What Do Spark Plugs Do? Learn About Spark Plugs Here

The internal combustion engine of your car allows you to drive around the town unless you have an EV (Electric Vehicle). The mixture of air and fuel is ignited with the help of the electricity created by small lightning bolts, called spark plugs. Discover what do spark plugs do and the different types there are to choose from.

 

You can’t even start your car without spark plugs. That’s why it’s important to understand what these little lightning bolts are and how they work. Let’s discuss everything you need to know about spark plugs and their working mechanism.

 

What Are Spark Plugs?

Spark plugs are small bolts that ignite the air and fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of your vehicle’s engine by creating electricity. They allow your vehicle to start and continue running, which is impossible without these parts.

 

Each spark plug in your engine requires a separate wire for a constant connection with the coil distributor. In addition, each cylinder in your vehicle’s engine needs a separate spark plug.

 

Both in practice and theory, spark plugs are simple devices. However, they need maintenance as well as accurate timing to work efficiently. The charge that spark plugs create varies from 40,000 to 100,000 colts and they need a ceramic insulator for continuous protection.

 

How Does a Spark Plug Work?

 

The spark that spark plugs create ignites the fuel and air mixture in the combustion chamber. But each cylinder in your vehicle needs a series of small explosions in order to keep the engine running. These small explosions generate the force required to move the engine’s pistons.

 

Each cylinder in your vehicle contains exactly the same combination of air and fuel. The spark plug ignites as the piston inside the cylinder rises. The pressure required to move the piston down again is also created by the electrical arc and the engine keeps running. This series of actions continues to repeat as your vehicle moves.

 

Different Types of Spark Plugs

 

There are different types of spark plugs available in the market that come with different materials and characteristics. However, all of them are used to perform the same functions. The following are the most common types of spark plugs that you can buy for modern vehicles.

 

Copper Spark Plugs

 

Copper spark plugs remained the industry standard for a long period of time. They were also the most affordable type of spark plugs. They have copper and nickel coated inner cores and because of these soft metals, they also have a shorter lifespan as compared to modern spark plugs.

 

It’s also important to note that copper spark plugs are also not suitable for cars that come with ignition systems based on the high-energy distributor. Nowadays these spark plugs are only used in older engines. 

 

Silver Spark Plugs

 

Silver spark plugs are very uncommon as they’re mainly used in European motorcycles and cards. The electrodes of these spark plugs are coated in silver and it allows them to offer better thermal conductivity, however, they have poor longevity.

 

Platinum Spark Plugs

 

As the name implies, the platinum spark plugs come with the center electrode made of platinum, which is a hard metal and offers a longer lifespan.

 

These spark plugs can generate more heat than silver and copper spark plugs and work efficiently at high temperatures. These characteristics also reduced the carbon buildup.

 

Double Platinum Spark Plugs

 

The double-platinum spark plugs not only have the platinum center electrode but their ground electrode is also made of platinum. They are more expensive than most other types of spark plugs but they also offer better longevity and performance as compared to single platinum spark plugs.

 

Iridium Spark Plugs

 

Iridium spark plugs are considered to be the best plugs. They come with the “fine wire” center that efficiently conducts electricity. They also have a center electrode and they need less voltage to ignite fuel and air mixture. These spark plugs are most commonly used in high-performance vehicles.

 

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Which Spark Plug Should You Choose for Your Vehicle?

 

Using the wrong type of spark plug in your vehicle not only provides you with poor engine performance but can also damage your vehicle’s engine severely. The best way to find the right spark plugs for your engine is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

 

You’ll never need to change the type of spark plugs for your vehicle unless you change your engine. You can also visit your local automotive parts store or mechanic to find the most suitable spark plugs for your vehicle’s engine.

 

What Does Spark Plug Gap Mean?

 

All types of spark plugs must be installed with a proper “gap” to work effectively. The gap refers to the distance between the ground and center electrodes. In order to make sure that the spark plugs operate at the correct voltage, the gap must be set precisely.

 

How to Check the Spark Plug Gap?

 

All modern types of spark plugs come pre-gapped. However, mechanics always check the gap before installing these devices in your engine. If the spark plug isn’t gapped correctly, it can lead to several issues such as poor gas mileage, misfires, and loss of power.

 

The manufacturer’s manuals also contain information regarding the proper spark plug gap. Any certified mechanic will check it before installing spark plugs. You can also use a feeler gauge, or gap gauge tool to check the spark plug gap.

 

All you need to do is to run any of these tools through the electrodes of your spark plug to calculate the gap. You can then compare your calculation with the manufacturer’s recommendation to find out whether your spark plugs are installed correctly or not.

 

How to Diagnose Worn Spark Plugs?

 

You can inspect your engine’s spark plugs to figure out whether or not they’re performing optimally. However, if you don’t have any experience, consider taking your vehicle to a certified mechanic to get your engine’s spark plugs checked.

 

The following are some common reasons why the performance of spark plugs decreases:

 

• Broken Electrodes: Flattened or broken electrodes can’t perform optimally and it usually happens if the wrong spark plug type is installed.
• Worn Electrodes: worn electrodes mean that you need to change your spark plugs as they’ve reached their lifecycle’s end.
• Burnt: White deposits and melted electrodes are some obvious signs of heat damage. It means your spark plugs are running too hot.
• Wet: Wet spark plugs can ignite the fuel and air mixture and it happens because of a flooded engine. In such a situation, all you need to do is to let the spark plugs dry.
• Oil Buildup: Oily deposits on the insulator tip or electrodes indicate an oil-fouled spark plug. It usually happens due to some kind of leak and it also indicates that there is some serious problem with your vehicle’s engine.
• Carbon Buildup: Carbon fouled spark plugs usually have a black Soot on the insulator tip and electrodes. However, the black soot can also indicate some other problems such as a rich air and fuel mixture or a dirty air filter.
• Normal Wear: If you see gray or brown deposits on the side electrode, it’s a sign of normal wear.

 

Reasons for Worn-Out Spark Plugs

 

Spark plug deteriorates those electrodes very minimally each time it creates an arc of electricity. With the passage of time and continuous use, the gap between the electrodes increases and the spark plug needs to generate more electricity to start the ignition process.

 

Resultantly, the ignition performance decreases and as the gap continues to grow, the spark plug fails to arc. The following are some other reasons that lead to premature wear.

 

• Carbon buildup
• Oil contamination
• Overheating due to pre-ignition

 

Common Symptoms of Worn-Out Spark Plugs

 

As mentioned, a worn-out spark plug decreases your vehicle’s engine performance with time. That’s why it’s important to replace your spark plugs at regular intervals. The following are some common symptoms of worn-out spark plugs.

 

Slow Acceleration or Hard Starting

 

If you feel that your vehicle is struggling to start and the battery is in good condition, you might need to replace your spark plugs. The spark plugs need to send extra ignition sparks in order to accelerate the vehicle. The acceleration of your vehicle can be adversely affected because of worn-out spark plugs.

 

High Fuel Consumption

 

Your engine will work inefficiently because of worn-out spark plugs and that will increase fuel emission and consumption.

 

Misfiring

 

You can also notice unusual noises and vibrations like knocking or rattling if your engine’s spark plugs are worn-out. It usually happens when your engine is in an idle state.

 

If you experience any of these signs, take your vehicle to a certified mechanic to get your spark plugs checked. You must not delay it because a faulty spark plug can cause further damage to your vehicle.

 

Final Words

 

Spark plugs are small parts of your engine but they play a vital role in starting and moving your vehicle. We hope this guide will help you understand the role of these small lightning bolts to enjoy a smooth ride and better fuel economy.