Signs that the spark plugs need to be replaced
Content
If the driver does not remember when the new elements of the ignition system were installed, then the degree of their suitability can be determined by their appearance. An alternative option, if there is no desire to climb under the hood, is to take a closer look at the operation of the engine.
Understanding that you need to replace the spark plugs is easy. It is enough to pay attention to the appearance of the parts and the operation of the engine. If repairs are not made in a timely manner, this can lead to damage to the power plant and catalyst.
How do you know when spark plugs need to be replaced?
Any car system wears out over time, as it has its own resource reserve. Spark plugs should be checked at every scheduled inspection. It is necessary to change consumables in accordance with the recommendation of the technical passport of a particular model, without waiting for failures in the operation of the motor.
Their service life depends on the type of metal on the tip and the number of "petals":
- Products made of an alloy of nickel and chromium can properly serve up to 15-30 thousand kilometers. Experts advise changing these elements every MOT along with oil.
- The resource reserve of silver electrodes is enough for 50-60 thousand km.
Manufacturers of expensive parts with a platinum and iridium tip give a guarantee of up to 100 km. It is important to consider the condition of the power unit. In older engines with a low compression ratio, the candles will not last even half of this period, since they will be filled with oil. In addition, when using low-quality fuel, the wear rate of the ignition system elements increases by up to 30%.
Signs that the spark plugs need to be replaced
It is easy to understand that you need to replace the spark plugs by indirect signs:
- when starting, the starter turns, but the engine does not start for a long time;
- slow response of the motor to pressing the gas pedal;
- speed dynamics deteriorated;
- tachometer "jumps" at idle;
- the car "pulls" while driving;
- metal pops from the engine compartment at the start;
- acrid black smoke is emitted from the chimney;
- droplets of flammable liquid fly out with the exhaust;
- the check engine indicator flashes;
- increased consumption of gasoline.
Such defects also occur for other reasons. But, if several of these symptoms are observed, then the candles should be checked. If they are damaged, there is a problem with sparking. Fuel does not burn completely and not in all chambers. There are detonations. Due to the shock wave, the piston, connecting rod, crankshaft, cylinder head gasket are subjected to strong mechanical and thermal loads. The walls of the cylinders are gradually destroyed.
Signs of wear on spark plugs
If the driver does not remember when the new elements of the ignition system were installed, then the degree of their suitability can be determined by their appearance. An alternative option, if there is no desire to climb under the hood, is to take a closer look at the operation of the engine.
Electrode gap
With each spark that occurs when the machine is started, a piece of metal evaporates from the tip of the candles. Over time, this leads to an increase in the gap. As a result, it is more difficult for the coil to form a spark. There are breaks in discharges, misfires of the combustible mixture and detonation in the exhaust system.
Signs of wear on spark plugs
- the fuel-air mixture does not burn out in all chambers;
- the engine is unstable (“troit”, “stalls”);
- the risk of closing the coil at high engine speeds.
To prevent this, the gap of the candle must be measured and compared with the manufacturer's regulated value. In the product marking, these are the last digits (usually in the range of 0,8-1,1 mm). If the current value differs from the allowable value, then it's time to change the consumable
Nagar
When the fuel ignites, particles of combustion products settle on the candles. During normal operation, the electrodes themselves are cleaned of these deposits. But sometimes there is a plaque that speaks of the following problems:
- Black soot means misfires are occurring. The fuel in the chamber does not burn completely or there is a lack of air in the cylinders.
- White color indicates overheating of the electrode (from the combustion of lean fuel).
- A coating with a red tint is a sign of the use of low-quality gasoline. Another reason is that consumables with the wrong glow number are installed.
Brown thin layer of soot - no need to worry, everything is fine. If yellow traces of oil are found on the candle, then the piston rings or rubber valve seals are damaged. You need to contact the service center.
"Clay" insulator
The degree of wear of the part is determined by its appearance. Most often, the following 2 defects occur:
- brown patina in the area of hull cracks;
- "coffee skirt" due to accumulated plaque at the break points of the insulator.
If such effects are found only on 1 consumable, and others without any traces, you still need to change the entire set of candles.
Startup interruptions
This malfunction is typical for long parking. The car starts with only 2-3 turns of the key, while the starter rotates for a long time. The reason is the gaps in the appearance of a discharge between the electrodes, the fuel does not burn completely.
Decrease in power
The driver may notice that the car accelerates worse, and the engine does not gain maximum speed. The problem arises due to the fact that the fuel does not ignite completely.
uneven work
If the elements of the ignition system are worn out, then the following failures occur during the movement of the car:
- the engine "troit" and periodically loses momentum;
- one or more cylinders stop;
- the tachometer needle "floats" without pressing the gas pedal.
These symptoms also occur when using low-quality fuel.
If the question arises: how to understand that it is time to change the spark plugs, then you should pay attention to the condition of the part and the operation of the motor. In the absence of deviations from the norm, it is necessary to install new consumables according to the regulated deadlines.
