Do-it-yourself check of spark plugs for functionality

How to check spark plugs with a tester

The serviceability of all components of the car guarantees its full functionality. The slightest malfunction can lead to the car simply not starting or driving.

The most common are: fuel supply system, power supply system, cooling system, lack of spark on spark plugs. The last breakdown is worth paying special attention to, due to its frequency of occurrence.

A spark plug tester will be needed to check the fault.

Symptoms of a problem

It is almost impossible to visually determine that there are problems with the current supply in the car. To diagnose, you should start the engine or drive the equipment at high speeds.

Before checking the ignition module, you should clearly know the symptoms of the “disease”. So, the first signals about problems with spark plugs:

• The vehicle's crankshaft rotates at the required speed, but the engine does not start. Due to the lack of a spark, there is no ignition of the combustible mixture;
• alternate flashes and fires occur in one or more cylinders, and as a result the engine operates unstable and chaotically;
• The power unit operates when the car starter rotates. When the “trigger” stops rotating, the unit stalls;
• a sharp loss of the machine’s power potential and, as a consequence, increased fuel consumption;
• failure of the catalyst due to a large amount of unburned fuel inside the segment;
• a long process of starting the engine during periods of medium and low outside temperatures. At this time, a large amount of moisture collects on the outer walls, which does not allow the spark of the candle to pass through;
• all kinds of mechanical damage to the spark plug body, which leads to an unstable supply of current to the combustion chamber for ignition.

If there are pronounced black carbon deposits on the spark plug housing, this indicates a malfunction in the power and fuel supply system. Problems with ignition timing can also be caused by worn-out power system wires .

Diagnostic methods

In many vehicles, access to the ignition system components is free and not cluttered with third-party parts. Therefore, the driver can easily check the spark plugs at the initial stage to ensure they are working properly.

The main thing is to maintain consistency and not to confuse them when unscrewing them from the cylinders. Checking the ignition module is always carried out with obligatory observance of the order in relation to the group of cylinders.

Mixing will lead to incorrect final conclusions.

Initially, you should turn off the power unit, one by one disconnect the wires from the conductors themselves and the distributor. If the sound does not change when starting the engine, then there is a problem. Otherwise, continue your search further.

Spark test

An ignition tester is the easiest and most affordable way to quickly check the ignition system for functionality. We unscrew each spark plug one by one and, if necessary, wipe or clean it of carbon deposits. Using a special tester probe, we check the gaps between the electrode and the conductor body.

Next, we apply the conductor to the engine body, most often this is the cylinder head cover. In this way we ensure constant contact in the power supply network.

We run the starter for 3 - 5 seconds, look for the presence or absence of a spark. We also remember the color with which it skips, as this is important for further diagnostics.

Blue color indicates that the conductor is fully operational, red or another color indicates the presence of a breakdown.

Checking with a multimeter

A universal tester or multimeter helps to quickly check the performance of spark plugs. This device is familiar to many car owners who have had to repair their vehicle. The main purpose of using a multimeter is to detect the presence or absence of a short circuit inside the spark plug.

The multimeter is very easy to use; no special experience or skills are required to use it. For diagnostics, unscrew the conductor, connect one terminal to the spark plug thread, and the second to the central output.

When voltage is applied, a spark should appear, which will indicate that the part is working, otherwise it must be replaced. Checking spark plugs with a multimeter is the most common diagnostic option at home.

If in testing mode the multimeter shows infinite or very high resistance, then the spark plug is considered non-working.

To check the resistance of the spark plug's built-in resistor, set the multimeter switch to 20 kOhm. One probe of the multimeter touches the central electrode, the other touches the contact terminal. The resistance of all candles should be approximately the same with a slight spread. For spark plugs of injection engines, the resistor resistance is about 4 kOhm.

Pistol check

In addition to checking with a multimeter and a special tester, there is also an original method called “gun test”. Its essence is to examine performance under pressure on a special stand.

The algorithm is as follows: insert the conductor into the groove, put on the tip, and after fixing, press the trigger of the gun. A green indicator will indicate 100% performance, a yellow indicator will indicate insufficient conductivity, and a red indicator will indicate a faulty spark plug.

Despite the invention of such a device, it does not provide 100% confidence in diagnosis, since the pressure in the gun is somewhat different from the pressure inside the cylinder.

Cleaning spark plugs

Many novice car owners are faced with the problem of cleaning spark plugs. Careless handling may damage the product or render it inoperable. When cleaning spark plugs with your own hands, use the following generally accepted methods:

• manual: a metal brush, rags, toothbrush will be useful. Using light movements around the base, we remove carbon deposits, bringing the product to its standard form. If necessary, use a solvent to remove carbon deposits;
• river sand, which can be taken from any beach or pond. Apply a small amount of sand to a rag and gently wipe the base until completely free of waste products;
• The sandblasting machine is used in service centers and repair shops. There, sand is supplied under high pressure, along with compressed air;
• acetone or other rye cleaner. You can purchase it at any auto store or car market;
• Some people use regular Coca-Cola, but its effectiveness has not been conclusively confirmed.

As you can see, checking spark plugs requires very little time, effort and money. Just 10 minutes is enough, and your car will be in full combat readiness. Follow the recommendations of the article, check the color of the spark, then everything will be fine.

Source: https://EvoSnab.ru/instrument/test/kak-proverit-svechi-zazhiganija

Elementary ways to check spark plugs yourself

Home » Spark plugs » Elementary ways to check spark plugs yourself

Checking the condition of the engine spark plugs for operability can be done at home. The main symptom that requires testing the spark plugs of an 8- or 16-valve engine is unstable operation. The engine will be harder to start and more unstable at idle.

In addition to this sign, there are other symptoms that may indicate that the candles are not working:

1. Flashes began to appear in the cylinders of the power unit. If flashes appear when the combustible mixture is ignited, this will one way or another lead to the fact that the engine will not be able to operate normally and interruptions will appear.
2. The engine becomes difficult to start or does not start at all.
3. Fuel consumption has increased. Due to the unstable operation of the SZ, the combustible mixture does not ignite, which will ultimately lead to a decrease or complete loss of power of the unit. As a result, the control unit, in order to compensate for the lost power, will increase the supply of fuel to the engine cylinders. As a result, this will cause increased consumption.
4. In some cars, the catalyst may break. If there is no ignition in the system, the air-fuel mixture will not ignite. Fuel that does not ignite will flow into the catalyst, where it will oxidize. Because of this, the catalyst may not work properly or even fail.
5. The engine is difficult to start when cold. When you turn the key in the lock, condensation can form on worn-out spark plugs, and water is a conductor. If the gap on the device electrodes is too large, then the breakdown voltage parameter will be high.
6. You can diagnose spark plugs visually - if there is damage on the surface of the devices in the form of cracks, the product is inoperative. If there is a problem, the spark plug will at least not work correctly.
7. It is also necessary to inspect the electrode of the spark plug - there should be no burning or deposits on it. Candles should not smell like fuel.
8. Sometimes poor functionality of products is associated with damage to high-voltage wires and breakdown of their insulation.

Photo gallery “Main spark plug faults”

Set of tools and materials for testing

To check the candles yourself, you will need a tool. The stand will provide the most accurate test result, but not every service station has such equipment, so it is unlikely that the average motorist will have it.

Alternatively, you can use a testing device - a tester or a multimeter. If you don’t have one, then you only need a spark plug wrench to remove the devices from their seats. You may also need a feeler gauge to measure the gap.

Verification methods

Spark plugs should always be checked during routine vehicle maintenance. There are several ways to determine the performance and effectively check the spark plugs.

Before determining the operability of the devices, the high-voltage cable leading to the distributor should be disconnected from each product. You can unscrew one spark plug at a time and check how the engine works without them.

If the performance of the power unit has improved, then the previously removed spark plug can be thrown away (a video about diagnostics was published by the alehtrikus channel).

Spark diagnostics

A simple method to implement that does not require the use of additional equipment and devices is spark diagnostics.

The diagnostic procedure is performed as follows:

1. Using a key, the product is unscrewed from its seat in the cylinder.
2. After this, the device is thoroughly cleaned of burning and deposits; an old toothbrush or a metal construction brush is perfect for this. When cleaning, do not be too zealous so as not to erase the working spray, but only the deposits.
3. If there is a probe, you can also check the gap between the electrode and the body to make sure that it is not increased.
4. Afterwards, the high-voltage switch is again connected to the spark plug, and the other end must be installed in the switchgear. After connecting the product, the end with the electrode should be brought to the metal - you can use a car body or a cylinder head.
5. You should hold the spark plug in this position, and your assistant should try to start the engine at this time. When the starter is turned, a spark should jump between the electrode and the metal, but its presence does not mean that the device is working normally. If the spark is blue and appears immediately, then the spark plug is generally functional. If it has a reddish tint and appears late or does not appear at all, then the device must be replaced.

Checking with a multimeter

Alternatively, you can use a multimeter to check. Such a device can be purchased at almost any themed store. Using a tester will allow you to diagnose a possible short circuit inside the device.

To check, follow these steps:

1. One probe with a wire from the tester should be connected to the spark plug output.
2. The second contact is connected to the base of the device.
3. If in the end there is a spark when connecting, then the product is fully operational. Other devices are checked in a similar way (Kirill Zbruenko described another method of checking the resistance parameter in his video).

Pistol check

You can use another diagnostic option; to implement it you will need a special gun. The gun tests the performance of products under pressure; you can use a homemade device for testing.

Diagnostics is performed as follows:

1. First, the product must be dismantled from the installation site using a special key.
2. Then the device is mounted into the connector on the gun; a cap must be put on it.
3. After the product is securely fixed, you will need to pull the trigger of the device.
4. When you pull the trigger, the light on the tester should light up. If this happens, then the spark plug being tested is working and does not need to be changed.

It must be taken into account that this diagnostic method has not become widespread among our compatriots due to its inaccuracy. That is, it is not a fact that the results obtained are reliable.

This is due to the fact that the testing process itself is carried out under pressure, but its value in the gun is less than the pressure used in the car engine.

If the check shows that the product is inoperative, then there is no need to doubt it, since the gun will easily detect the defect (a video on how to make a gun yourself for testing was made by Nail Poroshin).

Conclusion

In practice, you can use other testing methods - using a piezoelectric element (such as in a piezo lighter) or by disconnecting each high-voltage wire in turn.

The best method is still the old fashioned way - checking for a spark.

If it shows inoperability, then the products must be replaced, since with non-working spark plugs it will be impossible to achieve the correct operation of the unit.

The overall inspection process is greatly simplified if you periodically monitor the functionality of the spark plugs and know when you installed them. The operating life of the device varies on average around 10-20 thousand kilometers, but there are also improved options that operate longer. Iridium and platinum spark plugs will last 60 thousand km or more.

 Loading …

Video “How to clean candles?”

The method of restoring the performance of candles by cleaning them from the formed carbon deposits and deposits in an effective way is described in the video below (the video was shot by the user Oleg Ars).

Do you have any questions? Specialists and readers of the AVTOKLEMA website will help you ask a question

Source: https://avtoklema.com/svechi/kak-samomu-proverit-4417/

How to check a spark plug yourself | Motorist's benefit

One of the reasons why a car engine starts to run rough is a malfunction or failure of the spark plugs. In this case, the car loses power and fuel consumption increases.

We present several ways to independently check the spark plugs of a car engine.

One of the most common ways to identify a non-working spark plug is to remove the high-voltage wire of each spark plug one by one with the engine running and listen to see if the operation of the engine has changed.

If the next time you disconnect the wire, nothing happens to the engine, then this particular spark plug is not working, and vice versa, if the engine starts to work unstably, then the disconnected spark plug is working.

You can also very easily check the spark plug by unscrewing it and applying the metal part to the block or valve cover, and then turn it with the starter. A fully serviceable spark plug will produce a clear, not very large and not very small spark at the electrode. A faulty spark plug will have no or intermittent spark.

You can also check the spark plug using a special device, which is popularly called a “gun”. You can buy it at the car market or in a car dealership; you can also make a gun for checking spark plugs yourself.

The candle is installed in a special socket of the device and the button is turned on, while power is supplied to the electrodes, which causes a spark to appear. I would like to note that this method is not always effective, since the spark plug in the cylinder may not work, everything may depend on the nature of the damage.

Since the spark plug operates under high pressure conditions, the test can be performed in a similar environment. To do this, you need to make a small and very simple device; for this you will need a 20 ml medical syringe. with a suitable diameter. We install the candle in the syringe and create pressure with the syringe piston, then use the device described in the previous paragraph.

Checking the spark plug with a multimeter

Checking spark plugs with a multimeter is only possible to detect a short circuit; in other cases, this is a useless procedure. By and large, if a spark plug fails or is unstable, it is better to replace it.

Some craftsmen still try to check the spark plug using a multimeter, but this is a pointless endeavor, since carbon deposits on the electrodes and skirt affect the conductivity of the current, which will lead to false readings.

Here, for example, as in the presented video, the author is trying to check the spark plug using a multimeter.

In addition, the car maintenance regulations include the frequency of replacing spark plugs, so if you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, you won’t have to bother checking the spark plugs.

.

Related publications:

Source: https://sanekua.ru/proveryaem-svechi-zazhiganiya/

How to check the spark on a spark plug

An element in a gasoline engine is the spark plug. In simple words, it ignites the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber of the cylinder.

The content of the article:

1. Spark plugs - what are they?
2. How to check spark plugs yourself?
3. Conclusion.

Spark plugs - what are they?

Spark plugs are a device that performs the function of ensuring the ignition of the fuel mixture. Depending on the design of the engine, different spark plugs are used: spark, incandescent, arc, catalytic, semiconductor, plasma.

In gasoline-type automobile engines, spark plugs are used. Diesel engines use glow plugs. The rest are used in various heat engines.

How to check spark plugs yourself

You can check the presence of a spark and, in general, operability, in several ways:

1. Start the engine and pull out the high-voltage wires from the spark plugs one by one. If the spark plug does not work, the sound and vibration of the internal combustion engine will not change. And, if you disconnect the wire from a working spark plug, you will immediately feel changes in the operation of the motor.
2. Turn off the engine. Unscrew the spark plug, place the thread on the body, for example, on the valve cover, and a second person turns the ignition key. It is better for the person holding the candle to hold it with rubber gloves or let it go altogether. His task is to see if there is a spark, and what kind of spark it is.
3. A special device for checking spark plugs is a pistol. A spark plug is inserted into the gun and it is determined whether there is a spark or not.
4. A homemade device for testing candles - a piezo lighter with a wire. Connect the wire from the piezo lighter module to the removed candle and place the piezo lighter block itself on ground, then press the button on the block.
5. There is also a pressure test method. But why use all sorts of complicated methods when the first two methods of checking spark plugs are the most effective.

How to check the spark

From time to time you have to check the performance of the spark plugs to find out some of the reasons for unstable operation. There are 3 ways to check spark plug sparks:

1. We check for weight.
2. We check with an electronic measuring instrument (multimeter).
3. Manual mechanical military method of checking spark. The essence of the method is to make a gap of 4 mm. If the spark hits exactly in the middle, then this is a perfectly working spark plug. If with such a gap the spark hits the side, then this is a poorly functioning spark plug.

Signs that you need to check the spark plugs for a spark:

• interruptions at idle speed;
• engine tripping;
• twitching while moving;
• fuel consumption has increased.

Why there is no spark, reasons:

• the candles were flooded;
• broken high-voltage wires;
• contact is broken;
• The crankshaft sensor has failed;
• the ignition module has failed;
• the ignition coil (bobbin) has failed;
• the switch has failed;
• faulty distributor;
• the service life has expired (usually the service life is up to 50 thousand km);
• large layers of soot on the electrodes of the spark plugs (due to low-quality fuel and over-suction);
• presence of oil on the electrodes (excess oil and worn rings);
• varnish and slag deposits on the electrodes (due to various additives in oils and fuels);
• melted candles;
• mechanical damage to the composite spark plug;
• ground contact is poor;
• The electronic control unit (ECU) is not working correctly.

Conclusion

You can simplify the work with spark plugs by following a simple recommendation - change spark plugs according to schedule and service life. This is usually about 30 thousand km for gasoline internal combustion engines.

One of the methods for checking candles on video.

 General recommendations for using candles.

Source: https://autostuk.ru/kak-proverit-iskru-na-sveche-zazhiganiya.html

Spark plug tester

Spark plugs in a gasoline car engine are designed to create a spark, through which the combustible mixture in the cylinders is ignited. Failure of at least one means the impossibility of normal operation of the corresponding cylinder and interruptions in engine operation.

However, unstable operation and other engine malfunctions, having similar symptoms, can also occur for reasons that have nothing to do with the spark plugs.

Not wanting to spend money every time on buying a new set of the latter, many car enthusiasts would find it useful to know how to check spark plugs with their own hands?

Primary diagnostics on the engine

Of course, for diagnostics, you can contact a car service center, where there is a special stand and a spark gap. However, you can check the spark plugs yourself if you wish.

For indirect express diagnostics, you do not need a stand or any other device. Carrying out an initial check yourself is very simple. It is necessary to disconnect the high-voltage wires one by one and observe how the engine operates. If, when a cylinder is turned off, the nature of the operation does not change, then the reason lies precisely here.

However, this method does not guarantee 100% confidence that the fault lies in the spark plug, since problems with other elements of the ignition system, for example, with the ignition module or with a high-voltage wire, cannot be ruled out.

Removing and checking the gap

To remove the spark plug you will need a spark plug wrench. First you need to disconnect the high-voltage wire, and then carefully unscrew the spark plug using a wrench.

Before checking the gap, it is necessary to clean the spark plugs from deposits. Checking the gap between the electrodes is done using a flat feeler gauge. The standard clearance value is indicated in the maintenance and repair manual or on the parts packaging.

Checking the functionality of the removed spark plugs

After checking and setting the required gap, you need to check for sparking. It can be done in various ways:

• checking with the car removed;
• checking with a multimeter;
• testing with a piezo gun;
• checking using a home-made control device.

Checking with the car removed

The scheme is as follows:

1. remove the caps of the high-voltage wires;
2. unscrew the spark plugs;
3. connect them using metal wire through contact heads;
4. short the end of the wire to ground, that is, to any metal part of the car;
5. put on high-voltage wires;
6. crank the engine with the starter and observe the appearance and nature of the spark.

Using such a spark gap, you can establish that if the spark is weak, then most likely the part’s life is running out and it needs to be replaced.

Checking with a multimeter

Another indirect diagnostic method, which does not guarantee 100% correct results, can be implemented using a device such as an electrical circuit tester (multimeter).

Check scheme:

• the device is set to a resistance of 20 kOhm;
• one wire of the multimeter is connected to the contact head, and the other to the central electrode.

If there is contact (the tester shows resistance), then the cause of the malfunction may be damage to the insulator. Unfortunately, this device is not a spark gap, therefore, the disadvantage of this technique is the inability to control the spark. In addition, different types of candles must have their own resistance value, which is not always known.

Checking with a piezoelectric tester

Automotive stores sell a special piezoelectric tester (piezo gun), with which you can check the spark. Using such a device is simple: you just need to insert the candle into the device and press the button. A working spark plug fixed in the gun will produce a spark.

You don’t have to buy such a spark gap, but make it yourself using a lighter. The end of the wire coming from the piezoelectric block must be connected to the contact head, and the block itself with the button must be pressed against the spark plug body. The homemade arrester is ready.

If a spark does not jump when you press the button, then the spark plug is faulty.

Error

The main disadvantage of the described testing methods, carried out in the open air, is the difference in pressure (atmospheric and working), as a result of which even a faulty spark plug, when tested with a tester, can give a spark, since in an engine cylinder under excess pressure, more voltage is required to form a spark than in normal ones conditions. That is why such methods cannot guarantee 100% accuracy of the result.

A special testing stand, available in auto repair shops, simulates work under pressure in the cylinder, bringing diagnostic conditions closer to real ones. However, you can make such a device yourself.

Testing using a homemade device

In order to assemble a homemade arrester, you will need the following materials:

• syringe (20 ml);
• goujon (threaded bushing according to the diameter of the spark plug);
• glue;
• small syringe for applying glue;

The assembly diagram is as follows. The tip of the syringe is cut off. Glue is applied to the cut site and the adjacent inner plane and the goujon is installed. It will not be superfluous to additionally insulate the fastening of the goujon using wire or sealant. The homemade stand is ready.

Using the spark gap is very simple. To do this, you need to remove the spark plug, screw it into the goujon, and put on a high-voltage wire. The spark plug body must be shorted to ground. It is better to secure the syringe.

After starting the car engine, you need to press on the syringe plunger.

If a spark does not appear under pressure, is weak, or moves from the space between the electrodes to the body or central electrode, then the spark plug is faulty.

AutoLirika.ru

Checking the spark plugs

Spark plugs are a special device that is designed to quickly ignite the combustible mixture inside the combustion chamber. Spark plugs are widely used in internal combustion engines.

The mixture is ignited by creating a spark discharge of high voltage electric current at the end of the spark plug.

For proper engine operation, it is extremely important that all spark plugs provided by the manufacturer are in good condition. This guarantees its stable operation and the highest possible efficiency.

Signs of faulty spark plugs

If the engine idles unsteadily when warm, or is difficult to start, this is a sure sign of a faulty spark plug. In addition, it may not develop full power, and fuel consumption, at the same time, increases significantly.

These signs most often indicate a malfunction of 1 spark plug if the engine is 4-cylinder, 2 or more if there are 6-8 cylinders.

Methods for detecting a faulty spark plug

1. It is the simplest and requires caution, as it involves work involving touching high-voltage wires. To determine a faulty spark plug, it is necessary to pull out the high-voltage wires attached to the tips of the spark plugs one by one.

If the spark plug is working, then the operation of the engine should change dramatically, namely, the revolutions decrease sharply and lead to the fact that the engine will eventually stall. In this case, insert the wire into place and try to pull out the next one.

If, when the wire is removed, the engine operation remains unchanged, then the spark plug attached to this wire is inoperative.

 Attention! When using this method, you need to work with one hand and not allow other parts of the body to come into contact with the car body in order to eliminate the possibility of electric shock. Ideally, it is better to perform such an operation while wearing dielectric gloves.

2. To perform this method, it is highly recommended to use the same precautions as for the first method. The spark plug must be unscrewed and connected to the high-voltage wire.

Place the end of the spark plug on the cylinder head cover and ask your assistant to turn the starter on and off immediately. As the starter rotates, a bright blue spark will appear at the end of the working spark plug. This indicates that the spark plug is in good condition.

A spark of any other color indicates a malfunction of the spark plug, most often its internal short circuit.

3. If the first two methods are “folk” and unsafe, then the next method is professional and, in the same way, does not require special skills and abilities. This is done using a special device - a spark plug test gun.

Spark plug testing device "TEST-M"

This is the simplest and cheapest spark plug tester. It is a gun with a tip (probe), an indicator lamp and a plastic cap with a core inside, connected by a wire. A small generator is installed inside the device, which serves to test the spark plug. When diagnosing spark plugs, it does not require starting the engine and will save gasoline for the car owner.

Before checking, make sure that there are no external defects on the spark plugs, since when diagnosing externally faulty spark plugs, the device does not guarantee high accuracy of readings.

To check, you need to remove the high-voltage wire and put the device cap in its place. The probe of the device must be rested against the cylinder head. Then press the gun button several times and release it. The presence of flashes on the indicator lamp indicates that the spark plug is in good condition, while its absence indicates a malfunction of the spark plug.

The cost of such a device, on average, is 200 rubles, which makes it affordable not only for car service workers, but also for ordinary car enthusiasts who practice car repairs with their own hands.

Video - How to test spark plugs under pressure

That's all. As you noticed, checking spark plugs with your own hands is not a complicated operation and does not require special knowledge and skills from the driver, which are taught in special institutions. Good luck on the roads!

VipWash.ru

DIY spark plug tester - homemade

Source: http://autoprivat.ru/remont_avto/pribor_dlya_proverki_svechej_zazhiganiya.html

How to check spark plugs yourself

Home » Do-it-yourself Peugeot repair » How to check spark plugs with your own hands

Checking spark plugs, method No. 1

This technique is called “spark plug testing.” This method is usually performed at a service station using special equipment - a tester and a stand.

However, the test can also be carried out in the “field conditions”, with your own hands, using a probe. This is not difficult to do.

Using a feeler gauge, the gap between the electrodes is adjusted, after which the spark plug is connected to one of the wires and brought close to the engine so that there is contact with its ground.

Next, you need one assistant to turn the ignition key to start and crank the starter. The second person looks for the presence of a spark on the spark plug without touching it with his own hands in order to avoid injury from high voltage.

After these manipulations, the candle needs to be inspected. If a bright blue spark appears, then there is no problem. If the spark has a red tint, it may be faulty and requires careful cleaning. If there is no spark at all, then it is recommended to simply throw it away.

Here it is necessary to clarify that on many modern car engines this tricky technique is very difficult to implement due to the fact that the size of the wire will not allow you to reach the uninsulated area of ​​the motor in order to lean the spark plug against it. In this situation, you will need to remove something. And it is quite difficult to carry out such an operation only on your own. Another thing is on a moped or motorcycle.

Checking spark plugs, method No. 2

This technique involves carrying out a test using a tester, thanks to which you can determine the electrical resistance of the spark plug. Testing is carried out as follows: you need to connect the tester terminals to the tip and electrode, and then start it.

In the case when the needle literally goes off scale or “jumps,” it means that the spark plug does not need to be replaced or cleaned. If there are insignificant changes in the tester readings, then it is at least faulty or broken.

Checking spark plugs, method No. 3

To carry out such a test, you will need an ordinary piezoelectric lighter. You need to remove the block from it and connect a small wire to the output contact, and then insulate it with electrical tape.

We bring the lighter to the candle, and the wire must be connected to its contact on top, then press the start button on the lighter, watching how the candle reacts to this. The presence of a spark means that the device is in order; if it is absent, it is better to throw out the spark plug.

Summarizing the methods mentioned above, it must be said that testing spark plugs for performance on your own is not a particularly difficult task that even a novice motorist can cope with.

The most important thing here is to be careful and inspect the engine and its components from time to time. Systematic maintenance will not only ensure stable and high-quality operation of the car engine, but will also prevent all sorts of problems on the road.

Spark plug faults

Checking it can tell you a lot about the quality of the engine’s internal processes. By the appearance of its electrodes and the gap of the thermal cone, one can tell in advance about a malfunction in the engine operating system.

The most significant breakdown of a spark plug is a broken dielectric insulator, worn electrodes, leading to changes in their shape and gaps.

They can also be damaged by a lack of air in the combustible mixture, like oxygen starvation. Then they will be smoky and covered with a thick layer of soot.

These defects will subsequently affect the performance of the engine, as well as its starting. One of the typical problems is that the car suddenly began to run very unevenly, which means that the spark plugs have become unusable. It follows from this that this device must be treated with special care to ensure its normal operating condition.

Spark plugs almost always require checking the adjustment and cleaning the gap between the electrodes.

Such preventative maintenance is recommended to be carried out after ten thousand kilometers, or when the car is used frequently, and its entire service life is approximately twenty-five to thirty thousand kilometers.

It is necessary to make adjustments and check the electrode gaps twice a year at the onset of the summer and winter seasons.

Cleaning and checking spark plugs

To clean it properly, you need to use a brush with fine metal hairs. You cannot use a screwdriver or an awl for cleaning to avoid scratching the insulator, since carbon deposits will accumulate in this place faster and it will bypass the electrode. As a result, it becomes dirty faster and does not work at full capacity.

There is also a chemical cleaning method, and it will be much better than the first.

First, the candles are degreased and dried, after which they are immersed in ammonium acetate in a 20% solution (or otherwise ammonium acetate) for about 30 minutes, while the solution must be heated to 900 ° C, after which they are removed and clean with a nylon or hair brush. Then they are washed with hot water and dried.

All cleaning should be carried out indoors with good ventilation or in the open air for safety reasons, since when ammonium is used, acid is released that is harmful to the body.

Adjusting the electrodes in the spark plug

The gap on the spark plug electrode is adjusted by bending them to a certain distance. The distance is controlled with a feeler gauge, and it should not be flat, but cylindrical, because as a result of wear of the spark plug, a hole forms on the electrode, so a flat feeler gauge is not suitable for measuring the gap.

The highest quality testing and adjustment will be carried out by an experienced diagnostician. Therefore, it is better not to experiment with this on your own, and seek help from a service station.

Video on how to check spark plugs and replace them

It is clear that the operation of a vehicle is not without breakdowns. Small parts are usually the first to fail, including spark plugs. The device for igniting the air-fuel mixture is a small part. A gasoline engine will not be able to operate without it.

Their functions are as follows:

• ignite the working mixture;
• remove heat from the combustion chamber.

Note that with a working ignition system and spark plugs in particular, the engine runs perfectly.

Spark plug life:

• Conventional - 20, 30 thousand km
• Platinum - 50, 70 thousand km
• Iridium - 100 - 120 thousand km

Every driver should be able to determine when they need to be replaced and, of course, check them. This can be understood by looking at the average performance indicators.

The most likely causes of spark plug failure are that the devices are contaminated with products of incomplete combustion or the spark gap increases because the electrodes are worn out. The spark plugs fail ahead of schedule, without having time to work properly, the reason for this being breakdowns.

They are cleaned using solvents and a brush.

Choosing spark plugs

These components of a gasoline engine are purchased in accordance with the type of engine, as well as guided by the labeling instructions on the device itself. Car enthusiasts should take a closer look at such high-quality products as the most advanced spark plugs for motorsport.

This is especially true for fans of “aggressive” driving. And a car with a V-shaped and forced engine type needs platinum or iridium. They are, of course, expensive, but they are reliable and durable.

If you can't afford platinum spark plugs, a silver center electrode is a good option.

Replace spark plugs

An inexperienced driver should not change them himself. This type of work requires care and maximum accuracy. An important point is to make the correct tightening when installing spark plugs, therefore it is better to entrust this work to professionals, this is a guarantee of an excellent result.

Source: http://remontpeugeot.ru/remont-pezho-svoimi-rukami/kak-proverit-svechi-zazhiganiya-svoimi-rukami.html