Spark plug, also called Sparking Plug, device that fits into the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine and carries two electrodes separated by an air gap, across which current from a high-tension ignition system discharges, to form a spark for igniting the air-fuel mixture.
The electrodes must be able to resist high temperatures, and the insulator separating them must withstand high temperatures and also electric stress up to several thousand volts. Spark-gap length affects the energy of the spark, and the shape of the insulator affects the temperature of operation.
When too cool, operation leads to carbonization and short-circuiting of the gap; when too hot, there may be preignition.
Electrical energy is transmitted through the spark plug, jumping the gap in the plugs firing end if the voltage supplied to the plug is high enough. This electrical spark ignites the gasoline/air mixture in the combustion chamber. The plug is connected to the high voltage generated by an ignition coil or magneto.
A spark plug is an electrical device that fits into the cylinder head of some internal combustion engines and ignites compressed aerosol gasoline by means of an electric spark. Spark plugs have an insulated center electrode connected by a heavily insulated wire to an ignition coil or magneto circuit on the outside, forming, with a grounded terminal on the base of the plug, a spark gap inside the cylinder.
Internal combustion engines can divide into spark-ignition engines, which require spark plugs to begin combustion, and compression-ignition engines (diesel engines), which compress the air and then inject diesel fuel into the heated compressed air mixture where it auto ignites. Compression-ignition engines may use glow plugs to improve cold-start characteristics.
The spark plug has two primary functions: To ignite the air/fuel mixture. Electrical energy is transmitted through the spark plug, jumping the gap in the plugs firing end if the voltage supplied to the plug is high enough. This electrical spark ignites the gasoline/air mixture in the combustion chamber. To remove heat from the combustion chamber.
Spark plugs cannot create heat, they can only remove heat. The temperature of the end of the plug\’s firing end must be kept low enough to prevent pre-ignition, but high enough to prevent fouling.
The spark plug works as a heat exchanger by pulling unwanted thermal energy from the combustion chamber and transferring heat to the engine’s cooling system. The heat range of a spark plug is defined as its ability to dissipate heat from the tip.
Insulates the terminal, center shaft and center electrode from the housing, preventing escape of high voltage from the electrodes.
Since the bottom of the insulator projects into the combustion chamber, high purity alumina with superior heat-proof characteristics, mechanical strength, excellent insulation and thermal conductivity at high temperature, etc. is used.
The terminal is connected to a high-tension cord through which a high-voltage current from the ignition system flows. A terminal nut is installed so this type can support almost any high-tension cord in the world. For vehicles not requiring a terminal nut, the terminal can be removed.
Makes the insulator and the housing fit tightly to each other and maintains the airtightness.
Center shaft connecting the terminal and the center electrode. This shaft is made of steel and has the role of allowing high-voltage current to flow from the terminal to the center electrode without loss.
The housing forms an outer shell that surrounds the insulator supports the insulator and installs the spark plug in the engine. At the bottom, the ground electrode is located, so current can flow through the engine itself to the center electrode over the gap.
Mounted between the center shaft and insulator to maintain airtightness. Denso uses the glass seal method. A special mixture of glass powder and copper powder is charged in the installation section for the insulator and center shaft and center electrode and melted at high temperature. This bonds the center shaft and the center electrode and fuses the insulator and the metal.
The sealing for both is good and the thermal ratio of expansion is appropriate, so even under harsh conditions gaps do not occur and good airtightness can be secured.
Makes the housing and the engine fit tightly to each other and maintains the airtightness of the combustion chamber. There is a procedure for tightening and the appropriate tightening margin must be secured.
Special nickel alloy is used for the center electrode to reduce electrode wear. Copper is sealed into the center section to improve thermal conductivity.
A new iridium alloy tip with a diameter of 0.4 mm is laser welded to the tip of the center electrode to make the center electrode. This lowers the spark voltage, secures reliable spark, reduces the quenching effect, and improves ignition performance.
Iridium, like platinum, is a precious metal and has extraordinarily superior properties for a spark plug electrode, for example high-temperature withstand, high strength, and low resistance. In order to further improve oxidation resistance at high temperatures, Denso developed a unique new iridium alloy containing rhodium.
Nickel chrome material used for the ground electrode and various measures is taken with the shape to improve ignition performance.
One of these measures is the U-groove.
There are many other features as well and large ignition energy can be obtained. Denso obtained patents for spark plug U-grooves from 1975 to 1992.
The ground electrode has a shape in which the electrode tip is cut to a finely tapered shape. This reduces the quenching effect, so it improves ignition performance.
Your engine is a pretty remarkable machine, designed to turn an energy source (gasoline) into actual movement. But how does it do this? The answer is the principle known as internal combustion. In order to turn the fuel in your car from a source of potential energy into a source of kinetic energy, your engine needs to find a way to release it, and it does so through the combustion process.
The engine cycle is what makes this process happen. In your engine cycle, your valves fill your cylinder with a mixture of air and fuel, which are highly-explosive when combined. As the piston in your engine moves upward, it compresses this mixture until it’s in an extremely small space, creating even more potential energy.
At the peak of this compression, your engine ignites this mixture with a small spark, creating an explosion that forces the piston back downward, turning the crankshaft in your engine and creating the power which makes your car move forward.
Your spark plugs are what supply the spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture, creating the explosion which makes your engine produce power. These small but simple plugs create an arc of electricity across two leads that are not touching, but close enough together that electricity can jump the gap between them. Your spark plugs, along with the electrical and timing equipment which powers them, are part of what’s known as your ignition system.
Generally, your spark plugs made from extremely durable material, and capable of withstanding millions and millions of explosions before wearing out or needing to replace. But it’s true that over time, the explosions and corrosion lead to smaller or weaker sparks, which leads to reduced efficiency in your engine, and could lead to other issues including misfiring, or failure to fire.
If your Spark Plugs are failing your engine will sound rough and jittery when running at idle. This can cause vibrations to resonate through the vehicle which could cause further costly damage.
Car won’t start and you’re late for work… Flat battery? Low fuel? One often overlooked cause is Spark Plug failure. Without that crucial spark for ignition, you’ll be stuck where you are.
When your engine misfires it momentarily cuts out and feels jerky because the cylinders are not firing correctly. This can lead to an uncomfortable ride and higher emissions.
Again, this can lead to an uncomfortable – and potentially dangerous – ride. The engine is working inefficiently, sucking in more air than is usually needed in the combustion process, causing continual stop-start motions.
Are you filling up more than you used to? Failing Spark Plugs can really take a bite out of your fuel efficiency. A simple change of Spark Plugs could be the solution.
If your vehicle feels unresponsive and the accelerator has lost its sensitivity you might consider a service with a change of Spark Plugs to get things up to speed again.
The cost depends entirely on the make of your vehicle. Some have more cylinders than others do. One way to count the number of spark plugs in your car is to count the cylinders. However, some cars have a dual spark systems. An example is a V4 engine that has four cylinders. Each cylinder has two spark plugs.
Regardless of the number of cylinders, your car has, replacing your spark plugs is usually cheap. One spark plug piece costs less than 10 dollars. Replacing all plugs plus labor for the mechanic should be between $40 -$150. It is not a complicated process; hence, it should take the mechanic an hour or less.
Spark plugs will serve you for many years and miles without the need to change them. However, motor manufacturers recommend you change them after every 30,000 miles.
How long a spark plug lasts depends on the type of plug. Copper spark plugs have a short life compared to platinum or iridium.
Always replace spark plugs with the manufacturer’s original choice. If you cannot find the same spark plug, then replace it with high-quality spark plugs. Copper plugs are substandard and will wear off fast.
Changing spark plugs takes about an hour (for a four-cylinder engine) and will save you at least a hundred bucks in labor if you do it yourself. In most cases, it’s a simple job that will help to maintain peak performance and the highest possible gas mileage.
Tools Required
Tip: If your new spark plugs are not pre-gapped, refer to the included instructions to learn how to set the gap on your new spark plugs.
Here you should consider preventative maintenance. Monitor your car closely to note changes. Keep looking out for the symptoms. It does not end at this point. Run a further diagnosis using these simple methods.
Find a place with sufficient lighting and open under the hood of your car. Locate the spark plug wires and do a visual inspection. Look for damages to the cables. Scorch marks and cuts. Check for signs of corrosion.
Look out for electrical sounds. Listen to the sound from your engine. Noises may be from a high voltage leak.
Spray the areas where boots attach to spark plugs. If arcing occurs or the presence of mist switch off the engine. Remove the spark plug from the boot and look inside the boot for traces of carbon tracking. The presence of carbon tracking means that you will need to replace the spark plug.
A spark miss or spark misfire can make your engine lose its power and traces of black smoke from your exhaust. Run this checklist to know if you have a plug misfire.
Cross-cutting drains power from your car. If your vehicle has a manual, use it to determine which wire leads to which port.
Disconnect the spark plug from the spark plug lead. Clean the spark plug thoroughly to avoid debris getting into the combustion chamber. Do not force or remove the spark plug with your hands. Use the spark plug socket wrench.
Use a spray and wire brush to remove any deposits. Never use an abrasive to clean your spark plugs.
Your spark plugs are what supply the spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture, creating the explosion which makes your engine produce power. These small but simple plugs create an arc of electricity across two leads which are not touching, but close enough together that electricity can jump the gap between them.
Your engine needs a strong spark to get all cylinders firing on time. When one or more plugs go bad, you do not get the same starting power. That can lead to one or more cylinders not firing correctly, which can make it harder for your engine to start.
The Average Cost to Replace Spark Plugs Is $66-$250, Depending on if You Go to the Mechanic or DIY. This price range is based on national averages for all vehicles and does not factor in taxes, fees, or your particular make and model.
A standard copper spark plug has an average life span of 10,000-20,000 miles. Silver plugs, used for older vehicles, can last up to 20,000 miles. Expensive iridium spark plugs or platinum spark plugs can last 60,000 miles. Extended life spark plugs or long-life spark plugs can last 100,000 miles.
Spark plugs are somewhat durable components and don’t need to be replaced too often, that said, the general recommendation is about every 30,000 to 90,000 miles. Each vehicle may differ on when it should be replaced.
Installing high-performance spark plugs can smooth out a rough idle and get your motor purring immediately. Spark plugs can give your engine more power, a quicker throttle response, and a more stable, longer-lived engine.
In the event of a failing spark plug, the engine will misfire, which will affect its performance. When a spark plug fails to ignite the fuel-air mixture, the engine will stop running.
What signs are there that your spark plugs are failing:
How to Tell if You Have a Bad Spark Plug:
Changing spark plugs takes about an hour (for a four-cylinder engine) and will save you at least a hundred bucks in labor if you do it yourself. In most cases, it’s a simple job that will help to maintain peak performance and the highest possible gas mileage.
Malfunctioning spark plugs cause engine problems including, misfires, hard starts, reduced gas mileage, rough idling, and lack of acceleration. Driving with a faulty spark plug will be difficult because the engine might fail to function.
Iridium spark plugs cost more than other varieties because of the scarcity of iridium itself.
Causes of a carbon-fouled spark plug include a dirty air filter, excessive driving at low speeds, too rich of a fuel/air mixture, dirty fuel injectors, or idling your vehicle for too long.
Most dealership service departments advertise their ability to “service all makes and models.” However, many places get service at competitive prices, ranging from $40 to $150 for a minimal tune-up that replaces spark plugs and spark plug wires.
But unlike some of our devices, ageing spark plugs might not be very evident for a layman. As spark plugs go through thousands and thousands of miles along with your vehicle, their internal components tend to wear out and even though they can withstand extreme temperatures, their durability goes down with time.
So, what does an engine misfire sound like? The most common descriptions of an engine misfire are a sound like a popping, sneezing, banging, chuffing, or a backfire, usually when the engine is anywhere between 1,500 – 2,500 rpm.
In short, yes, in some situations spark plugs can increase horsepower.
In general, a light tan/gray color tells you that the spark plug is operating at optimum temperature and that the engine is in good condition.
To safely clean a spark plug, you should use a wire brush or spray-on plug cleaner specifically designed for this ignition part. You can also use a sturdy knife to scrape off tough deposits. Note: NEVER clean a spark plug with a shot blaster or abrasives.
Spark plugs will depreciate over time, so various engine issues will arise if they are not replaced. When the spark plugs do not generate the adequate spark, the combustion of the air/fuel mixture becomes incomplete, leading to loss of engine power, and in the worst-case scenario, the engine will not run.
Test the spark plug ignition by disconnecting the spark plug wire from the spark plug. Hold the end of the spark plug wire close to a metal surface. If the spark plug is good, you will see a spark or you’ll hear a crackling noise. This means that voltage is getting through the wire to the spark plug.
For some V6 engines (6-cylinder), the intake manifold has to be taken out to access the bad spark plug, taking the labor costs as high as $260-$320 for the car. In total, a spark plug replacement can cost you anywhere from $100-$250 on the low end, and $250-$500 on the high end (usually for V6 engines).
Spark plugs can stop working for a number of different reasons. Anything that interrupts the flow of electricity, such as a buildup of oil, fuel, or carbon, can cause a malfunction. Having an incorrect gap will likely cause problems. Spark plugs wear over time so an old plug may have an excessive gap.
