coil damage etc, etc. As wider gaps force the coil/s to work harder I'm very happy with setting them around 30 thou. I'd have a rethink if I was getting running problems but I don't and, historically haven't.

They say NGK 4983 DCPR7E-N-10 gap is 1.0 mm (.039"). Is that too much for the FIRE engine 1.2 8V?

 

[GrandePunto PL]

No, it is not "too much". And you should not focus on one parameter only.
There are other things going on in the engine. Timing, compression, valve clearance etc.
In case of problems, that 0,1-0,2 mm gap difference between brands is irrelevant.

Of course beware counterfeit parts and the cheapest ones (cables/leads can give more trouble than the sparkplugs).

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

They say NGK 4983 DCPR7E-N-10 gap is 1.0 mm (.039"). Is that too much for the FIRE engine 1.2 8V?

Obviously a lot of research has gone into the best gap for any engine/coil combination. So following manufacturer spec is desirable. If that's what's quoted then I'd follow the recommended spec. The plug you mention above is the plug for the older, 60hp, pre VVT engine. I wouldn't be surprised if the gap for the later VVT engine is the same. Most garages will have a book giving specs for service settings - like valve clearances and plug gaps. maybe you could ask? I find my local FIAT dealer is actually quite obliging with this sort of info. Not if you ring the service desk, they seem to know nothing, but if I ring the stores I often get the info I'm wanting.

 

[Eds Panda]

I assume the plugs shown in your picture are NGK-ZKR7A-10 (or equivalent)? I say this because they have the extended centre electrode of the later spec plug. The almost identical looking NGK- DCPR7E-N10 has a shorted centre electrode which protrudes less far into the combustion chamber. As far as I know from my knowledge of the FIRE engines the DCPR7E-N10 is fitted to the pre VVT 60hp Fire engines (my 2010 60hp 1.2 Panda has them) and the ZKR7A-10 is found in the later 69hp engines with the VVT pulley. So it was in the 500 from the beginning of production - several people have set me straight on that one, thanks koalar, JRK, and others. and in the Pandas from sometime in 2011/12 when the VVT engine appeared in the last of the 169 models. My boy's 1.4 Punto also used the ZKR plugs but it was a 2012 1,4 8 valve Punto with VVT.

As regards plug gaps. I seem to remember seeing something about them being around the gap you quote - 0.8/0.9 - however, many many years ago, when points type ignition was the norm, 25 thou (thousands of an inch) was pretty much what all plugs were set to. When electronic ignition systems really got going they seemed, in the majority, to all be set at 30 thou or just slightly over. 0.8mm is just a fraction bigger than 30 thou and 0.9 is just under 36 thou. For better or worse I've set plugs at 30 thou for more years than I can remember and never had problems with misfires, coil damage etc, etc. As wider gaps force the coil/s to work harder I'm very happy with setting them around 30 thou. I'd have a rethink if I was getting running problems but I don't and, historically haven't.

Is that helpful?

Just remember that plugs are preset for use out of the box these days and adjusting them by bending the side electrode is not recommended as it can weaken them. However I've done it, carefully, for most of my adult life and never had an electrode detach. Of course, never "fiddle" with the relatively brittle centre electrode and never Fiddle with long life plugs at all.

Thanks for the quick responses and definitely helpful , yes they are NGK 1691 ZKR7A-10 and at first I gapped them at 0.9 but soon to regap at 0.8. The reason I’m changing them is because I’m sure there original at 133,klm mileage has decreased a little along with decreased power. I absolutely love the Panda because of the easy parking here in Vienna plus it has 2 factory sunroofs which is kinda rare here for a Panda amongst other things. I’ve had it for 4 years and also changed the radio to a stock Panda 2014 hybrid radio with Uconect one with Bluetooth back in 2024, but now after replacing the muffler, the blue &me stoped working and the milage is now blinking. Ugh! But one issue at a time. Thank you once again for the knowledge.

 

[Mike1alike]

The plug you mention above is the plug for the older, 60hp, pre VVT engine

Yes, the engine I asked for is pre VVT, my Punto from 2006.

@GrandePunto PL, you are right, there are other things contributing to how an engine works and as you've mentioned, 0,1-0,2 mm gap difference between brands is irrelevant or makes a little difference. The timing, compression, valve clearance are ok on my engine. I was really curious about plug gap because I didn't find exactly what Fiat recommends for this engine. I found out that NGK DCPR7E-N-10 are suitable and this is what I use. I didn't fiddle with the gap from the exact consideration you've mentioned, that 0.1 or 0.2 mm doesn't make a difference. But I really am curious what's the intended gap the engine's constructor had in mind.

@Eds Panda, hope you don't mind for me stepping into your topic. Being the same subject, I thought it's OK to ask here and not open a different topic with kind of the same question.