How often and when to change spark plugs

The engine is the heart of your car. Various factors can affect its trouble-free operation, including breakdowns of parts or their untimely replacement. One of the key in this regard are spark plugs. It is important to change them in time, when exactly, we will tell. If this is not done, the consequences can be very disastrous. For starters, this is a deterioration in the operation of the engine, and then a car stop altogether with subsequent overhaul.

Bit of theory

Before answering the question of how often you need to change the spark plugs, it’s worth at least a little understanding why this is necessary. Here, to some extent, the rule "How many people, so many opinions" is being implemented. Some auto mechanics say one thing, others say another. The most important factor affecting the frequency of replacement of this engine component and their wear resistance will initially be their quality. Some will be enough only for 10 thousand kilometers, others - 10 times more.

Types of spark plugs:

• ordinary;
• platinum;
• iridium.

By the name of each, you can understand what material the electrode is made of. In ordinary - it is copper, in platinum and iridium, of course, from platinum and iridium. There are ordinary candles that are coated with an iridium alloy - this helps to extend their life. Platinum candles have these advantages: since this metal is resistant to corrosion, it can last much longer, since it hardly burns out. The iridium have similar capabilities. The best are those candles whose electrodes are made from an alloy of iridium and platinum.

Since the candles are located inside the motor, it is impossible to see their wear without removing, and therefore disconnecting from the system. But any automaker understands this, and therefore, in the instructions for vehicles, you can find out some nuances about controlling wear.

Spark Plug Life

The lifetime will depend on many factors, manufacturers determine it depending on the material of manufacture of the electrode. For ordinary ones, this is about 50 thousand kilometers, platinum and iridium - about 90 thousand (but this is with stable driving, good fuel and optimal climatic conditions).

How often to change spark plugs

According to the rules, vehicle maintenance must be carried out after at least 10-15 thousand kilometers. It is in this framework that the auto repairman recommends changing the candles. If there are doubts about how worn out the candles are, you can simply unscrew them after 15 thousand mileage and check their condition. The following factors will affect the wear of candles:

• Driving style
• Brand and type of candles themselves
• General condition of the engine

And also the quality and brand of fuel used (the worse gasoline, the more often you will have to change the candles). Therefore, we do not recommend refueling at suspicious gas stations. If you decide to act differently, then it is likely that you will get dubious savings, since such stations are not able to work on competitive conditions, add additives, resins, etc. And this, of course, wears out candles faster.

Signs that it's time to change the candles

If you began to notice some problems in your car, then it is worth checking how the candles feel there, and, possibly, replacing them. Signs:

1. Complicated engine starting. It looks like this: the starter fires, but the engine either does not start at all, or starts with difficulty, only after a long “torment” of the starter.
2. The motor “troit” - twitches when driving, which can be especially felt at idle. It also has reduced power and traction.
3. A noticeable deterioration in the dynamic characteristics of the motor. It is difficult for him to develop momentum, and as a result, power decreases.
4. An increase in fuel consumption, as well as an increase in the amount of CO in the exhaust, may indicate a problem with the candles.

How to control candles

If you notice that the engine is troit, there are typical vibrations, noises and instability, try to drive the car into the garage and visually evaluate the condition of the candles yourself.

To do this, determine the gap of the electrode, its size, soot on it. In order to understand a large or small gap, you need to look into the instructions for the candle that is installed. Having learned their size, with the help of this information you can decide whether a replacement is needed. If the gap is more than necessary, this means that the resource of the candle has exhausted itself, and its replacement is needed.

Regarding soot - ideally it should not be at all, if it does exist, then this indicates that the fuel is burning incorrectly. Check the integrity of ceramic insulators, they should not be any defects and cracks. If these problems exist, then you should not experiment: go to a car service, as you need a detailed diagnosis of problems.

What will lead to an untimely replacement of candles

One of the most unpleasant consequences of malfunctioning candles and the lack of replacement can be detonation in the combustion chamber. This can lead to the propagation of a shock wave throughout the mixture, as a result: detonation of the cylinder charge. When this happens, you will hear a loud metallic sound. If the detonation is strong, then the engine power will drop, black smoke will go from the exhaust. Such exposure can result in serious engine malfunction.

Spark plugs are an important component in the engine, they must be replaced in a timely manner. Monitoring the condition of these parts can be carried out independently, as well as a replacement. It is important to know how the car will behave in the event of a malfunction.

Video: replacing spark plugs