What Does a Spark Plug Do?
A spark plug is a component of an internal combustion engine that uses an electrical signal sent from the battery to an ignition coil to create a spark, igniting the air-fuel mixture in each cylinder.
Electric current flows through the spark plug, jumping a gap at the end of the spark plug and, if the current is large enough, creating an arc. This arc is the spark that ignites the combustible mixture.
Spark plugs can stop working for a variety of reasons. Anything that blocks the flow of electricity is: B. Oil, fuel, or carbon deposits can cause failure. Incorrect spacing can cause problems. Spark plugs wear down over time, so older spark plugs may have too large a gap.
Some people choose to “shorten” or bend their spark plug gap to get the correct gap. This is how experienced car owners extend the life of their spark plugs. The wrong spark plugs may be installed in the vehicle, resulting in a different heat value. This can also cause problems. Of course, damaged spark plugs may not work. In some cases, they may corrode or burn out due to their long life span or harsh conditions.
How long do spark plugs last? New spark plugs have a recommended lifespan. For most vehicles, this is between 30,000 and 80,000 miles. Even “long-life” spark plugs will wear out. They might last 100,000 miles, but by that time they will be pretty worn out – meaning they still work, but not very well.
Prevention is best! We recommend checking your vehicle’s spark plugs every 30,000 miles. If accessible in the vehicle, remove it from the spark plug socket and visually inspect it.
A good spark plug should look like new with just a little bit of dirt. The ceramic insulator may have a red coating that comes from a fuel additive found in some grades of gasoline. This does not affect the function of the spark plug.
A fueled spark plug will have a shiny side and tip electrode caused by a mixture that is too rich (too much fuel for the amount of air in the cylinder), the heat range of the plug is too low for the engine, or a problem with the plug not igniting. Carbon-contaminated spark plugs have black tips and/or side electrodes.
Pre-ignition damage indicates a burnt-out side electrode. Worn spark plugs have gaps that are too large or signs of general wear. If the spark plug is recessed too deeply into the cylinder, mechanical damage can occur and the spark plug may appear very battered.
