2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42
Spark plugs are an integral part of the engine of any gasoline car. It is this part that provides the necessary spark, which then ignites the mixture of air and fuel in the combustion chamber. Like all other engine parts, they can fail, and if even the slightest sign of bad spark plugs appears, they must be repaired.
If the part fails, the load on the ignition coil also increases, which can also break as a result. The cost of a candle is incomparable with the price of a coil. If you continue to drive on faulty candles, the driver will observe unstable operation of the power unit at idle. Often, when everything is in good condition, the operation of the motor at 1000 rpm. smooth and soft. If the spark plugs fail, the tachometer needle will jump, and the motor will vibrate and make unpleasant hard sounds.
Today, an ECU will help a car enthusiast to detect signs of a malfunction of spark plugs. A few decades ago, this was not yet the case, and those who independently serviced their cars had to diagnose these elements. In order to make a correct diagnosis, you need to know the typical problems with suppositories and be able to identify them visually.
What are the signs of bad spark plugs?
So, when the candles fail, the motor is disrupted. The engine refuses to perform the functions assigned to it. Here is a list of signs that require urgent specialist intervention.
If the engine starts with serious and visible difficulties, this is a signal for the owner to diagnose and replace the spark plug. Also, the nature of the operation of the motor will tell about the failed candle: if the unit troit, twitches, but there is no traction and power, then this is another sign. At the same time, often with faulty spark plugs, fuel consumption increases several times, and CO dominates in the composition of exhaust gases. If there is low power or the engine does not want to gain momentum when you press the accelerator pedal, then this also indicates the need for diagnostics.
If you pay attention to these main signs of a malfunctioning spark plugs in time, then the situation can be solved. If you do not pay attention to these signals, the result will be deplorable.
The consequences of faulty candles
In cylindersdetonation occurs, the result of which is a powerful shock wave. It can provoke the detonation of the charge that is still left in the cylinder. After that, the motor will completely lose its power. In the process of this impact, the crankshaft, pistons and connecting rods suffer due to serious overheating. Also, small parts burn out and the oil film on the cylinder is destroyed.
When to change spark plugs
Each car manufacturer recommends scheduled replacement during maintenance. But experienced drivers do not agree with these statements. Most car enthusiasts replace spark plugs by mileage - every 20-30 thousand km.
Spark plug manufacturers recommend changing classic spark plugs already at 15,000 km. Parts made of platinum can be changed less often - their life goes to 100 thousand km. Don't wait until the first signs of bad spark plugs appear. If low-quality fuel is regularly poured into the tank, then the candles will begin to accumulate carbon deposits, and the failure will be earlier than the deadlines set by the manufacturers.
Diagnosis: looking for a candle with a defect
Problems can be identified visually even with the naked eye. However, the breakdown is obvious when the car runs unevenly and stalls. It is worth remembering that malfunctions of this kind make it impossible to ignite the fuel-air spark plug in the cylinder.
As a result of the fact that the fuel does not burn, it can get into the catalyst. This will give off a strong smell of gasoline. Another obviousa sign of a malfunctioning candle is a significant increase in fuel consumption. This happens because the mixture does not burn completely due to misfiring.
For efficient combustion in gasoline engines, it is necessary that the temperature in the cylinders reaches 400-500 degrees or more. This is possible by compressing the fuel mixture, which further increases the temperature. Only in this way the mixture is easy, and most importantly - completely, ignites and burns.
However, high temperatures do not have the best effect on the resource of candles. Most often, layers are found on old parts. Deposits can also be seen on the electrodes, which affect the quality of the spark. It should be remembered that on a working candle, the electrode has a uniform color and uniform shape, and there are no deposits.
Testing spark plugs
Normal part has almost no burn-in on the electrode. With such a candle, the motor will run like clockwork.
It is important to know what kind of spark plug failures can be. This will help novice motorists.
Soot deposits
If a coating is visible on the grounding element, as well as on the electrode and the body of the candle, then such a candle is not working properly. The reason for this is the incorrect preparation of the mixture. For example, the composition may contain too much air or, conversely, not enough. Also, these deposits can appear as a result of dirty air filters, malfunctions of the injection system, failure of temperature sensors or lambdaprobe.
Candle oil
In this case, the grounding element, housing and electrode are covered with a uniform oil coating. These signs of bad spark plugs are caused by excess oil in the engine cylinders. This phenomenon occurs due to oil overflow into the engine. In addition, this symptom may indicate worn piston rings, pistons themselves, or valve guides. On vehicles with a turbocharger, spark plugs in oil may indicate problems with the compressor.
Lacquer deposits
If deposits of a brown-yellow or green hue are observed on the candle, then the most popular reason is the presence of additives in gasoline or oil. These are symptoms of running the engine on a too lean fuel mixture or on gas.
Slag deposits
They can be observed on the ground element, as well as not on the electrodes. These are large deposits of fuel and oil. The reason for this may be the presence of additives in the oil, which are becoming increasingly popular with lubricant manufacturers. This can also be the cause of improper operation of both the motor itself and the ignition system. Often you can observe such signs of a malfunction of the VAZ-2110 spark plugs.
Central electrode melted
You can see the melted center electrode and the melted edge on the ground element.
The reason for this may be overheating of the candle as a result of incorrect operation of the ignition system. These are signs of bad spark plugs.ignition VAZ-2114. On such vehicles, problems with the ignition module can often be observed.
The spark plug electrode wore out very quickly
Elevated wear can be observed on the electrodes and grounding elements, as a result of which the material of the critical elements of the candle is damaged. The reason for this is low-quality gasoline with a large number of additives. Also, oil with additives can lead to this. Rapid spark plug wear can be observed during detonation or overheating.
The candle melted
This is indicated by strong deposits on the grounding element and on the electrode. This happens due to the presence in the combustion chamber of various deposits that can ignite spontaneously. It could also be a sign of valve malfunction. Well, the most popular reason is bad fuel.
Worn connector
Often, spark plug wear occurs at the point where the spark is created. However, damage can also be on the other side - where the high-voltage wire is connected.
The cause of this malfunction is an old connector on the wire or overheating.
Check spark plugs
In turn, the candles are unscrewed with a special key and listen to the operation of the motor. If the engine has not broken the rhythm and continues to work stably with a normal sound, then a non-working candle is currently pulled out. You can also disconnect the wire from the spark plug and touch it to the cylinder block. If there is no spark, then the spark plug needs to be changed.
Also, the electronic control unit can report malfunctions. Take, for example, the French Peugeot Partner Tipi. Spark plugs, the signs of a malfunction of which can be recognized not only by visual inspection, can be checked by the owner using the computer. As you can see, this is not so difficult to do. It's really important to know this. Faulty spark plugs - improper engine operation, damage to critical components and costly engine repairs. And if you know how spark plugs work, and their signs of failure, big engine problems can be avoided.
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