Is a higher number on a spark plug hotter or colder?
The heat range of a spark plug is the range in which the plug works well thermally. The heat rating of each NGK spark plug is indicated by a number; lower numbers indicate a hotter type, higher numbers indicate a colder type.
Where does the heat from a spark plug go?
Heat from the combustion chamber escapes through the exhaust gases, the side walls of the cylinder and the spark plug itself. The heat range of a spark plug has only a minute effect on combustion chamber and overall engine temperature. A cold plug will not materially cool down an engine’s running temperature.
What’s the difference between a hot and Cold Spark Plug?
A spark plug is said to be “hot” if it is a better heat insulator, keeping more heat in the tip of the spark plug. A spark plug is said to be “cold” if it can conduct more heat out of the spark plug tip and lower the tip’s temperature.
What is the heat range of a brisk spark plug?
The range of thermal values for BRISK spark plugs extend from the warmest to the coldest, namely 19, 18, 17, 15, 14, 12, 10 and 08. “Hot” spark plugs remove heat from the combustion area relatively slowly.
What should the tip temperature of a spark plug be?
Whether the spark plugs are fitted in a lawnmower, boat, or a race car, the spark plug tip temperature must remain between 500C-850°C. If the tip temperature is lower than 500°C, the insulator area surrounding the center electrode will not be hot enough to burn off carbon and combustion chamber deposits.
Which is hotter a hotter or colder spark plug?
For example, RV15YC6 has a heat range of 15. (The 6 at the end of this part indicates the gap setting.) Champion plugs are hotter the higher the number, colder the lower the number. Starting with part # RCJ7Y (heat range 7), a colder plug would be # RCJ6Y (heat range 6), a hotter plug would be # RCJ8Y (heat range 8).
Are there different heat ranges for spark plugs?
The heat range numbering system used by spark plug manufacturers is not universal. For example, a 10 heat range in Champion is not the same as a 10 heat range in NGK nor the same in Autolite. Some manufacturers numbering systems are opposite the other – for Champion, Autolite and Bosch, the higher the number, the hotter the plug.
What happens if the spark plug is too hot?
If the heat range is too cold, the spark plug will be unable to properly self-clean by burning off carbon deposits. If it the heat range is too hot, your engine could experience detonation, pre-ignition, or power loss. Most spark plug manufacturers recommend that the tip temperature remain between 500-850 degrees Celsius.
How is the temperature of the spark plug determined?
While the engine is running, the spark plug is being heated to a certain temperature. The highest temperature can be detected at the insulator tip end. Thermal balance between the input and output of heat from the spark plug is determined by the value known as the spark plug heat range.