Why spark plugs burn out

If you are experiencing engine problems, taking a look at your spark plugs is a good place to start. When reading spark plugs, you will likely find one of the following conditions:.

You can do this as part of the routine maintenance of your car, ATV, lawnmower or boat, or if you suspect something is wrong with the engine. The first step is removing the spark plug you want to look at. Follow these instructions on how to remove a spark plug.

Take the spark plug in your hand and begin looking at it for signs of damage. Look at end of the spark plug that was in the cylinder and examine it. You will likely see one of the following conditions. A normal spark plug will have brown or grayish-tan deposits on the side electrode. Everything is just fine with your spark plug; you can reinstall the spark plug. Black, dry soot on the electrodes and insulator tip indicates a carbon-fouled plug.

Black, oily deposits on the electrodes and insulator tip points to an oil-fouled plug. Oil could be leaking into the cylinders, getting past pistons that are worn or valve guides that are worn. Finding the source of the leak is very important — consult a mechanic for guidance.

Once the problem is addressed, you can replace the spark plug. When you have enough exposure to bad quality fuel filters, there might be instances that even the spark plug will go bad fast. The causes of spark plug failure are often due to a loose wire connection, low-quality plugs or even improper engine tuning.

In addition, make sure you only use high-quality spark plugs to avoid any issues with premature wear. There are several things that can cause this. For example, if the engine timing is off and pre-ignition happens, this can result in excess heat buildup in the combustion chamber, which will consequently affect the spark plug. The metals on the tip have a small gap, which must be measured accurately for your engine when the spark plug is installed.

Now, if the gap is not correct, extra stress can occur on the tip, leading to wear out faster. This is arguably one of the reasons the spark plugs might go bad fast. Coolant leaking into the combustion chamber can also lead to spark plug fouling. This is basically a big problem because it can be insanely expensive to fix a leaky head gasket.

A fouled spark plug may be an indication that a head gasket is beginning to leak and should be fixed immediately. The type and condition of the engine oil. Spark plugs also need to be replaced if they are too old. It is important to remember that spark plugs are not meant to be replaced for the sake of it, but if you notice any signs of wear or degradation, then it is time to change them.

The two most important factors in deciding how long a spark plug lasts before they need replacing are:. Additionally, if there is too much air or fuel in your engine it could cause increased cylinder pressure, which will make the electrodes to wear quicker. Sign up or log in Sign up using Google. Sign up using Facebook. Sign up using Email and Password. Post as a guest Name. Email Required, but never shown. Featured on Meta.

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