Do I need new spark plugs

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May 19, 2004 | 08:47 PM

Frank Lang

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Do I need new spark plugs

I took the spark plugs out to clean and re-gap them (they were replaced 18,000 miles ago). They looked clean, slightly grey/brown, but no oil or deposits on them. But on a couple of them the curved metal piece at the tip of the plug, (ie. where the spark jumps across) that one adjusts to get the right gap, seemed quite thin, as if it were either wearing a bit or maybe a piece of the metal had chipped off--the length of that piece was normal, but the underside seemed to be missing a bit, making the gap much larger than on the remaining plugs. I cleaned all plugs, and re-gapped them all. If the parts store were open, I would have replaced the plug, but instead I just re-inserted them. Do I need to replace these plugs now, or are they o.k., now that they are cleaned and re-gapped, even if the tips don't look quite as thick as the other plugs?
Thanks for any replies.
Frank.

May 19, 2004 | 11:03 PM

MustangGT221

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From: Topsfield, MA

Well usually the tip will get round at the top when it's an old plug. I would leave them if the engine runs fine, but it would probably run a little better w/ new plugs.