What is the importance of spark plug maintenance?
Spark plugs play a major role in starting your vehicle. Without them your vehicle wouldn’t start, so maintaining them is very important. A standard copper spark plug can last anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 miles. A spark plug that is made with more expensive material, like platinum, can last much longer.
Why do spark plugs need to be clean and sharp?
An error occurred while retrieving sharing information. Please try again later. The electrodes on a spark plug must be clean and sharp to produce the powerful spark required for ignition. The more worn or dirty spark plugs are, the greater the tug on the rewind and more effort is required to produce an adequate spark.
Why do my spark plugs keep getting dirty?
Why do spark plugs get dirty? Spark plugs can get fouled or dirty for a number of reasons. An air-to-gas ratio that is too rich can cause the problem. This is often the result of an incorrect carburetor setting.
How do you clean a dirty spark plug?
How to clean a dirty spark plug. Clean the spark plug Use the sandpaper to clean the dark coating off the plug by rubbing it against the centre electrode (the bump that sticks up from the centre), and the side electrode (little arm above the bump). Make sure you clean all parts as much as possible to ensure the plug works properly.
What to do if your spark plug is no longer working?
Check out the steps below which outline how to determine why your spark plug is no longer working correctly. Step 1- Disconnect the spark plug lead. Clean the area around the spark plug to avoid getting debris in the combustion chamber when you remove the plug.
Do you need to clean your spark plugs?
You can clean a fouled spark plug and reuse it, but it might not function as well after that. If your spark plug is too worn or dirty to clean easily, you’ll need to replace it.
Why does my spark plug need to be replaced?
Causes can include the engine overheating, incorrect spark plug heat range, a loose spark plug, incorrect ignition timing or too lean of an air/fuel mixture. The spark plug should be replaced. Worn and eroded electrodes are symptoms of a spark plug that is past its prime. The plug has been in the engine too long and needs to be replaced.
Why do I need to read my spark plugs?
When reading spark plugs, you will likely find one of the following conditions: Examining your engine’s spark plugs can give you an idea of how the engine is running. You can do this as part of the routine maintenance of your car, ATV, lawnmower or boat, or if you suspect something is wrong with the engine.
Why do my spark plugs get wet when I start the engine?
A wet spark plug can be the result of the engine flooding. Flooding is what happens when you try to start the engine several times without it firing up. You can clean the spark plugs or you can just wait for them to dry out. Blisters on the insulator tip, melted electrodes, or white deposits are signs of a burned spark plug that is running too hot.