Car Knowledge: Spark Plugs Part #2 - Symptoms of Bad or Failing Spark Plugs

Spark plugs are similar to motor oil, fuel filters, and air filters in that they require routine service and maintenance to keep your eng...

Spark plugs are similar to motor oil, fuel filters, and air filters in that they require routine service and maintenance to keep your engine running strong. Most vehicles sold in the United States require that their spark plugs are replaced every 50,000 to 80,000 km. However, some newer cars, trucks and SUV's have advanced ignition systems that ostensibly make spark plug replacement unnecessary. Regardless of any warranties or claims made by a vehicle manufacturer, there are still situations where a spark plug wears out or shows signs of failing.

Listed below are a few common symptoms of worn out spark plugs or spark plugs that have fouled and need to be replaced by a ASE certified mechanic as soon as possible, so you can continue driving your vehicle without issue.

1. Slow acceleration
The most common cause of poor acceleration on most vehicles is a problem in the ignition system. Today's modern engines have multiple sensors that tell the onboard computer and ignition system when to send electric pulses to fire the spark plug, so the issue may be with a faulty sensor. However, sometimes the issue is just as simple as a worn out spark plug. A spark plug is composed of materials that work together in order to produce a spark hot enough to ignite the air-fuel mixture. When those materials wear out, the effectiveness of the spark plug is reduced, which can significantly reduce the acceleration of the vehicle.

If you notice that your car is running sluggishly or does not accelerate as quickly as it used to, it may be attributed to a spark plug that needs to be replaced. However, you should contact a mechanic to inspect this issue as it could be caused by multiple other factors including bad fuel filters, dirty or clogged fuel injector, or issues with oxygen sensors.

2. Poor fuel economy
When a spark plug works correctly, it helps burn fuel efficiently in the combustion cycle. When this occurs, your car can achieve better than average fuel economy. When the plug is not functioning optimally, it is frequently due to the fact that the gap between the spark plug electrodes is either too close or too far apart. In fact, many mechanics will take out spark plugs, examine them, and adjust the gap to factory settings as opposed to replacing the spark plug entirely. If your vehicle has a reduction in fuel economy, it very well could be attributed to a worn out spark plug.

3. Engine is misfiring
If the engine misfires, it's typically due to an issue in the ignition system. Most of the time in modern cars it's due to a sensor malfunction. However, it may also be caused by a spark plug wire or the tip of the spark plug that connects to the wire being damaged. An engine misfire can be noticed by intermittent stumbling or sputtering sounds from the engine. If the engine is allowed to keep misfiring, exhaust emissions will increase, engine power will decrease, and fuel economy will drop.

Because of all the potential problems associated with engine misfiring issues, you should contact a mechanic as soon as you notice an engine misfire. A professional mechanic can inspect the issue and determine the right course of action to repair the problem.

4. Difficulty starting the vehicle
If you have trouble starting your vehicle, it could be a sign your spark plugs are worn. However as noted above, the engine's ignition system is comprised of multiple individual components that must work cohesively in order to function properly. At the first sign of problems starting your car, truck or SUV, it's a good idea to contact a certified mechanic to take a look at the cause.

Regardless of what the issue might be, the reality is that spark plugs will eventually wear out. Being proactive about spark plug maintenance can extend the life of your engine by hundreds of thousands of miles.



Continue Reading:

Car Knowledge: Spark Plugs Part #1 - What is Spark Plugs? How is Spark Plugs works?
Car Knowledge: Spark Plugs Part #2 - Symptoms of Bad or Failing Spark Plugs
Car Knowledge: Spark Plugs Part #3 - How to "Read/Understand" a Spark Plug
Car Knowledge: Spark Plugs Part #4 - Spark Plugs Characteristic
Car Knowledge: Spark Plugs Part #5 - What type of Spark Plugs do you need? Hot or Cold?






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