This tiny component is key to engine performance. Without the spark plug, there's simply no combustion between air and fuel. Keep scrolling down this post by Tiger Synthetics to learn more about the importance of spark plugs.
As tiny as they look, spark plugs play an essential role in the engine and they can indicate failures in other parts of your car. The serviceable life of a spark plug is around 24,000 miles and usually, a car tends to have four spark plugs. Although they can have up to eight of these pieces depending on the number of cylinders; also, they are always covered by cables that must be detached to remove them. So, if you need to check your car’s spark plugs, always make sure the engine is cold.
The Spark Plugs are the Root of Most Ignition Problems
A slow ignition is one of the first signs that the spark plugs are dirty or in bad condition. But don't panic, sometimes it’s enough to clean the spark plugs and you're good to go. You can use a brush and degreaser but always keep in mind you must put them back in place.
Other failures linked with a poor performance of the spark plugs are: lack of acceleration, delays in the ignition while driving, and larger fuel consumption. However, not everything is due to the spark plugs, it can also be the alternator or the fuel pump causing trouble. Perform occasional checkups for breakdowns in the car’s electrical system.
Their temperature range defines the capacity of the spark plug to remove the heat generated in the combustion chamber so it can be taken to the cooling system. The temperature of the spark plug tip must be low enough to prevent the electrode’s ignition and/or destruction, but high enough to burn combustion deposits and not accumulate soot on the spark plug tip.
Keep in mind that each motor is different, therefore the temperature range varies depending on brands and models. Older car engines run on hot or low-performance spark plugs since they have cold engines and require low heat dissipation spark plugs to prevent deposits from forming on the ceramic; an insulating material.
Modern Engines, Contrary to What Is Described, Have Hot Engines That Require Cold Plugs That Dissipate the Generated Heat
For this reason, it’s important that when changing the spark plugs in your car, you must install the spark plugs with the thermal range specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Using different spark plugs will reduce engine efficiency and the spark plug’s life usage.
Try to Look Out for Them to Keep Them in Good Condition
Dirty spark plugs mean crankcase or piston failure. These tips will give you an outlook on their deterioration:
Spark plug with white ash:
This can be due to an inaccurate air/gasoline mixture. It’s necessary to check the gasoline pump and/or the carburetor and see what’s going on.
Fully burned spark plug:
This dilemma is usually obviated by adjusting or cleaning the spark plugs. If the spark plug hasn’t reached its useful life, it could be a glitch in the turbocharger or the fuel injection system.
Though in both scenarios, the spark plugs’ operation in the engine may perform poorly and prolonged damage can affect the pistons and other sensitive parts.
Spark Plugs Serve Two Main Purposes, Igniting the Mixture and Dissipating Heat from the Combustion Chamber.
The operation of the spark plug is essential for complete combustion to take place, thus avoiding polluting emissions into the atmosphere and saving fuel.
The spark plug is the last step in the ignition circuit and it transmits electrical energy that transforms fuel into useful or working energy. Also, it takes charge from the coil and produces a spark or arc that ignites the mixture of fuel and compressed air within each cylinder.
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