Candles are an essential element of any engine. These elements are involved in the ignition of the fuel mixture. The candle has a fairly strong design. But the part operates under high loads and is subject to wear. In addition to natural wear and tear, this element is affected by low-quality fuel. Candles need to be changed periodically. Let's look at how often the spark plugs should be replaced, how to determine that it is time to change a part, and also find out what the clearance should be.
About replacement intervals
If the machine is under warranty, then in any case, all maintenance work is carried out strictly according to the manufacturer's regulations. Different car manufacturers regulate the replacement of candles on different runs. Often this is a period of 40-80 thousand kilometers. These numbers have a huge run. The fact is that on different cars different candles are installed.
The replacement interval depends on the materials, as well as the technologies that are used in the production process of the element. Also, the frequency of replacement of spark plugs depends on their resistance to high temperatures (heating number) and voltages.
Types of candles and replacement intervals
Modern candles can be divided into nickel and platinum. The first change every 30-45 thousand kilometers. The second ones go around 70-80. The life of an iridium-coated candle depends on how thick the central electrode is. The figure can vary in the range from 60 to 120 thousand kilometers.
How often to change candles, if the car is not under warranty
Ideally, if the replacement will be made with each change of oil in the engine. On average, it is 15-20 thousand km. But someone changes the oil more often, for example, every 8 thousand, which is very important for cars that are in operation in our country. In addition, if branded candles are necessary for the engine, then such a replacement will cost a lot. Yes, and such a frequent frequency of replacing spark plugs will not save. How much can a candle really work?
And here experts recommend not pulling once again with the replacement of parts, no matter how high-quality they may be. Even a candle with an iridium or platinum coating in our country should change to a new one no less than after 40-50 thousand kilometers.
If a cheap brand of Auchan spark plugs is installed in the engine, then these elements should be replaced with new ones at least once every 10 thousand kilometers. A cheap candle has a significantly lower resource, unlike an expensive one. But do not forget about fakes.
Why is periodicity so important?
If the car owner has violated the frequency of replacement of spark plugs and has not installed new parts, then this will not immediately lead to any serious consequences. If this is an expensive candle, then it might not have worked out its resource at all. But once with such candles the car just won’t start. There are several signs that inform the owner that they will soon have to change the candles. We will discuss this later.
Symptoms of dying candles
If the spark plugs are faulty, the engine will start to troit. He will twitch during movement, as well as at idle. There are also problems with starting the power unit. The starter will turn the flywheel, but the engine will not start. The spark may disappear if the clearance on the candles is too large. The fuel consumption and the amount of carbon dioxide in the exhaust gases will increase. Also, faulty candles are diagnosed by deteriorating dynamics. The engine will not gain momentum as before. Its power will also drop.
If you ignore all these symptoms, then after some time the motor may fail. Do not neglect regular replacement. It is cheaper than major repairs.
One of the most sad consequences is detonation in the cylinder. As a result of this, a blast wave is formed, which, depending on the amount of the fuel mixture, can cause the entire charge to detonate in the combustion chamber. During strong vibrations, the engine will experience mechanical and thermal loads close to maximum. As a result, pistons, cylinder head gaskets, and candles themselves are burned. The shock wave breaks the oil film in the upper parts of the cylinder. This entails increased wear of KShM parts.
The causes of the formation of black soot
When checking the details visually, many novice car owners are scared of black soot on spark plugs. The reasons for this phenomenon may be different. The type of deposit itself will tell you how the motor works.
The black greasy oily soot that forms on the electrode and on the thread indicates a large amount of oil that enters the cylinders. It gets there because of worn valve stem seals, piston rings or valve guide vanes. Candles in this case are not the cause of the problem.
Consider dry black soot on spark plugs, the causes of its formation. The first symptom is a malfunction in the operation of the candles, which may indicate a weak spark. The second reason is low compression. If velvety soot is noticed, it is worth checking the pressure in the cylinders.
On old gasoline engines, black soot may indicate incorrect carburetor settings. In inverter motors, this indicates a problem in the fuel pressure regulator. Another reason is too
rich a mixture. Also black soot on a candle can talk about a clogged air filter. The latter changes every 10 thousand kilometers.
About the clearance
It is also necessary to consider the clearance of the candle. The increased parameter increases the probability of spark breaks. The motor will troit. And at high speeds misfires are possible. A small clearance on candles is also not good. This is one of the reasons why candles are filled with gasoline. As a result, the ignition coil burns out.
How to check candles
You can check the part not only by the behavior of the car. There are other ways that can help make sure that it is working. So, you can check the spark plug for sparks using a multimeter or use a special device to check the spark plugs.
Diagnostics with a multimeter
Using this device, you can check for a short circuit inside the part.
But the fact is that after such a diagnosis it is difficult to talk about the health of the candle. For testing, the wires from the multimeter are connected in such a way that one cord is connected to the output, and the second to the base. After that, a spark should appear.
Instrument Diagnostics
A spark plug tester is a gun on which to test a spark plug for proper operation. Inspections are often carried out under pressure. This device can be purchased at any major car dealership.
To begin testing, the candle is inserted into the groove and a special cap is put on. Next, pull the trigger of the gun and see if a spark appears and the light comes on. If so, then the part is working. But again, getting an absolute guarantee on such a device is difficult.
If the spark is good at the stand, it is not a fact that the same spark will be in the engine. The combustion chamber has a completely different pressure. But if the candle did not work in the device, it is definitely not alive. Change them better kit.
Conclusion
So we figured out how long to change the spark plugs. As you can see, you need to know not only the frequency of replacement, but also the first signs of poor operation of the ignition system.