tune up question plugs etc.

[mikey]

Have not been on this site for several months. 02 PT soon will have 50,000 miles. Need to change plugs. What is current recommendation for platinum plug? Also I remember some controversy regarding plug gap, is it .50 or .45? Any other gizmos to be replaced such as egr valve, etc.at 50,000? MIKE IN TEXAS.

[CREWZIN]

Mike,
From our resident expert and certified mechanic (MX-5):

There was an earlier Chrysler service bulletin to gap the spark plugs at .040 instead of .050. Drivability is improved as well as overall performance. No effect on gas mileage, although some owners reported better gas mileage numbers.

Also...if you haven't changed plug wires, they should also be done. Don't mess with the egr vlave unless your having trouble or you get a computer code that says somethings wrong.

[tpscruiser]

Only thing I can think of to add is the Champion double Plat plugs P/N is 7570.

[Mean Green]

Used Bosch double platinum on my wife's '04 PT and car runs great. They were already pregapped according to the auto store where we bought them.

[quicksilverdon]

Agree (as usual) w/Crewzin - WIRES. The stock wires are crap. I think the best for $ are Crane wires www.RaceAndStreet.Com - only 25 ohms/ft.
I replaced plugs on my '02 w/champion platinums - checked the gap on the new ones - ranged from 0.028 - 0.052 or something like that ... pregapped....[xx(]

[ruzz1]

How do u gap the spark plugs to 0.04? I just changed mine at the dealer and assumed that they will install with the correct gap. I hope they know the correct gap. They use the normal recomended plugs as per chrysler service book. is this sufficient?

[Hooligan]

ruzz1, Dealer plugs are NOT the best as they have problems.
I bought a 2006 and right away I noticed a "slight" hesitation at idle after about 250 miles. I replaced the plugs with Champion 7570 gapped at .040 and MOPAR performance wires and NO more hesitation!!!

[quicksilverdon]

quote:Originally posted by ruzz1

How do u gap the spark plugs to 0.04? I just changed mine at the dealer and assumed that they will install with the correct gap. I hope they know the correct gap. They use the normal recomended plugs as per chrysler service book. is this sufficient?

Any auto parts place will have gapping gauges - usually by checkout - I use a disk that has a "ramp" around the edge - the "ramp" is marked with various thicknesses.
To widen gap, I push the edge of a piece of wood under the lip of the top electrode - nearly parallel to the plug ceramic - NEVER pry the top wider by leveraging on the center.

If car runs okay, I'd say you're okay.
To close gap, I tap the top on a block of wood.