Can Spark Plugs Cause Increased Fuel Consumption?
1 Answers
Damaged spark plugs can lead to increased fuel consumption and should be replaced promptly. Methods to determine if a spark plug is damaged: Remove the spark plug and observe its appearance. The condition of the spark plug can be judged based on its color. A normal spark plug's insulator skirt and electrodes should appear gray-white, gray-yellow, or light brown. A properly functioning spark plug has a reddish-brown insulator skirt, with an electrode gap between 0.8-0.9mm and no signs of electrode burn. If the spark plug is covered in oil or deposits but is not damaged, it can continue to be used after cleaning off the oil and deposits. If the spark plug is severely damaged, with signs such as blistering, black streaks, cracks, or melted electrodes, the cause of the damage should be identified. After troubleshooting, replace the spark plug with a new one. Additionally, if the spark plug appears black as if smoked, it indicates the wrong heat range was selected or the air-fuel mixture is too rich, with oil seeping up. Steps to replace spark plugs: Open the engine hood and remove the plastic engine cover. Disconnect the high-voltage wires, marking each cylinder's position to avoid confusion. Use a spark plug socket to remove the spark plugs one by one. While removing them, check for external debris like leaves or dust and ensure the area is clean. Place the new spark plug into the spark plug hole, hand-tighten it a few turns, and then use the socket to tighten it further. Reinstall the high-voltage wires in the correct firing order and reattach the cover.