NGK BKR6EIX - 1.9L What's the gap supposed to be?

[BBuff]

I've searched several places for a couple of days now and I can't find the answer to this question. I even called the dealer and they couldn't tell me what the recommended spark plug gap should be since they only recommend the 4-prong plugs.

So, when I go to install these plugs today what should the GAP be for a 1998 1.9L?

TIA

[Monolith]

What is the current gap? 0.032"?

[BBuff]

Yes, per SparkPlugs.com the OE gap is .032". The dealer recommended BKR6QUP. On SparkPlugs.com I see BKR6EQUP. Not sure if they're the same but its gap is .032" as well. Since multi-prong plugs can't be gapped, does this mean that the standard gap is .032"?

[Monolith]

The reason I asked is that the -11 version of the these plugs is gapped at 0.043". As long as you don't have the -11 version, I would go with the manufacturer's gap (which is equivalent to 0.8mm). Just check that all four are set the same.

[BBuff]

Thanks for the info. So you're recommending keeping the gap that they come with?

[Monolith]

Yes, as long as it is around 0.032". I'm assuming you have a normally aspirated 1.9.

[BBuff]

That's correct. I see that they're coming .031 and didn't know if I needed to get the extra 1/1000th of an inch.

[Monolith]

No that's fine.

0.8mm is 0.0315"

[Vintage42]

I've searched several places for a couple of days now and I can't find the answer to this question. I even called the dealer and they couldn't tell me what the recommended spark plug gap should be since they only recommend the 4-prong plugs.
So, when I go to install these plugs today what should the GAP be for a 1998 1.9L?

The NGK BKR6EIX Iridium plugs in this post should NOT be used with the 4-cylinder 1.9L engine. I see that some people here have used them, and I just bought a set from a vendor on eBay. So apparently the BKR6EIX will function in the 1.9L motor. However, consider the following:

1. A DIY here at http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/31...nce.html#bleed says "The engine is designed to use multi-electrode plugs...", which is the BKR6EK and not the BKR6EIX.
2. Most eBay vendors have compatibility menus that say the BKR6EIX is not compatible with the 1.9L.
3. NGK's (https://www.ngk.com) Shop By Vehicle page for the Z3 1.9L shows the BKR6EK only,and excludes the BKR6EIX.
4. An email to me from NGK's Tech Support says: "The 1.9L does only use the BKR6EK, but the 2.8L can use the BKR6EIX."

They are very different plugs. The BKR6EK has two electrodes on each side of a regular tip, and the BKR6EIX has one electrode on top of a needle-point iridium tip.

I will be returning my BKR6EIX plugs and asking the eBay vendor to correct his page at:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/260406909147...S:3160&vxp=mtr

As for why the NGK BKR6EIX Iridium plugs are not recommended for the Z3 1.9, NGK says their resistance is wrong. Their email to me:

"The BKR6EK has a 6.0mm firing position with two ground electrodes and a 1K ohm internal resistor. The BKR6EIX has a 3.5mm firing position, with a single ground electrode and a 5K ohm resistor. The firing position might create some engine response lag, but the real concern in the 1K ohm resistor. The ignition in the Z3 is setup for a 1K Ohm resistor and the 5K resistor may cause random misfires. Here is a picture to explain firing position visually. I would realistically not recommend the BKR6EIX for the Z3. Instead I would recommend a PFR6Q #6458. This is a fine wire Platinum center electrode, which will perform just as well as the IX and it has the correct 1k Ohm resistor internally.
Best Regards,
Andrew Hauenstein
Technical Training Specialist
NGK Spark Plugs USA Inc."

[IgotBMW]

The correct spark plugs for 1.9L is the NGK BKR 6EQUP

[Vintage42]

The correct spark plugs for 1.9L is the NGK BKR6EQUP

That is a four-electrode plug like the OEM Bosch F7LDC which is apparently NLA. I wonder how the NGK Technical Training Specialist missed that. I wonder why the NGK website does not list the BKR6EQUP for the 1.9.

NGK's website says the OEM replacement for the 1.9 is the dual-electrode BKR6EK, which the NGK Specialist repeated to me. He said it's because of the correct 1k Ohm resistance. Then he said if you want a single electrode for the 1.9:

"I would recommend a PFR6Q #6458. This is a fine wire Platinum center electrode, which will perform just as well as the IX and it has the correct 1k Ohm resistor."

I could continue my email conversation to ask him what he thought about the BKR6EQUP and why it should not be the ideal OEM replacement. I suspect it will have something to do with resistance. The four electrodes of the BKR6EQUP may look right, but that plug may not have the correct 1k Ohm resistance to match the 1.9's ignition system.

[maxmoto]

I'm kind of confused here
I just ordered BKR7EIX for my 1.9 DASC Z3

what would be the appropiate spark plug for my engine?

[LannVouivre]

plug in your car and use their search function.

[rf900rkw]

When you are supercharged, the factory recommendations for stock no longer apply. You are now your own engineer. 7 is the correct heat range for a mildly blown M44. I would have no problem with the iridiums. The higher resistance may actually help fight spark blow-out.

[Vintage42]

... I just ordered BKR7EIX for my 1.9 DASC Z3...

Is BKR7EIX recommended by NKG for the 1.9? In Post #9 NKG says NGK BKR6EIX Iridium plugs should not be used in the 1.9, but the BKR7EIX could be different and OK. I wonder what difference that one digit in the middle makes. I see from #19 that the number must be for heat range.

[rf900rkw]

NGK does not make a recommendation for the DASC 1.9.

[maxmoto]

Thanks Randy
I'll just put them on my car and see what happens

[LannVouivre]

I didn't recognize the DASC acronym, sorry. I realize now it's for Downing Atlanta S/C.

[Monolith]

NGK BKR7E is typically recommended for the DASC on the 1.9. This was a selection made as a result of Shawn Fogg's testing. You can read through his old website here: http://ackthud.com/shawnfogg/

I've been using the Bosch silver sparkplugs (F6DSR) with the DASC.

From another website post:

"The plugs are a heat range colder than stock (stock Bosch HR is 7), they have a silver core (best thermal & electrical conductor), no suppression, closer gap than stock at 0.7mm or .027" (stock is 1.016mm or .032"). It has a thing called "burn-off resistor" inside: speaking to the Bosch tech he said it helps holding the spark longer (we're talking milliseconds). I think this is because the gap is closer so you need a lower voltage to fire the spark."

I've ran both. I don't have any performance data or comments as to which is the better plug.