How to Check if Spark Plugs are Damaged?

[SophiaFitz]

Spark plugs exhibit the following symptoms when they may be faulty: Difficulty in starting the car, both cold and warm starts are challenging, often requiring multiple attempts. Engine shaking occurs while driving. Lack of power during driving, noticeably weaker than usual. Increased fuel consumption. Stalling issues. Failed exhaust emissions. Common causes and diagnosis of spark plug failures: Several situations can cause spark plugs to stop working: Incorrect spark plug gap adjustment. A gap too small limits the contact area between the spark and the air-fuel mixture and suppresses flame kernel growth due to the electrode's quenching effect, resulting in weak sparks and difficulty igniting the mixture. A gap too large may prevent the ignition system from providing sufficient voltage to create a spark between the electrodes. Cracked spark plug skirt. High-voltage current leaks through the crack, preventing sparking at the electrodes. Electrode carbon buildup, causing the center electrode to leak current to the surroundings instead of sparking to the side electrode. Excessive carbon deposits can short-circuit the spark plug, preventing it from sparking and damaging the insulator. Damaged electrodes. Prolonged electrical erosion from sparks or chemical corrosion from combustion gases can cause electrodes to break off, preventing sparking. Low insulation resistance of the spark plug. This reduces the ignition voltage applied to the spark gap, weakening the spark or completely disabling ignition. Short circuit in high-voltage wires. If the ignition coil-to-distributor high-voltage wire leaks, the entire engine won't start. If the distributor-to-spark plug wire leaks, one cylinder's spark plug won't spark. Burnt platinum contacts. This prevents all spark plugs from sparking, making the engine unable to start or run normally. Faulty spark plugs need timely replacement. Replacement steps are as follows: Open the hood, remove the engine's plastic cover, and detach 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, checking for and cleaning any external debris like leaves or dust. Insert the new spark plug into the hole, hand-tighten it a few turns, then use the socket to tighten it fully. Reinstall the high-voltage wires in the firing order and replace the cover. Spark plug replacement interval: Normally replaced every 40,000-60,000 km under proper maintenance, but this varies by brand and engine. Refer to the owner's manual for specific recommendations.