Often in the automotive community you can hear a variety of opinions about the life of spark plugs. Some are sure that the candle can average about 20,000 km. Another group of motorists is sure that it can easily drive even 100 thousand km. Professionals cannot come to the same opinion, because there is no single answer to this question. So all the same, how often do you need to change the spark plugs? This can be done according to the regulations of the manufacturer of the car or the wear of the parts themselves.
Also often these elements are changed based on their actual state. Today it is
a stumbling block. Some owners are sure that it is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations of manufacturers. Others believe that if the condition of the candles is normal, and the engine starts at any temperature, then they need to be changed no sooner than after 90 thousand km. It is necessary to find out how often to change the spark plugs and what can happen if this is not done. And we will begin to understand this issue from the very beginning.
Why does the motor need a candle
These devices are necessary to create a spark through which the fuel mixture will ignite in the engine cylinders. The ignition process takes place by means of a high voltage discharge between two electrodes.
How is the spark plug
It consists of several parts. The pin pin is needed to connect the device to the high voltage line. Also in the composition you can find an insulator, the function of which is to protect the part from overheating. Insulator fins are designed to prevent breakdown over the entire surface of the part. Between the lateral and central electrodes, a discharge and a spark just pass. The device also has a special sealant that prevents fuel from entering the combustion chamber into the motor housing.
Characteristics
A part can have many characteristics, but the most important of them is the size of the gap between the electrodes. It is on this value that the efficiency of arson of a combustible mixture depends. The larger the gap, the more powerful the spark. Also with a good spark, the ignition zone will be larger. This is the key to stable fuel consumption and smooth engine operation. If the gap is small, then the spark appears earlier than necessary, and the breakdown will take place at lower voltages. This reduces the power and efficiency of the power unit.
Another important characteristic is the incandescent number. This figure shows the maximum temperature load. Domestic products have numbers 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26. European and American manufacturers of such scales do not adhere. Imported products are divided into candles of hot and cold type.
If you set too cold, with a high heating number, they will not clean themselves well and there will be interruptions in the engine. How much to change the spark plugs depends on the condition of the part and the manufacturer's recommendations. Too hot a part can cause ignition. This can lead to rather devastating consequences that look like detonation.
Material and resource
Before figuring out how often to change spark plugs, it is necessary to divide all the devices on the market into two groups. These are platinum or iridium products and simple. The candle works in a closed unit, and without removing it is impossible to assess its level of wear. Automakers are advised to perform a replacement during a routine inspection. This usually happens every 10-15 thousand kilometers. The procedure is relevant for simple candles. But often such a resource is indicated for expensive products. Most likely, in this way service centers can earn on their replacement. You can best understand when to change the spark plugs, according to the condition of the part.
Car owners with extensive experience determine wear by mileage. So, the replacement should be made every 20-30 thousand km. If you open a directory of a self-respecting manufacturer, then it says when to change the spark plugs. For simple devices, this is 20 thousand km, and for platinum - 100 thousand km.
These figures can vary depending on the quality of the fuel, as well as on the condition of the power unit. There are situations when, due to the constant use of low-quality fuel, the candle electrodes burn out ahead of time. At the same time, the driver will feel the uneven operation of the engine, traction falling. Another extreme is when the car runs on ordinary candles about 80 thousand km, and the owner does not even realize that the car has lost power and increased appetite. To the question of how long it is necessary to change the spark plugs, it is difficult to give a new answer. It should be based on the resource that the manufacturer assigns.
Signs of wear
Before contacting the official service, it is possible to determine that it is time to replace the candles by twitching and vibration during movement. Often the engine troit. Before a trip to the diagnosis, you can inspect the details yourself. This is true if they are easy to extract. When to change spark plugs, you can understand by their appearance, as well as by other characteristics.
Check clearance
The first thing they pay attention to the gap and the presence of soot. Each candle is marked with the type of device and the size of the gap. This is the latest figure. It is usually indicated in the labeling of the latter, but this indicator is indicated in millimeters. If the actual gap is greater than the one indicated on the marking, the part must be replaced.
Nagar
The ideal option is a complete lack of soot. When the combustion process is correct, the electrodes tend to self-clean. On a candle there can be a deposit of black or white color. It does not depend on the quality of the candle, but indicates an incorrectly set ignition.
If the color of carbon deposits and the general appearance of the candles are different, then you should remember how long to change the spark plugs. Well, of course, all the candles must be replaced.
Type of ceramic insulator
Cracks may appear in it. If they are, then they can fill with a brown coating. This is a defect, and ideally the whole kit should change. All recommendations are calculated by mileage. If it is 20 thousand kilometers for ordinary and 100 for platinum, then you can safely replace these elements with a complete set. As for the question, through which mileage to change the spark plugs, you should use the recommendation of the device manufacturer.
What will happen if you do not replace them
If the car owner for some reason missed the replacement date, then this will not lead to tragic consequences. But at the most necessary and urgent moment, when the car is needed right now, the engine will simply refuse to start. Therefore, it is so important to remember how many kilometers to change the spark plugs so that unpleasant situations do not happen.
Signs of a broken candle have already been considered, and if you ignore these symptoms, you can spend a round sum on engine repair. Among the tragic breakdowns is detonation in the cylinder. As a result, a shock wave arises, which can cause the entire charge in the cylinder to detonate. When the shock wave bounces off the wall of the combustion chamber, a characteristic metallic ringing can be heard.
If the detonation is quite strong, then the motor loses power, and black smoke flows from the
exhaust pipe . The engine is under heavy load. The edges of the pistons, as well as the
gaskets of the cylinder head of the engine, may melt. The shock wave can also cause increased cylinder wear. To prevent this from happening, you need to remember when to change the spark plugs. And then the car will delight its owner.
So, we found out how many kilometers and in which case the car owner needs to change the spark plugs. We hope you find this information useful.