Emergency handling methods for automotive spark plug faults

The presence of oily deposits on the spark plug may indicate the entry of lubricating oil, and the top of the insulator may be broken due to low gasoline grade. When maintaining a car, attention should be paid to the condition of the spark plug. Spark plugs with excellent performance can improve the vehicle's power performance. Normally, the service life of spark plugs is 15000 kilometers, and the service life of long-term spark plugs does not exceed 30000 kilometers. However, many car owners often encounter problems with their spark plugs that do not reach their normal service life.

In fact, the working temperature of spark plugs is quite high. When the engine is running normally, the temperature of the spark plug insulator skirt is generally maintained between 500 and 600 degrees Celsius. High or low temperatures have a negative impact on spark plugs. When the temperature of the spark plug is too low, the insulation on the spark plug is prone to carbon buildup, ultimately causing leakage and resulting in misfire. If the working temperature of the spark plug is too high, it can easily cause premature ignition and engine detonation. At Chery Automobile Training Camp, the staff of the specialty store summarized the common faults that occur with spark plugs into two types. One is severe erosion of the spark plug, and the other is sediment on the spark plug.

Spark plug erosion

When the car owner discovers a scar or damage on the top of the spark plug, or melting or burning of the electrode, it indicates that the spark plug has been damaged. At this time, the spark plug should be replaced. During the replacement process, the owner can check for signs of spark plug erosion and changes in color.

Symptom 1: The electrode melts and the insulator turns white

Diagnosis: This phenomenon indicates that the temperature in the combustion chamber is too high. This may be due to excessive carbon accumulation in the combustion chamber, resulting in too small valve clearance, further causing overheating of the exhaust valve or poor operation of the cooling device. When the spark plug is not tightened according to the specified torque, it can also cause the electrode to melt and the insulator to appear white.

Symptom 2: The electrode becomes round and the insulator has scars

Diagnosis: This indicates early ignition of the engine, which may be caused by premature ignition time, low octane value of gasoline, or high spark plug calorific value.

Symptom 3: Broken top of insulator

Diagnosis: Generally speaking, detonation combustion is the main cause of insulation rupture. Early ignition time, low octane number of gasoline, and high temperature in the combustion chamber can all lead to engine detonation and combustion.

Symptom 4: Gray black stripes on the top of the insulator

Diagnosis: The appearance of this stripe indicates that the spark plug has leaked air, and the owner needs to unconditionally replace it with a new one

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