Ignition system - the principle of operation, maintenance, breakdowns, repairs. Guide
Symptoms of failure of any of the components of the ignition system are most often a drop in engine power, jerks while driving or when starting off.
The ignition system is part of the gasoline engines, i.e. spark ignition engines. It creates an electrical spark between the electrodes of the spark plugs, igniting the air-fuel mixture in the cylinders. Electricity to start the car is taken from the battery.
In modern cars, the ignition system includes: spark plugs, coils and a computer that controls the operation of the system. Older models used ignition cables and an ignition device that split the ignition into individual cylinders.
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Typical problems with a faulty ignition system in positive ignition vehicles are starting problems, jerking, occasional rev fluctuations, and engine roughness.
Prevention of failure of the ignition system is usually limited to the use of good quality fuel, as well as the regular replacement of certain elements: spark plugs and - in the past - ignition cables, domes, etc. distributor pin of the ignition apparatus.
Spark plug
A typical four-cylinder gasoline engine usually has four spark plugs, one for each cylinder. The spark plug produces the spark needed to ignite the air/fuel mixture.
It is important to use good quality fuel for the spark plugs to work properly. The service life of these elements is usually from 60 to 120 thousand. km of run. There are three types of spark plugs on the market: regular and long-lasting, iridium and platinum.
Spark plugs should be replaced in accordance with the recommendations of the car manufacturer if the car is running on gas - even twice as often. If we have an old machine and want to do it ourselves, we must remember to tighten it properly. Otherwise, we may damage the cylinder head.
If even one of the plugs burns out, the engine will still start, but you will feel jerks and uneven engine operation. It is easy to independently diagnose whether the problem is in the spent candle. A symptom will be a strong trembling of a running engine, noticeable after opening the hood. It is best to replace the entire set of spark plugs at once, because you can expect that after one burns out, the same will soon happen to the rest.
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Candles must meet a number of requirements recommended by the manufacturer of a particular engine. Therefore, there are no universal spark plugs suitable for every motorcycle. Prices start from PLN 15 apiece (regular candles) and go up to PLN 120. Replacing a set of candles costs up to PLN 50.
Ignition coils
Ignition coils are located on each spark plug. They increase the voltage and transmit an electrical impulse to the candles.
“They get damaged from time to time,” says Rafał Kulikowski, maintenance consultant for Toyota Auto Park in Białystok.
Then the fuel injected into the cylinders does not have the opportunity to burn out, ignition can even occur in the exhaust manifold. We will find out after firing the exhaust.
ignition wires
Ignition cables, also known as high voltage cables, are responsible for supplying the electrical charge to the spark plugs. They are no longer used in modern engines and have been replaced by ignition coils and the control unit. However, if we have them in our car, we must make sure that they are of good quality, because it depends on this whether the spark obtained after that is strong enough. First of all, sound insulation is important. Usually, as a result of current breakdowns, too little load is applied to the candles. Symptoms will be similar to a burnt spark plug: problems starting the engine and its uneven operation. The cables cost several tens of PLN, it costs to change them every 80 XNUMX. km. In vehicles running on liquefied gas, the replacement period should even be half as long.
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Fuel pump
An important element influencing the correct operation of the ignition system is the fuel pump, usually located in the fuel tank. It supplies fuel to this system - sucks in gasoline and pumps it into the distribution bar. We do not replace this element cyclically, but only when it breaks. Failures - in this case - the driver has a greater impact than with other components. Especially if the car runs on autogas.
– LPG drivers often drive with the minimum amount of gas in the tank needed to start the engine. This is a mistake, explains Krzysztof Stefanowicz, mechanic at Nissan Wasilewski and Son in Bialystok. - In my opinion, the tank should always be at least half full. Avoid the reserve indicator flashing frequently.
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Driving a vehicle with a minimal amount of gasoline in the tank can cause the pump to overheat as the fuel lubricates and cools it. If the fuel pump fails, we won't start the car again. Most often, then it is enough to replace the pump cartridge. We will pay about 100-200 zł for this. The whole pump with housing costs about PLN 400. In addition, there are PLN 190-250 for an exchange. Regeneration of this element is often more expensive than buying a new pump.
Remember filters
In order for the ignition system to work flawlessly, attention should also be paid to replacing the air and fuel filters. The first should be replaced every year or every 15-20 thousand. km, with a replacement cost of up to PLN 100 in workshops. A fuel filter costs PLN 50-120, and a replacement is about PLN 30, and can last from PLN 15-50. up to XNUMX XNUMX km, but…
– In diesel vehicles, I recommend changing the fuel filter every year at the inspection. It pollutes the environment much faster than in petrol cars, advises Piotr Ovcharchuk, maintenance consultant for the Białystok branch of Wasilewski i Syn. – A clogged air or fuel filter will result in a noticeable reduction in performance.
Ignition in diesel engines
In vehicles with diesel engines, i.e. with compression ignition, we are talking about an injection power system. The durability of its components is also affected by the quality of the fuel.
Glow plugs are used instead of spark plugs. There are as many as there are cylinders in an engine. They work differently than spark plugs.
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“A glow plug is a type of heater that, when the key is turned in the ignition, is heated by electricity from the battery and thus preheats the combustion chamber in the engine,” explains Wojciech Parczak, Nissan Authorized Service Manager. - Usually it takes from several to several tens of seconds. Candle no longer works while moving.
After the glow plugs are heated, the injectors inject oil into the combustion chamber, after which ignition occurs.
We do not change glow plugs periodically, only when they are worn out. Usually they can withstand even several hundred thousand kilometers. When one burns out, the driver may not even feel it. Problems appear only at low winter temperatures. Then there will be problems with starting the car.
A spark plug problem may be indicated by a non-lit indicator on the dashboard - usually a yellow or orange spiral, which should go out shortly after turning the key. Sometimes the check engine light will also come on. Then you should go to a service center and use a diagnostic computer to determine which spark plug is not working. The alarm signal should be a prolonged engine start or the impossibility of starting it at all. The engine may also run intermittently for a while. This is due to the fact that one or two cylinders that were not initially warmed up by candles do not work. Then they go to work and the symptom disappears.
We will not check the operation of the glow plugs ourselves. This can be done by a mechanic, which is especially recommended before winter. Having removed and connected to the tester, check whether they warm up well. Thanks to the long service life of the glow plugs, there is no need to replace the entire set. One costs PLN 80-150. Together with the exchange, we will pay a maximum of PLN 200.
Nozzles
Diesel engines have as many injectors as there are glow plugs. We do not service them either, their durability is affected by the quality of the fuel. At the time of failure, they are replaced with new ones or regenerated. Replacement costs about 100 PLN. In addition, the nozzle is programmed to the engine controller - prices vary depending on the workshop - from 100 to 200 zł.
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In the popular mid-range model, one new nozzle costs between PLN 3000 and PLN XNUMX. The replacement part must be designed for a specific engine.
Injector regeneration costs between PLN 300 and PLN 700, depending on the type.
A damaged injector will deliver too little or too much fuel to the engine's combustion chamber. Then we will feel a lack of power and problems with starting the car, and even an increase in the amount of oil in the engine. The check engine light may also come on. If the injector delivers too much fuel, exhaust smoke or uneven engine operation may occur.
