How to change spark plug: cold or hot
Every car needs a spark plug replacement from time to time. There is nothing complicated in this procedure, however, there are subtleties and rules. Before change spark plugs, you need to know how and when to do it, as well as what tools.
This information will be useful not only for novice motorists, but also for more experienced drivers. After all, even experts do not have an unequivocal answer about the resource of candles, there are still controversial points and questions regarding the features of their replacement.
Read in this article
A little materiel
Candle ignition is located (screwed) into the candle well, which is located (made) in the cylinder block. With one end (contact terminal), which, depending on the model of the car, can protrude above the block or remain inside the well, the candle is connected to high-voltage ignition wires. The other end of the spark plug (electrodes) is located in the combustion chamber itself. During engine operation, a spark occurs on the electrodes, which ignites the fuel mixture in the cylinder.
By the way, less soot is formed on platinum or iridium contacts. They are usually coated with a thin layer of these noble metals, but sometimes the central electrode is made entirely of platinum or iridium. On ordinary candles, carbon deposits can and should be cleaned off from time to time with a metal brush or sandpaper, but it is not recommended to clean iridium and platinum candles.
When change spark plugs: main features
Read:
The fact that the spark plugs are to be replaced, or it is necessary, at least, to check them, is signaled by the car itself. The symptoms are:
- Engine when working, it starts to “troit”. Especially at idle. In addition, there may be a drop in traction, power;
- Fuel consumption increases;
- Increases the amount of carbon monoxide (CO) in the exhaust. The exhaust itself turns black;
- Detonation appears;
- The engine is difficult to start. The starter can turn, but the engine will not start.
For this reason, if the mileage of the candle is less than 10-15 thousand kilometers, then, most likely, only cleaning and adjusting the gap can be dispensed with. These procedures for prevention are recommended to be carried out twice a year: before summer and before winter. Of course, if the annual mileage does not exceed 10-15 thousand kilometers. It is also important to understand that the life of spark plugs is greatly influenced by fuel quality and driving style.
How to replace or check candles yourself
How to choose and change spark plugs, our correspondents found out. GuberniaTV. YouTube channel of the media holding.
The procedure for unscrewing and installing candles will be the same both during replacement and during inspection or maintenance. To perform this operation, you will need a candle key. Sometimes socket wrenches with a special candle head are also used.
Of course, beginners are immediately interested in whether it is possible to change candles on a hot engine. It is important to do this on a cold engine. It is still possible to unscrew the candle “hot”, but when tightening, the thread can be damaged, which will be fraught not only with engine malfunctions due to incorrect or leaky installation of the candle, but also with repair of the candle well.
So, the procedure is:
- mute engine and let it cool down.
- Clean the surface of the block from dust and other debris so that it does not get into the candle wells.
- Disconnect high voltage wires from spark plugs. To do this, just pull on the cap. This should be done carefully, slightly swaying from side to side.
- Unscrew the spark plugs. In this case, it is best to remember where which of them was, so as not to be confused if the kit was not replaced.
- Inspect the candles, clean if preventive maintenance is carried out.
- Screw the cleaned or new (if completely replaced) spark plugs into the spark plug wells.
If the candle goes “tight”, then distortion is possible when screwing in. It is necessary to carefully unscrew the candle, set the element evenly and try again, and by hand. When candle will be screwed in by hand, then tighten with a wrench with the right moment, but carefully, without effort.
Change spark plugs on a cold or hot engine.
Selection of spark plugs for replacement
Read:
Before as change spark plugs, you should find out which ones are suitable for the car being serviced. This may be indicated in the manual. In addition, you can simply take the twisted old candle and show it to the seller in order to buy exactly the same one with a selection from the catalog.
It is also useful to know that candles come in several types, and also have different physical sizes. Allocate:
- ordinary candles;
- platinum (iridium) spark plugs;
They also differ in the number of electrodes:
- two-electrode;
- multi-electrode (three or four electrodes);
This moment destabilizes the engine. The higher the glow number, the less the candle will heat up. According to its size, candles are divided into “cold” and “hot”, they are used depending on the type of internal combustion engine, operating features, etc.
What happens if you do not change and clean the spark plugs
In addition to glow ignition with faulty candles, as mentioned above, engine tripping may occur, detonation occurs in the combustion chambers.
Detonation produces a shock wave. Its strength depends on how much of the fuel-air mixture detonated. Also, the engine power drops significantly, fuel overrun occurs.
But the main problem is that engine parts experience additional thermal and mechanical loads. All this reduces the service life of not only candles, but also the power unit. In addition, the cylinder head gasket may burn out, the edges of pistons, valves, etc. can burn.
Conclusion
As you can see, in addition to what you need to know, change spark plugs on a cold or hot engine, it is also necessary to be able to correctly select the indicated elements and replace them in a timely manner, taking into account the limited resource.
In other words, in order to increase the engine life before overhaul, the driver must take into account and understand what signs indicate the need to check the candles, how to choose the right spark plug
There is nothing complicated in this procedure, however, there are subtleties and rules. Before changing candles, you need to know how and when to do it, as well as with what tools.
This information will be useful not only for novice motorists, but also for more experienced drivers. After all, even experts do not have an unequivocal answer about the resource of candles, there are still controversial points and questions regarding the features of their replacement.
Read in this article
A little materiel
The spark plug is located (screwed) into the candle well, which is located (made) in. With one end (contact terminal), which, depending on the model of the car, can protrude above the block or remain inside the well, the candle is connected to. The other end of the spark plug (electrodes) is located in the combustion chamber itself. During engine operation, a spark occurs on the electrodes, which ignites the fuel mixture in the cylinder.
The candle has one central electrode and one or more side electrodes. There must be a gap of a certain size between the central and side electrodes so that the spark is constant and has sufficient power. During operation, it forms on the electrodes (but not on all candles), which interferes with the passage of the discharge. In addition, the electrodes themselves also have their own resource.
By the way, less soot is formed on the contacts. They are usually coated with a thin layer of these noble metals, but sometimes the central electrode is made entirely of platinum or iridium. On ordinary candles, carbon deposits can and should be cleaned off from time to time with a metal brush or sandpaper, but it is not recommended to clean iridium and platinum candles.
When to change candles: main signs
The fact that the spark plugs are to be replaced, or it is necessary, at least, to check them, is signaled by the car itself. The symptoms are:
- The engine starts when running. Especially at idle. In addition, it can be observed;
- Fuel consumption increases;
- Increases the amount of carbon monoxide (CO) in the exhaust. The exhaust itself turns black;
- appears;
- The engine is difficult to start. .
These symptoms can appear either singly or in combination. However, they do not always indicate that you need to put new candles. The resource of these parts is from 15 to 30 and even 50 thousand kilometers (depending on the manufacturer, type of candle).
For this reason, if the mileage of the candle is less than 10-15 thousand kilometers, then, most likely, only cleaning and adjusting the gap can be dispensed with. These procedures for prevention are recommended to be carried out twice a year: before summer and before winter. Of course, if the annual mileage does not exceed 10-15 thousand kilometers. It is also important to understand that fuel quality and driving style have a big impact.
How to replace or check candles yourself
The procedure for unscrewing and installing candles will be the same both during replacement and during inspection or maintenance. To perform this operation, you will need a candle key. Sometimes socket wrenches with a special candle head are also used.
Of course, beginners are immediately interested in whether it is possible to change candles on a hot engine. It is important to do this on a cold engine. It is still possible to unscrew the candle “hot”, but when tightening, the thread can be damaged, which will be fraught not only with engine malfunctions due to incorrect or leaky installation of the candle, but also with repair of the candle well.
So, the procedure is:
- Stop the engine and let it cool down.
- Clean the surface of the block from dust and other debris so that it does not get into the candle wells.
- Disconnect high voltage wires from spark plugs. To do this, just pull on the cap. This should be done carefully, slightly swaying from side to side.
- Unscrew the spark plugs. In this case, it is best to remember where which of them was, so as not to be confused if the kit was not replaced.
- Inspect the candles, clean if preventive maintenance is carried out.
- Screw the cleaned or new (if completely replaced) spark plugs into the spark plug wells.
Before screwing in, it is also worth wiping the threads of the candles with a dry, clean cloth. There is no need to lubricate with oil, otherwise the thread will stick while the engine is running. It is highly recommended not to apply excessive force so as not to damage the threads in the wells. That's the whole procedure.
If the candle goes “tight”, then distortion is possible when screwing in. It is necessary to carefully unscrew the candle, set the element evenly and try again, and by hand. When the candle is screwed in by hand, then tighten with a wrench with the right moment, but carefully, without effort.
Selection of spark plugs for replacement
Before you change spark plugs, you should find out. This may be indicated in the manual. In addition, you can simply take the twisted old candle and show it to the seller in order to buy exactly the same one with a selection from the catalog.
It is also useful to know that candles come in several types, and also have different physical sizes. Allocate:
- ordinary candles;
- platinum (iridium) spark plugs;
They also differ in the number of electrodes:
- two-electrode;
- multi-electrode (three or four electrodes);
In addition, each candle is marked with a glow number. This characteristic corresponds to the time for which it is reached when the fuel-air mixture ignites not from a spark, but from the temperature of the candle itself or the fallen particles of soot.
This moment destabilizes the engine. The higher the glow number, the less the candle will heat up. According to its size, candles are divided into “cold” and “hot”, they are used depending on the type of internal combustion engine, operating features, etc.
What happens if you do not change and clean the spark plugs
In addition to glow ignition with faulty candles, as mentioned above, engine tripping may occur, detonation occurs in the combustion chambers.
Detonation produces a shock wave. Its strength depends on how much of the fuel-air mixture detonated. Also, the engine power drops significantly, fuel overrun occurs.
But the main problem is that engine parts experience additional thermal and mechanical loads. All this reduces the service life of not only candles, but also the power unit. In addition, the edges of the pistons may burn, etc.
Conclusion
As you can see, in addition to what you need to know, change the candles on a cold or hot engine, you must also be able to correctly select the indicated elements and replace them in a timely manner, taking into account the limited resource.
Do-it-yourself tuning and upgrading of spark plugs to improve fuel efficiency and other characteristics of internal combustion engines. How to make your own candles. 
Ignition: on a cool or hot engine
Every car needs a spark plug change from time to time. There is nothing complicated in this procedure, but there are subtleties and rules. Before changing candles, you need to know how and when to do it, as well as with what tools.
This information will be useful not only for novice car owners, but also for more experienced drivers. After all, even professionals do not have a specific answer about the resource of candles, there are still ambiguous points and questions regarding the features of their replacement.
Read in this article
A little materiel
The spark plug is placed (screwed) into the candle well, which is located (made) in the cylinder block. With one end (contact terminal), which, depending on the model of the car, can protrude above the block or remain inside the well, the candle is connected to high-voltage ignition wires. The other end of the spark plug (electrodes) is located in the combustion chamber itself. A spark appears on the electrodes during engine operation, which ignites the fuel mixture in the cylinder.
By the way, less soot appears on platinum or iridium contacts. They are usually coated with a thin layer of these noble metals, but sometimes the center electrode is made of one hundred percent platinum or iridium. On ordinary candles, carbon deposits can and should be cleaned off with an iron brush or sandpaper from time to time, but it is not recommended to clean iridium and platinum candles.
Do-it-yourself tuning and upgrading of spark plugs to improve fuel efficiency and other features of internal combustion engines. How to make your own candles.
When to change candles: main signs
The car itself says that the spark plugs are to be replaced, or at least they need to be checked. The symptoms are:
- Engine when working, it starts to “troit”. Especially at idle. In addition, there may be a drop in traction, power;
- Fuel consumption is growing;
- Increases the amount of carbon monoxide (CO) in the exhaust. The ejection itself becomes black;
- Detonation occurs;
- Engine starting makes it difficult. The starter can turn, but the engine will not start.
For this reason, if the mileage of the candle is less than 10-15 thousand km, then, most likely, it is possible to get by with just cleaning and adjusting the gap. These procedures for prevention are recommended to be carried out twice a year: before summer and before winter. Obviously, if the annual mileage does not exceed 10-15 thousand km. It is also important to realize that the quality of fuel and driving style have a huge impact on the life of spark plugs.
How to replace or check candles yourself
Read
The procedure for unscrewing and installing candles will be similar both during replacement and during inspection or prevention. To perform this operation, you will need a candle key. From time to time, socket wrenches with a special candle head are also used.
Naturally, newcomers are immediately interested in whether it is possible to change candles on a hot engine. It is important to do this on a cold engine. You can still turn the candle hot, but when twisting, you can destroy the thread, which will be fraught not only with engine malfunctions due to incorrect or leaky installation of the candle, but also with the repair of the candle well.
How to choose and change candles, our correspondents found out. GuberniaTV is the YouTube channel of the media holding.
Replacement candles. Right!
spin candle ignition is correct. Strong tightening leads to damage, clay insulator is sufficient.
So, the procedure is:
- Stop the engine and let it cool down.
- Clean the surface of the block from dust and other debris so that it does not get into the candle wells.
- Disconnect the high voltage wires from the spark plugs. To do this, just pull on the cap. This must be done carefully, slightly swaying from side to side.
- Unscrew the spark plugs. With all this, it is best to clarify where which of them was, so as not to confuse if the kit was not replaced.
- Inspect the candles, clean if preventive maintenance is carried out.
- Screw the cleaned or new (with a complete replacement) candles into the candle wells.
If candle goes "tight", then a skew is likely when screwing in. It is necessary to carefully unscrew the candle, set the element evenly and try again, while by hand. When the candle is screwed in by hand, further tighten with a key with the required torque, but carefully, without difficulty.
Selection of spark plugs for replacement
Before as change spark plugs ignition, it is worth finding out which ones are specifically suitable for the car being serviced. This may be indicated in the manual. In addition, you can simply take an unscrewed old candle and show it to a merchant in order to purchase exactly the same one with a selection from the catalog.
It is also useful to know that candles come in several types, and also have different physical sizes. Allocate:
- ordinary candles;
- platinum (iridium) spark plugs;
They also differ in the number of electrodes:
- two-electrode;
- multi-electrode (three or four electrodes);
This moment destabilizes the operation of the motor. The higher the glow number, the less the candle will heat up. According to its size, candles are divided into “cold” and “hot”, they are used depending on the type of internal combustion engine, operating features, etc.
What happens if you do not change and clean the spark plugs
In addition to glow ignition with faulty candles, as mentioned above, engine tripping may occur, detonation occurs in the combustion chambers.
Detonation produces a shock wave. Its strength depends on how much specific air-fuel mixture detonated. Also, the power of the engine drops significantly, there is an excessive consumption of fuel.
But the most basic problem is that the engine parts experience additional thermal and mechanical loads. All this reduces the service life of not only the candles, but also the unit. In addition, the cylinder head gasket may burn out, the edges of the pistons, valves, etc. can burn.
Conclusion
Read
As you can see, in addition to what you need to know, to change the candles on a cool or hot engine, you also need to be able to correctly select the indicated elements and replace them in time, taking into account the limited resource.
In other words, in order to increase the engine resource before overhaul, the driver must take into account and be aware of what signs indicate the need to check the candles, how to choose the right spark plugs for the make and model of the car, how to check the spark plugs for a spark and change these elements if necessary.
Tuning and modernization spark plugs do-it-yourself to improve fuel efficiency and other features of the internal combustion engine. How to make your own candles.
