The spark plugs of the car are an essential part for the operation of the vehicle. Gasoline cars have these elongated parts located inside the cylinders that generate a spark that starts combustion when fuel and air are mixed by means of an explosion. These can present problems, so we tell you how you can know if a spark plug is in bad condition and when to change it.
A bad spark plug can cause serious damage to the engine, since the combustion process is not being carried out in the right way. It is possible to know what is happening and check the condition of the spark plugs in your car to be able to solve the problem as soon as possible. We give you some clues to check if a spark plug is in bad condition.
- When you drive the car jerks.
- The idle speed is unstable.
- It is difficult to start.
- It loses power.
- Fuel consumption increases.
Where does the problem come from?
If your car shows signs that the spark plugs are not working properly, you can check where the problem comes from by observing these parts. To do so, you can remove them from the cylinder and check if they present any of the following anomalies.
Black spark plug
When the spark plug is black, it means that there is poor combustion inside the engine. This causes soot on the tip of the spark plug, the place where the spark is generated, which causes the process to be inadequate. This may be due to a problem in the richness of the mixture, i.e. an excess of fuel.
Spark plug with oil
Oil leaks in the engine can also be checked at the spark plugs. If the spark plug has an excess of oil at the tip, it will cause the spark not to be produced properly and, therefore, combustion to fail. In addition, when the problem is a loss of lubricant, you will see blue smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe.
Spark plug with water or coolant
In the event of a coolant leak, the coolant can be easily installed in the spark plug by leaking through the cylinder segments. If this is the case, this fluid will create great difficulties for the spark to be produced at the spark plug.
Worn spark plug
Spark plugs are made of different materials, including iron and glass, very resistant materials, or electrodes, which are much more delicate than the former. The latter are subject to great wear, since they are in direct contact with the combustion chamber. The high temperatures to which it is subjected mean that it can present wear that implies the replacement of the spark plug.
When to change the spark plugs?
Spark plugs are elements that are subjected to high temperatures, so they require proper maintenance. The manufacturers, establish estimated durations for the change of the same ones when the optimal conditions of operation are given and that has to do with the materials with which the electrodes are made. In the market you will find two types of electrodes:
- Copper electrodes: they used to be installed in old cars and are less resistant to the passage of time. Their estimated average life is about 40,000 kilometers, so once this figure is exceeded, it is necessary to replace them with new ones.
- Platinum or iridium electrodes: modern cars already have these spark plugs because they last longer. They should be replaced after 100,000 kilometers.
Which spark plugs should you install?
The type of spark plugs that you install in your car must always be the same as the one that the car has from the factory. This is due to the fact that each type of spark plug has its own characteristics and a specific thermal grade that guarantees its proper operation.
Changing the spark plugs at the right time is essential to avoid serious damage to the engine. These parts are affordable since their price ranges from 3 to 20 euros, which will allow you to save on major and much more expensive breakdowns.