[Blue Angel]

It would definitely be cheap fix if it works.

The cheapest fix is making sure your existing plugs are gapped properly. That should make a big difference if you're one of the lucky ones with plug gaps all over the map and some down near .020".

Stepping up to a set of BKR7E plugs is a further improvement over properly gapped OE plugs. Improved low RPM response (especially with a manual transmission), and smoother idle most noticeable with the AC running. Set-em at .030" and you'll be good to go.

 

[NYCruze2012]

OK folks finally got around to regapping the NGK BKR7E plugs I had installed in my car 39,000 miles ago. I started to get what felt like spark plug blowout within the higher RPM range. I probably should have either replaced them or regapped them around 30,000 miles like we all decided was the proper time to do it. Here are the gaps on these plugs after 39,000 miles.

Now standing in front of my car with the serpentine belt on my left and the battery on my right, so I'm going to call it cylinder 1 on my left side progressing to cylinder 4 on my right side which would be closest to the driver side. #1-0.48, #2-0.50, #3-0.47, #4-0.51. After seeing these numbers no wonder I am getting spark plug blowout. I know this sounds incredible but I swear these are the gaps on my plugs before I regapped them. Just let you all know I'm a 2012 Eco 6MT with factory tune. No Trifecta or Vermont tuning upgrades.

Now with these large gaps I can tell you that I was surprised that the car was idling normally and that the stumble wasnt tremendously annoying. Idle was normal, car still pulled going thru the gears, and it wasnt too bad on the highway either in regards to mpg's or even passing ability. The tips of the plugs were shorter to some degree but the carved out "v" in the tip was still quite visible.


Sent from my last surviving brain cell

 

[jblackburn]

Wow! I'm surprised it ran well at all!

 

[NYCruze2012]

Wow! I'm surprised it ran well at all!

Honestly me too! Very surprised!

 

[Merc6]

OK folks finally got around to regapping the NGK BKR7E plugs I had installed in my car 39,000 miles ago. I started to get what felt like spark plug blowout within the higher RPM range. I probably should have either replaced them or regapped them around 30,000 miles like we all decided was the proper time to do it. Here are the gaps on these plugs after 39,000 miles.

Now standing in front of my car with the serpentine belt on my left and the battery on my right, so I'm going to call it cylinder 1 on my left side progressing to cylinder 4 on my right side which would be closest to the driver side. #1-0.48, #2-0.50, #3-0.47, #4-0.51. After seeing these numbers no wonder I am getting spark plug blowout. I know this sounds incredible but I swear these are the gaps on my plugs before I regapped them.

Now with these large gaps I can tell you that I was surprised that the car was idling normally and that the stumble wasnt tremendously annoying. Idle was normal, car still pulled going thru the gears, and it wasnt too bad on the highway either in regards to mpg's or even passing ability. The tips of the plugs were shorter to some degree but the carved out "v" in the tip was still quite visible.


Sent from my last surviving brain cell

TL;DR(entire thread not your post) for mod list, were those gaps on stock tune?

The cheapest fix is making sure your existing plugs are gapped properly. That should make a big difference if you're one of the lucky ones with plug gaps all over the map and some down near .020".

Stepping up to a set of BKR7E plugs is a further improvement over properly gapped OE plugs. Improved low RPM response (especially with a manual transmission), and smoother idle most noticeable with the AC running. Set-em at .030" and you'll be good to go.

yeah mine were .020 and under. One of these days I will check the gap for the 2nd set the dealership installed and I took back out in like 100 miles.

 

[NYCruze2012]

TL;DR(entire thread not your post) for mod list, were those gaps on stock tune

yeah mine were .020 and under. One of these days I will check the gap for the 2nd set the dealership installed and I took back out in like 100 miles.

I'm sorry I shouldve clarified that in the post. I'm a 2012 Eco 6M stock tune. No Trifecta or Vermont tune upgrades. *added to original post.

 

[NYCruze2012]

Just a quick update for everyone. Now that the plugs have been regapped back 0.35 like when they came out of the box the car is running fantastically. No hesitation whatsoever.


Sent from my last surviving brain cell

 

[unitednations191]

Just a quick update for everyone. Now that the plugs have been regapped back 0.35 like when they came out of the box the car is running fantastically. No hesitation whatsoever.


Sent from my last surviving brain cell

Mine won't run at all above .33 spark blow out bad. , .28 is PERFECT for me. Odd isn't it?

 

[unitednations191]

The cheapest fix is making sure your existing plugs are gapped properly. That should make a big difference if you're one of the lucky ones with plug gaps all over the map and some down near .020".

Stepping up to a set of BKR7E plugs is a further improvement over properly gapped OE plugs. Improved low RPM response (especially with a manual transmission), and smoother idle most noticeable with the AC running. Set-em at .030" and you'll be good to go.

I stand by this statement 1000000000000000%. Bkr7e plugs in this thing ARE wonderful!

 

[NYCruze2012]

Mine won't run at all above .33 spark blow out bad. , .28 is PERFECT for me. Odd isn't it?

See I am a 1.4L untuned motor. Are you the same or is your motor tuned?

Sent from my last surviving brain cell

 

[Cru]

Where can I Go to to figure out how to do this for myself. Is the 'gap' mentioned just torque figures from a torque wrench? Kinda need a hand in doing this.

 

[jblackburn]

Where can I Go to to figure out how to do this for myself. Is the 'gap' mentioned just torque figures from a torque wrench? Kinda need a hand in doing this.

http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/129-engine-transmission/6722-diy-re-gap-factory-spark-plugs.html

 

[NYCruze2012]

Just an update here. After I regapped the spark plugs the car was running absolutely fine but I am not 100% happy about the way it feels. I went out today and bought a new set of the NGK#4644 plugs or BKR7E V-Power plugs as we all know them to be. I'm not sure if it is a slight hesitation or a little flutter that I feel. Or perhaps I'm just being oversensitive. I really should not complain about getting 39000 miles out of them. Instead of regapping I'm just going to be smart and replace them.

Sent from my last surviving brain cell

 

[Merc6]

You never had a PCV issue right?

 

[NYCruze2012]

You never had a PCV issue right?

Not that I am aware of Merc6. When I install the new plugs and if it persists and then I will check the PCV

Sent from my last surviving brain cell

 

[SneakerFix]

Not that I am aware of Merc6. When I install the new plugs and if it persists and then I will check the PCV

Sent from my last surviving brain cell

have you checked the springs inside the coil packs

 

[NYCruze2012]

have you checked the springs inside the coil packs

Always! Been down that road before. Honestly I just think it's the plugs.

Sent from my last surviving brain cell

 

[NYCruze2012]

I just wanted to add a quick update here. After I regapping my spark plugs and making sure they were all set to the proper gaps as I had mentioned before I was still getting a slight feeling of the spark plug breaking up slightly during ignition. For the $10 for new spark plugs I just decided to purchase them anyway. Problem solved! No hesitation or feeling of the ignition breaking up.

Sent from my last surviving brain cell

 

[ldogg1579]

/subbed
And attempting this change this weekend...

 

[Ajn]

I'm having this issue on my 2014 Cruze Eco. I have the ZZP intake and can hear the turbo stop and start to spool over and over under low rpm acceleration when I have the hesitation. Quite annoying. I am only 300 miles on the stock plugs. Guess I'll be swapping them out.