How often should the spark plugs be replaced on a Changan CS55?
2 Answers
Changan CS55 spark plugs should be replaced every 20,000 kilometers. How to determine if spark plugs are damaged: Remove the spark plugs and observe their condition based on the following appearance colors. Normal spark plugs will have insulator skirts and electrodes that appear gray-white, gray-yellow, or light brown. Properly functioning spark plugs will have insulator skirts that are reddish-brown, with electrode gaps between 0.8-0.9mm and no signs of electrode burning. If the spark plugs are contaminated with oil or deposits but not actually damaged, they can continue to be used after cleaning off the oil and deposits. If the spark plugs are severely damaged, showing signs like blistering at the top, black streaks, cracks, or melted electrodes, the cause of the damage should be identified. After troubleshooting, replace with new spark plugs. Additionally, if the spark plugs appear black as if smoked, it indicates incorrect heat range selection for the spark plugs, a rich fuel mixture, or oil leakage.
I've driven a Changan CS55 for five years and replaced the spark plugs three times. The factory-installed nickel alloy spark plugs do have a shorter lifespan - I started experiencing idle vibration after just over 20,000 km of stop-and-go city driving. While the maintenance manual recommends replacement at 30,000 km, my actual experience shows they need inspection around 25,000 km, and early replacement if there's significant carbon buildup. Once I delayed replacement until 31,000 km, which resulted in burning out an ignition coil, costing me several hundred yuan extra. I've since switched to iridium spark plugs that last up to 60,000 km. Though more expensive, they're worry-free. Remember to have the mechanic apply some dielectric grease during installation - otherwise electrical leakage could render the replacement pointless.
