What are the causes of spark plug damage?
2 Answers
The causes of spark plug damage are: 1. Excessive carbon deposit accumulation on the spark plug; 2. Cracked spark plug ceramic insulator; 3. Overheating of the spark plug; 4. Electrode erosion. The function of a spark plug is: to introduce the high voltage electricity generated by the ignition coil into the engine cylinder, generating a spark between the spark plug electrode gap to ignite the air-fuel mixture, thereby enabling the engine to operate. The effects of a damaged car spark plug include: 1. Reduced power, decreased shunt resistance, unstable engine operation, resulting in lack of power when stepping on the accelerator; 2. Significant car shaking during idle at a stop; 3. Causing excessive exhaust emissions and increased fuel consumption; 4. Abnormal ignition.
Reasons for spark plug damage are something I've seen a lot in my years of driving, mainly normal wear and tear. Over time, the electrodes of spark plugs wear down and become thinner, affecting ignition. Carbon buildup is also very common, especially in cars that frequently take short trips where the engine doesn't fully warm up, leading to incomplete fuel combustion and carbon deposits accumulating on the spark plugs, preventing the electrodes from firing properly. Oil contamination is another factor; if the engine seals are faulty, engine oil or coolant can leak into the combustion chamber, coating the spark plugs and corroding the electrodes or causing short circuits. Improper gap adjustment can also lead to damage—too large a gap results in insufficient ignition pressure, while too small a gap is prone to clogging by carbon deposits, affecting engine startup and smooth operation. Prevention involves regular inspection and replacement, following the vehicle's manual recommendations, typically every 20,000 to 50,000 kilometers, to ensure efficient engine operation, fuel economy, and environmental friendliness.
