Repair Information

Spark Plug Tester-Everything You Need to Know

Posted on by AUTOOL
06
Aug

Have you ever wondered what spark plugs do? How do you find them? What tools are used to test them? When do spark plugs need to be replaced? Are these your questions? Read on to find out.

What does a spark plug do?

Spark plugs – the ‘heart’ of a car engine. The main function of the spark plug is to ignite the fire and ensure that the combustion process runs smoothly. Its electrodes produce a high-voltage arc that creates a spark that ignites the gas mixture in the engine cylinder. As a result, the gas mixture in the cylinder explodes and burns, pushing the piston into motion, which turns the engine and allows the car to run normally.

Where are the spark plugs in your car?

Refer to 4 in picture, which is where your car’s spark plugs are located.

What types of spark plugs are there?

  • Spark plugs are mainly divided into non-resistive and resistive spark plugs in terms of function. At present, due to the continuous development of automobile electronic control, and the continuous application of various electronic components in the automobile, resistance spark plugs become the mainstream products on the market. The advantage of resistive spark plugs is to reduce the corrosion of the electrode in the discharge process; in addition, to reducing the electromagnetic wave generated in the discharge process on the car in the impact of electronic equipment, the latter is also the fundamental reason for the current resistive instead of resistive spark plugs.
  • Spark plugs are distinguished from the material, and generally can be divided into copper core, single platinum, double platinum, and iridium, embodied in the end of the different. Precious metal spark plugs on the one hand improve the spark plug life and enhance the reliability of ignition.
  • Spark plugs can be structurally differentiated into single, double, triple, and quadruple side poles, but of course, there are also several other less common forms.

6 Signs the Spark Plugs or Spark Plug Wires Need Replacing

Spark plugs play an important role behind the scenes as the heart of your car’s engine. However, due to heat build-up in the combustion chamber cargo cooling system malfunction, the spark plug tip may be overmanned and repeated overheating can lead to premature failure of the spark plug.There are bad spark plugs that are visible to the naked eye, cracked insulators, worn electrodes, carbon build-up, etc., in addition to the signs that will mark a spark plug as needing to be replaced.

  • Regular maintenance: ordinary spark plugs may need to be replaced after 2-3W kilometers; if it is a precious metal spark plug, then the life will be a little longer, generally can be replaced once 6W kilometers; if you use iridium spark plugs, you can drive 8W kilometers or so before replacement. In addition, it is recommended to check the color of the spark plugs and the contact spacing every 3 years or after driving 6Wkm. If the gap of the spark plug is too large, or the surface has obvious ablation, and carbon deposits then you need to consider replacing it.
  • Fuel Economy Degradation: Dirty or fouled spark plugs reduce fuel economy because they do not burn gasoline efficiently in the combustion cycle.
  • Slower acceleration: if your car takes a long time to accelerate and lacks overtaking power, it could be caused by worn spark plugs.
  • Rough Idling: If the engine makes a pinging, rattling, or knock-like noise or has a strong vibration, the spark plugs or the spark plug wires could be to blame.
  • Difficulty starting: If the spark plugs do not produce enough spark to start the combustion process, the engine will not start. Other causes of hard starting include ignition system problems, a battery that needs to be replaced, or worn spark plug wires, to name a few.
  • Warning Lights: Do not ignore the engine outline symbol or the “check engine” light. These warning lights will come on if the spark plugs are faulty or if the spark plug wires need to be replaced.
These five questions have given us an introductory level of understanding of spark plugs. Then the last question we will address is how to choose a spark plug tester

Spark plug tester is any engine with a spark plug necessary diagnostic tools, you can realistically simulate the engine conditions, simulate the engine speed will be tested spark plugs for comparison, a more intuitive observation of the working condition of the spark plug.

The next post I will introduce you to how to choose a spark plug tester.

AUTOOL

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