Jimi Hondrix

1998 Civic EX stock d16y8, A/T. 149K miles.

I purchased NGK G-powered spark plugs yesterday and gapped them at .044 with a coin style gap tool. Today I remembered that I should have used a wire type gap tool that won't damage the plug's platinum tips. I used a small amount of anti-seize on plug threads, synthetic dielectric grease on tips/boots and torqued them all to 13 ft.lbs.
Seems to run better than it did with previous plugs (no misfires, just aged). I just hope I didn't damage the tips.. Will using a coin style always damage tips or just a possibility of damaging tips?

As a side note the factory gap on these new spark plugs was set at .038

TomCat39

I'd hazard a guess as possibly damage. The platinum tips are rather small. I'm sure you will find out soon enough as the tip goes through it's heat cycling repeatedly and the wear process.

Also on the older honda's, the v-power with the much larger tip is what is recommended/used stock typically so those are gapped to the .043" as required.

The platinum aren't recommended until later models and the gap changed so stock gap would not be .043" as you found. Instead the 0.038" is for the cars that recommend/require the more expensive platinum plugs.

From everything I've seen, there isn't any benefit with going with the platinum plugs over v-power in these older civics.

Jimi Hondrix

These: NGK G Power Spark Plug 7098: Advance Auto Parts
They were out of stock on V-power and weren't much more in price so that's why I purchased them.
I intend to call NGK and ask a technician about using a coin gapper.

TheShodan

iTrader: (14)

I've used a coin gapper for over 25 years on v-power and even iridium. I'm sure you're fine.

Jimi Hondrix

I hope so.. thank you both for your responses.

98civdx

That is the only style I've ever used in my life.

NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

+1. Always used a coin gapper, never once had a problem.

Jimi Hondrix

This is what raised my concern: