Replacing spark plugs

What are spark plugs and why are they needed

To understand which spark plugs to use for an engine, you need to understand how they are arranged

• • metal body
  • central conductor
  • insulator

The alloy from which the working elements are made can also be different.

Platinum spark plugs also last longer than conventional ones. Special coatings give special strength to the electrodes during ignition of the mixture in the cylinders. Often, this technology is used in the manufacture of Denso spark plugs.

A built-in resistor (resistance) may be located inside, it is located between the contact terminal and the main electrode. The working surfaces of the candles are often covered with a layer of various compositions – this increases the service life of the elements.

Almost all automakers produce models with a diesel engine. They are durable and reliable, but require special maintenance and repair. The reason lies in the design features and the principle of operation, which are very different from gasoline counterparts.

If you need to replace the glow plugs in your car, contact our modern VAG Master car service

The main difference between a “diesel” engine and a “diesel” engine is the absence of a spark in the combustion chamber, which in gasoline models ignites the fuel. Here, fuel is supplied to an already heated chamber, the air temperature in which, due to compression by the piston, exceeds 700 ℃. This is enough for self-ignition, so glow plugs are installed instead of spark plugs.

Why spark plugs don’t work

The main problem that “threatens” the spark plug electrodes is carbon deposits. It appears due to the influence of high temperatures and chemical reactions that occur in the combustion chambers during engine operation. The cause of deposits is incomplete combustion of fuel, so it is important to correctly select spark plugs, precisely adjust the ignition timing, valves, and monitor the health of all engine sensors.

Types of carbon deposits on spark plugs

• • light gray, pale brown colors – indicate a small number of deposits of combustion products, they are visible on the side parts of the electrodes, this is a sign that the engine is working normally, and high-quality fuel is used
  • black – indicates that the engine power system is excessively enriching the mixture, so it does not burn out completely, it is formed soot
  • wet deposits on the electrodes, a strong smell of gasoline is felt – too much fuel in the mixture or malfunctions in the ignition system, comprehensive diagnostics will be required to accurately determine the malfunction
  • shiny slag is visible on the electrode and insulators – it means that engine oil is getting into the cylinders, this indicates a poor condition of the oil dipstick caps, piston rings, valve bushings

The list of all types of spark plug malfunctions is quite large. On some cars with automatic transmissions, transmission fluid can penetrate the cylinders. It sometimes seeps through a worn vacuum corrector membrane. And when operating a car on ethyl gasoline, porous deposits with a distinct smell of hydrogen sulfide may appear on the spark plugs. Experts believe that the service life of spark plugs when driving on such fuel is reduced by almost 2 times.