How to gap and replace spark plugs

Spark plugs are on of those automotive terms that almost everyone has heard of. But do you REALLY know the ins and outs of what a spark plug is? Today we are going to explore the wonderful world of your engine’s spark plugs. Remember that this video is an informative and in-depth video. Your vehicle’s engine may have some additional steps to removing or replacing spark plugs. Some cars even have 2 per cylinder. As always please be careful when working on your car.

Join me today as we discuss:

  • What are the parts of a spark plug?
  • What does a spark plug do?
  • What happens after a spark plug “sparks”
  • How to determine spark plug size
  • What is the reach of a spark plug?
  • Determining heat range of a spark plug
  • What happens when a Spark plug is too hot or cold
  • Spark plug gap tools
  • How to gap a spark plug
  • Removing coils and plugs
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “What You Need To Know About Spark Plugs” on YouTube.

As always I love to hear your thoughts. Please post them in the comments section below. Again, if you have a question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)humblemechanic(dot)com with Question for Charles in the subject. Also if you have an idea for a show you can email me, or use the contact me form!

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Spark plugs are something that are often taken for granted. That is until our engine has a problem. Almost everyone has heard of Denso and their roll in the spark plug world. Now, I know what your are thinking “Charles, you are a Euro guy, Denso plugs are for Asian imports”. Well you are right, Denso’s Iridium TT Spark Plugs work awesome in that environment. In fact I ran Denso Plugs in my wife’s Nissan. Denso also makes spark plugs to fit a number of application, and is the choice of tuning companies like NeuSpeed. Denso TT plugs are also on rebate so you can save a up to $16 http://DENSO.rapid-rebates.com

Photo - Denso - Iridium TT Spark Plug - Spark Plug ProfileNow there is more than meets the eye when it comes to spark plugs. I have replaced tons of spark plugs over the years of fixing cars. While many of them were simply due to maintenance, there have been plenty of failed spark plugs. Some times that means the spark plug was faulty, other times it was due to the wrong spark plugs being stalled. Installing great quality spark plugs is vital to engine performance, power, and fuel economy

Twin Tip Technology
The technology behind Iridium Twin Tip is less obstruction to the spark allowing an omni-directional explosion. This minimizes the quenching effect and results in a more effective, more complete combustion.  The large center and ground electrodes seen on a Standard Plug increases “quenching” of the explosion, meaning the spark explosion is restricted by the electrodes above and below the gap, allowing it to spread to either side, but not grow with full range. Twin Tip Technology overcomes this with a unique design, there are literally two “tips”: a 0.4-millimeter Iridium center electrode, and a 0.7-millimeter Platinum ground electrode.

There are a lot of aspects of vehicle maintenance and repair that require the proper parts. So whether you are driving a stock Acura, or a modified car, do not let poor quality spark plugs hinder your engine performance and fuel economy. You can pick up Denso spark plugs as well as many engine parts at http://DENSOautoparts.com/where-to-buy.

“This is a sponsored blog; while the views expressed here were genuinely mine, consideration was paid to me by DENSO to review this product”

DENSO-TT-power-economy-endurance-BG

Today I will be taking your automotive questions. If you have a question about a car, car repair, DIYs on your car, Volkswagen, mechanic’s tools, or anything car related, ask it up. If you have a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com.  Be sure to put the phrase “Question for Charles” in the subject. That is the best way to avoid the spam monster. If you don’t get your question on this show, email it again just to be sure.

Sponsor of the Day

CRP AUTOCRP deals in a ton of OE automotive parts. They also make the factory DSG fluid for VW. Having them as a sponsor will give us access to more information about fluids than I would ever get from VW. I am really excited to have them as a resource of information. To learn more about the great products they have, check out CRPAutomotive.com

Join me today as I answer your questions on:

  • TSI vs FSI engines
  • Top 5 VW TSI Engine Failures
  • 2010 Jetta radio failures
  • Using SEAFOAM to clean carbon from intake valves
  • Getting into the automotive business
  • Flipping cars
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 136” on YouTube.

As always I love to hear your thoughts. Please post them in the comments section below. Again, if you have a question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)humblemechanic(dot)com with Question for Charles in the subject. Also if you have an idea for a show you can email me, or use the contact me form!

Don’t forget to follow me at:

NASCAR Pit TourIt turns out there is more to NASCAR than just making a car go left. Today we are talking some really interesting things about NASCAR from a former crew member and NASCAR expert. We are also going to learn about how important a sponsor like Pennzoil is to a NASCAR team. Pennzoil engine oil on Amazon 

The YouTube fellas in my group!

Join me today as we chat:
~Meeting fellow YouTubers
~Chat with Joey Logano
~The BEST tour!
~NASCAR Dry sump oil system and heating engine oil
~Race fuel, fuel cans, and E15 gas
~Todd Gordan Joey’s Crew Chief
~Why it’s important to Team Penske to have Pennzoil.
~Engine oil from natural gas?
~DIY engine oil change
~and more

This video has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #Kobalt400 #Pennzoil

Trouble viewing? Watch “Do You Know NASCAR and Engine Oil?” on YouTube.

As always I love to hear your thoughts. Please post them in the comments section below. Also if you have an idea for a show you can email me, or use the contact me form!

Don’t forget to follow me at:

Today I will be taking your automotive questions. If you have a question about a car, car repair, DIYs on your car, Volkswagen, mechanic’s tools, or anything car related, ask it up. If you have a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com.  Be sure to put the phrase “Question for Charles” in the subject. That is the best way to avoid the spam monster. If you don’t get your question on this show, email it again just to be sure.

Sponsor of the Day

CRP AUTOCRP deals in a ton of OE automotive parts. They also make the factory DSG fluid for VW. Having them as a sponsor will give us access to more information about fluids than I would ever get from VW. I am really excited to have them as a resource of information. To learn more about the great products they have, check out CRPAutomotive.com

Join me today as I answer your questions on:


Trouble viewing? Watch “Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 135” on YouTube.

As always I love to hear your thoughts. Please post them in the comments section below. Again, if you have a question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)humblemechanic(dot)com with Question for Charles in the subject. Also if you have an idea for a show you can email me, or use the contact me form!

Don’t forget to follow me at:

NOCO GB70Today we are going to be check out the NOCO GB70 Genius Booster. This is a small booster pack to help jump start cars. I have used several jump packs to jump start cars. This is quite a bit different than a standard jump box. It can also do more than a plan jump box will do. How does this one measure up? Will it actually jump start a car? Should you spend your hard earned money on this jump start pack? You will have to watch to find out.

Join me as we review the NOCO GB70

  • Buy the Noco GB70 on Amazon
  • What’s included with the GB70
  • Specs for the GB70
  • LED light
  • Things I like about the GB70
  • Things I don’t like about the GB70
  • Is this for the average consumer?
  • Do I like this as a technician?
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “NOCO Genius Boost HD GB70 Jump Starter ~ Review” on YouTube.

As always I love to hear your thoughts. Please post them in the comments section below. Again, if you have a product for a show like this, email me Charles(at)humblemechanic(dot)com with Review for Charles in the subject. Also if you have an idea for a show you can email me, or use the contact me form!

Don’t forget to follow me at:

mk5 Air ride Southern Worthersee

This is a MK5 from SOWO a few years ago

The MK5 or A5 platform car consists of the Jetta, Rabbit, GTI, and Jetta SportWagen.The MKV came out as a 2005.5 and finished up with about model year 2010. They had their share of common VW issues too. Today we are talking about their biggest failures. It is also the first new car to come out after I became a VW tech. It was also great because the architecture of the car systems was like a light version of the Touareg.

Sponsor Of The Day
Today’s show is sponsored by Deutsche Auto Parts. They are the VW and Audi parts experts. They have great prices and awesome service. Plus they work really hard on a ton of VW DIY videos. Paul and the fellas at DAP are awesome. When you are shopping for VW Parts Online be sure to check them out.

Join me today as we discuss:

  • Failing MK5 door latches
  • Failing MK5 rear brakes
  • Failing MK5 softtouch
  • Common MK5 airbag light issues
  • Sagging MK5 headliners
  • Rapid fire failures, oil leaks, CV boots, camshafts, wheel bearings
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “Top 5 Failures of MK5 Volkswagens” on YouTube.

As always I love to hear your thoughts. Please post them in the comments section below. Again, if you have a question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)humblemechanic(dot)com with Question for Charles in the subject. Also if you have an idea for a show you can email me, or use the contact me form!

Don’t forget to follow me at: