Spark plugs are a part that needs to be replaced somewhere after 30-35 thousand kilometers. And for sports cars, candles are replaced after 15-20 thousand km. This is due to the influence of an aggressive external environment with high temperatures and electric discharges on individual elements of the candle construction.
An ordinary automobile candle consists of a central electrode, a side electrode, a gasket, a metal sheath, an insulator, insulator fins (for a better spark exit) and a contact exit. As a rule, electrodes break down, which are burned out under the influence of high temperatures, violating a predetermined distance between themselves (between the side and central electrodes), called the spark plug gap. The insulator can also suffer, as a result of which a spark does not form in the candle, which affects the operation of the engine.
Spark plugs are replaced in accordance with the specifications specified in the vehicle technical data sheet. Experts recommend producing it on time and in full, as a worn spark plug can create a threat of engine detonation, in the case of which there will be a need for a very expensive repair.
In the general case, it is recommended to put “native” candles, however, if there are none at hand or there is a desire to supply more efficient spare parts of this kind, then you can take advantage of the fact that spark plugs are interchangeable in the automotive industry. Because There is no universal international marking for spark plugs, then the selection of the spark plug is carried out using tables where Russian candles (German, French, American, Czech, Japanese, and other candles are compared to Russian candles (the coding often starts with “A”).
Replacement of candles can be made taking into account the style and place of driving a car (city, highway). The more aggressive the style, the greater should be the heating number, which is inversely proportional to the temperature in the insulator circuit. In some cases, the operation of the car can be positively affected by the use of candles with platinum inserts or candles with several side electrodes, which last longer than usual due to greater resistance to corrosion (platinum) or even distribution of the discharge between 3-4 electrodes.
Experienced car enthusiasts know how to change spark plugs without contacting a car repair shop. To do this, firstly, the ignition elements are turned off (unscrewed with a key for 10-12). Secondly, before changing the candles around them, dirt is removed to prevent debris from entering the engine. This is done using a tire compressor, high pressure compressor or a simple brush. Next, a candle key is taken , which has a special head with a gasket, the spark plug is unscrewed and removed. New candles are also screwed in with a candle key, the ignition is connected in place. The operation takes about ten to fifteen minutes.
Mostly spark plugs are replaced with new ones. However, in some cases, after uncomplicated “life” operations, candles can be extended. It is cleaned of soot with a solvent, examined for damage, checked for performance on special stands, adjust the gap between the primary and secondary electrodes and set back.
Note that some samples of modern automotive technology are so complex that replacing candles on them in artisanal conditions is impossible. In this case, there is nothing left to do but contact a specialized service about changing spark plugs. The cost of the service is not very high - from 300-400 rubles and depends on the design features of the machine of a particular brand.