A part called a spark plug is used to ignite the fuel of gasoline cars. Spark plugs have a service life. So what is a spark plug and what is it for? How does the spark plug work? When do the spark plugs change at how many kilometers and what are the signs of failure? We will find answers to all of these questions in this article.
What Are Spark Plugs and How Does It Work?
Gasoline cars have air and fuel inside their engines. A spark is needed for this mixture to burn. The part that provides the spark required for fire to occur in the engine combustion chamber is called a spark plug.
How many spark plugs are in the car : How many cylinders there are in a car’s engine is as many spark plugs. 90 percent of today’s cars are 4-cylinder. The number of engine cylinders is written on the license. In addition, in engines with more than 4 cylinders, the number next to V, such as V6, refers to the number of cylinders.
How Does the Spark Plug Work?
The electricity of a normal battery varies between 12-15 volts. Since this voltage is too low, it is not enough for the spark plugs to produce sparks. But for this process there is a part called a coil. The coil increases the electricity it receives from the battery to a value between 10 and 20 thousand volts. Thanks to this high voltage, electrical sparks are formed in the spark plugs. In short, the spark plugs have ignited. We can compare the ignition of spark plugs to the same magnetic lighter. Pressing the button of the lighter creates a spark once. In spark plugs, this spark continues continuously. If we ask where the spark plug is located, the spark plugs are located above the engine cylinder head with the ends facing the combustion chamber.
When to Replace Spark Plugs?
As with every part in automobiles, spark plugs have a service life. Under normal conditions, a spark plug needs to be replaced no more than once every 25 thousand kilometers. However, if the cylinder head seal is burned, the life of the spark plugs will be shortened as water will enter the ends. In addition, the quality of a spark plug is the factor that determines its lifespan. Cheap spark plugs do not go even 10 thousand kilometers, while quality spark plugs go up to 30 thousand kilometers. In addition, malfunctions in parts such as spark plug cable coils may shorten the life of the spark plugs. If you have a spark plug swap wrench, you can remove the spark plugs and look at the thickness of their tabs. If the tab is reduced, the less the spark plug fires.
What Are the Symptoms of Spark Plug Failure?
When your vehicle’s spark plugs get old or fail, you will surely know this immediately.
1- Idle Voice Operation and Idle Surge
If your vehicle’s spark plugs are worn out or malfunctioned, your vehicle’s engine will idle and will run audibly. In addition, fluctuations in idle will occur as the ignition will be interrupted.
2- Hard Work of the Car
When the spark plugs fail, the ignition system is not working correctly. If you have difficulty starting your car in the morning, it may be due to a spark plug failure. But not every hard work is due to the failure of the spark plug.
3- Engine Stuttering, Especially at Low Revs
Spark plugs provide the most ignition to accelerate the vehicle when the vehicle is driving at low revs. especially if the engine stutters when you press the gas when driving below 2500 RPM, this may be due to spark plug failure. However, this malfunction should not be confused because it gives the same symptom in the failure of the spark plug cable and the coil.
4- Increase in Fuel Consumption
If your car’s fuel consumption has increased a little more recently, spark plugs may be responsible. Since the spark plugs do not ignite correctly, the fuel does not burn completely, which leads to an increase in fuel consumption.
5- Traction Loss
Spark plugs in some cylinders may not ignite at all. This causes the engine to run with few cylinders. When the spark plugs fail, the engine will lose power.
How Much Are the Spark Plug Prices and Change Labor Fee?
In fact, it is very easy to replace the spark plugs of your car. If you have a suitable spark plug wrench, you can easily remove it from the slot and replace it. But since no one has a spark plug in his hand, they go to a master. As of 2021, spark plug prices vary between 75 and 300 liras for 4 “Bosch, Svac, NGK, Behr, Valeo and Marelli” brands. The price of a spark plug varies according to the materials used at the end of the spark plug, “nickel, iridium, and platinum”. The labor fee for spark plug replacement is normally $ 10, but if there is a master who demands more than $ 20 from you, move away. Because replacing the spark plug is a very easy process.
