Questions tagged [sparkplugs]

spark plugs are used to ignite the fuel-air mixture in a petrol/gasoline engine.

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32 votes
11 answers
61k views

Spark plug broke off in engine - can I drive the car?

I own a 2004 Volvo XC90 T6 2.9L AWD with 6 cyl. (Twin turbo, with catalytic converter.) While changing the spark plugs, one broke-off (all the ceramic below the threads and possibly the metal finger ...
VolvoXC90_T6's user avatar
30 votes
9 answers
441k views

What is the difference between normal, platinum, iridium plugs?

What is the difference (besides price) between normal, platinum, and iridium spark plugs?
krumpelstiltskin's user avatar
25 votes
7 answers
12k views

How do cars drive through deep water as shown on many videos online?

I have read many warnings about driving a car through deep water. Some problems that this can cause is destroy the catalytic converter and in petrol engines water can cause damage to spark plugs. And ...
Linux_user0987's user avatar
23 votes
11 answers
337k views

What happens if a single spark plug unexpectedly goes down in a multi-cylinder engine?

AFAIK vehicle manuals say owner must replace spark plugs every N miles. Suppose he fails to do so and a single spark plug unexpectedly dies in an engine with multiple cylinders right in a freeway. ...
sharptooth's user avatar
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23 votes
2 answers
18k views

How do I know when to change my spark plug

I ride a Piaggio scooter with a single cylinder engine. Recently I broke down and the engine wouldn't restart. It turned out the spark plug was stuffed. How can I ensure that doesn't happen again?
WOPR's user avatar
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16 votes
3 answers
6k views

Why one should not leave fingerprints on bulbs and plugs?

I have read that one should not leave greasy fingerprints on their spark plugs or on their light bulbs. Why is this a thing? On what else one should not leave fingerprints? How does one avoid leaving ...
Baran Zadeoglu's user avatar
16 votes
2 answers
123k views

How much does spark plug gap affect fuel efficiency?

I've read conflicting reports regarding how plug gap can affect fuel efficiency. For example, I've read that too small a gap won't cause a clean burn, or that too large a gap can cause misfires due ...
Robert S. Barnes's user avatar
13 votes
5 answers
7k views

How to properly change out spark plugs?

I am looking into how to change out my spark plugs on my 4 cylinder 2005 Mazda 3. All I know to do is: 1: Open each cylinder. 2: Use a spark plug socket (with the rubber insert) to remove the old ...
tarheel's user avatar
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12 votes
2 answers
4k views

Is there a measurable benefit to replacing spark plug wires?

My 92 Civic has very old spark plug wires, probably original, but their resistance is in-spec (under 20k ohms), they have no external damage, and the vehicle has no misfire or other symptoms ...
R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
5k views

Do I really have to pull the engine to remove broken spark plugs?

I broke 2 spark plugs in my Buick lesabre 3800. The plug is broken at the top of the nut. The porcelain is all broken off in the socket. Took it to a mechanic and was told he would have to take the ...
Byron 's user avatar
  • 199
10 votes
5 answers
3k views

Can I use a 15lbs torque wrench for 13lbs spark plug job

My civic has 100,250 miles and the service came up for the spark plugs. B124, I am reading and it says after replacing the plugs to torque it to 13 Lbs. The only torque wrench I have is minimum 15 LBS....
RobNav's user avatar
  • 133
10 votes
2 answers
4k views

Impact wrench on spark plugs?

'07 Cobalt LS, vanilla 2.2 I may have to remove the (probably 10-year-old) spark plugs, which I suspect may be stuck. If so, I'm wondering if it would be prudent to hit them with an impact wrench ...
George's user avatar
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10 votes
1 answer
8k views

Where do spark plugs get their electricity?

Where is the electric charge coming from and does it have a large amount of electric charge to it?
LostPecti's user avatar
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10 votes
1 answer
5k views

Ford F150 broken spark plug removal

I have a friend that has a 2003 F150 V8 3 valve V8 motor, when he went to change the spark plugs some of them broke off. How do you remove the part that is still in the head? Here is what a new one ...
Moab's user avatar
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10 votes
3 answers
61k views

How to diagnose the cause of no power reaching the spark plugs when power reaches everything else, after checking fuses?

I've been trying to get my long-suffering Toyota RAV4 first generation (1998) to start after numerous different problems, the latest of which I've narrowed to the spark plugs not firing seemingly due ...
user56reinstatemonica8's user avatar
10 votes
4 answers
8k views

Estimate for head removal / reinstall

In changing the spark plugs in my 2000 Ford Mustang GT (4.6L), I sheared one of them (number 3) The ceramic is totally removed, as is the hex nut. The threaded portion as well as the ground electrode ...
Christopher Lates's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
2k views

Why are the spark plugs from the same 2 cylinders corroding faster than the others?

On my engine ('99, 360 v8 Magnum), I replaced the spark plugs less than 15k miles ago, because of misfires in cylinders 2 and 8. Those two plugs were badly corroded. Today I had to replace them again, ...
J. Musser's user avatar
  • 713
9 votes
2 answers
16k views

What can I do with an Inline Spark Tester?

Due to my recent problem with weakly firing plugs, I'm looking at inline spark testers. I've seen three basic types: The simple flashing one which goes in between the wire and plug with the plug in ...
Robert S. Barnes's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
305 views

Firing a Coil on Plug

I was wondering if there is a simple way of firing a coil on plug outside of the car. The coil in question is just a two wire coil on plug and I don't know if its possible to just hook up a 12V ...
SWard's user avatar
  • 193
9 votes
2 answers
11k views

Follow up question on spark plug heat range

@vini_i gave a great answer to my previous question here (What is spark plug heat range) Part of that answer is that the reason for spark plugs having different heat ranges is that if it runs to ...
cdunn's user avatar
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8 votes
7 answers
4k views

Help with spark plug stuck upside down in well

I am installing new spark plugs in my 2013 Chevy Cruze and I dropped a spark plug in the well upside down. I tried to get it out with 8" needle noose pliers but it will not budge. Any help would be ...
Carl Peyton's user avatar
8 votes
4 answers
84k views

What is the proper way to extract a broken sparkplug?

When dealing with a car with aluminum head(s), what is the proper way to extract a broken sparkplug?
NoCarrier's user avatar
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8 votes
4 answers
11k views

2000 Honda Civic Won't Start after Replacing spark Plugs

My 2000 honda civic ex 4-dr sedan seemed like it was misfiring. I decided to check the spark plugs to see if that was the issue. I replaced the spark plugs. The car would turn over however the ...
Alex's user avatar
  • 81
8 votes
2 answers
5k views

What Could Cause Flash Over / Arcing to Reappear on New Plugs?

I had been having some hesitation problems on my 98 Mazda 626 which after a great deal of research seemed to be solved by replacing the plugs: As you can see, there seems to be signs of flash over / ...
Robert S. Barnes's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
2k views

Two-stroke dirt bike piston running into spark plug

Recently, I submitted a post on here regarding a broken ground electrode on the spark plug of my 2005 Suzuki RM125: Bottom piece of spark plug broke off in motorcycle engine Well, I found out what ...
hgwhittle's user avatar
  • 519
8 votes
1 answer
8k views

How to check if spark plugs are firing? Coil-on plugs

While trying to diagnose a tricky car not starting problem I was asked to check if the spark plugs were firing at all. I've found plenty of resources on inspecting the condition of spark plugs after ...
user56reinstatemonica8's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
3k views

High revs after changing spark plugs

I have an '07 Chrysler Town & Country. Check Engine Light came on 2 weeks ago, ran the diagnostics : Misfire in cylinder 3. So we changed the spark plug in that cylinder to see if that was the ...
Melissa Cooley Lake's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
2k views

How long would pouring a little oil into a spark plug well take to stop a car starting?

I realise this is a strange looking question! I'm in a country where many local mechanics unfortunately have a bad reputation for creating small problems while fixing other problems in order to get ...
user56reinstatemonica8's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
3k views

What do i need to know when replacing a valve cover gasket

I have an oil leak from a cracked valve cover gasket that i want to replace myself. I bought the gasket nearly 6 months ago and i am apprehensive at doing it myself without sort of feed back as to ...
russjman's user avatar
  • 241
7 votes
4 answers
1k views

Can a altered curve of spark plug finger break the engine?

I own a quite old motorcycle - Aprilia 125 Pegaso and recently it stopped working, I figured out it could be the spark plug so I cleaned it and it started throwing sparks again but stopped working ...
David Svihura's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
1k views

Spark plug working fine in free air, but hard miss in engine

This is mostly a curiosity question as replacing the spark plugs solved the problem. I have a mercury 40HP outboard two stroke motor. It is a twin cylinder and after running it out of gas it began to ...
Brydon Gibson's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
2k views

What is spark plug heat range

I was watching a show and their project was adding a bolt on turbo kit. In the process they mentioned that they needed a colder spark plug. What does a hot or cold spark plug mean? What changes ...
cdunn's user avatar
  • 9,296
7 votes
2 answers
62k views

Spark plug gaps - manufacturer or shop manual recomendation?

So I have a 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4.0L V6 OHV Engine and I recently replaced the spark plugs. The thing is, the original recommended spark plugs have a gap of 0.52-0.56, which is what is recommended in ...
Paul's user avatar
  • 509
7 votes
1 answer
2k views

When I remove a spark plug is it bad news if dirt or grime falls into the engine

Despite my best effort to clean up a corroded spark plug and blowing the area with compressed air before removing would it be bad news if dirt or grime falls into the engine in the process of removing ...
Confused's user avatar
  • 203
7 votes
1 answer
4k views

What is the effect of different spark plug electrode tip diameters?

When choosing spark plugs one has a lot of options. One of the differences is the diameter of the electrode tip - some spark plugs have a large flat tip, and newer models often have a really thin tip. ...
I have no idea what I'm doing's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
77k views

What does a healthy spark plug look like?

The spark plug pictured here: Has some black carbon on the underside of the ground electrode and has black carbon on the "base" area below the centre electrode (not pictured). Is this normal and ...
jonathanbell's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
41k views

What do you do with dielectric grease on spark plugs?

There seems to be a lot of conflicting answers on what you're supposed to do with dielectric grease. The instructions on the grease I bought says to squeeze it into the boot, but everywhere I've read ...
Kevin Evans's user avatar
  • 1,186
7 votes
5 answers
2k views

Engine shakes, from bad oil change

I got an oil change awhile back, I notice my car idling a little more. Where I park for work it was hard to tell what the oil leak was coming from on the ground. I don't know much, but I popped my ...
Kieran's user avatar
  • 71
6 votes
4 answers
5k views

Engine start is OK but dies when applying throttle

Triumph Tiger 900 (1994) The engine starts fine and idles with choke. When I reduce choke and try throttle it just dies. Regardless of choke position, when I throttle, the engine dies. Thus, I cannot ...
Hpoonis's user avatar
  • 61
6 votes
2 answers
14k views

Rough idle + slow acceleration + engine dying after spark plug change

I recently changed the spark plugs and wires on my 2002 Ford Focus SE with Zetec (DOHC) engine. I used NGK TR5IX (7397-4PK) Iridium IX plugs and Motorcraft wires. When I received the plugs, they were ...
J. Taylor's user avatar
  • 433
6 votes
3 answers
22k views

Will Driving 100 Miles With a Misfire Damage My Car?

Background: I have a 2002 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab slt with 4.7L Magnum V8. My check engine light came on when I was at work. I then drove 20 miles home to my house, pulled out my scan tool and ...
Joel's user avatar
  • 193
6 votes
3 answers
5k views

Black Spark Plugs that Clean Themselves

Vehicle: 2002 Mazda Protégé LX, 2.0L engine, automatic transmission, 240,000 km Recent Work: Thermostat replacement Symptoms: Owner reported that the car shook and stalled on startup. She parked ...
tlhIngan's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
4k views

What causes pink spark plugs?

Vehicle: 2000 Ford Windstar, 3.8L V6 engine, automatic transmission, 166,000 km, recently purchased, was brought to me for some torubleshooting and minor repairs Symptoms: Occasional hesitation ...
tlhIngan's user avatar
  • 12.2k
6 votes
2 answers
6k views

What would cause differences in spark plug wear on a '97FordRanger?

The mileage on these plugs is unknown, as this is a used vehicle w/o a complete service record. All 3 plugs on the driver side (4,5,6) were almost completely eroded. The 3 on the passenger side (1,2,...
user25265's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
17k views

What kind of spark plug should I choose for LPG conversion?

I recently had an LPG system installed in my Golf MK4 and now the car has some hesitation when accelerating. The mechanic who installed the LPG System told me that I need to change my current (cheap, ...
edisonmecaj's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
119k views

How to diagnose a bad spark plug?

What I always did up to now to check if my spark plug was doing fire : Remove it. Keep it plugged into the spark plug cable. Ground it on the frame. Start and check if sparks happen. If they are blue,...
Jean-François Savard's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
86 views

2008 Grand Prix GPX

What spark plug should I be using? I did my own tune up and the guy at auto advance told me to get some Bosch spark plugs for my car but then I notice less power. A mechanic told me I shouldn't have ...
08GPGXP's user avatar
  • 61
6 votes
1 answer
635 views

Socket wrench turns loose on top of spark plug

I'm trying to replace the spark plugs of my 2006 Prius, but the deep well 5/8 socket attached to a 2 in extender just turns loose, as if it does not fit in the top of the spark plug. I tried also 3/4 ...
Gabriel Diego's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
12k views

Lack of power when cold under load

EDIT 8: Final update, I think. Using an OBD scan tool, I saw that the fuel trims were still very low to adjust for the vacuum leak. I reset the ECU and the trims went back to around 0, and the engine ...
Spivonious's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
5k views

No spark on my new motorcycle

I recently purchased an 81 Suzuki GS450L, my very first bike. I'm not getting a spark. When it dies, it does so silently. No backfire, sputtering, etc. My first thought was that it had aftermarket ...
Tim Brigham's user avatar

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