What are the causes of spark plug damage?
2 Answers
The causes of spark plug damage are: 1. Long-term failure to clean carbon deposits; 2. Neglecting the cleanliness of the spark plug's exterior; 3. Over-tightening during spark plug installation; 4. Exceeding the recommended service life of the spark plug. Methods for spark plug maintenance include: 1. Using compressed air or a fine soft tube to blow away dust and impurities around the spark plug; 2. Ensuring the engine is cold before removing the spark plug, and never performing installation or removal while the engine is running; 3. Protecting the spark plug hole after removal to prevent debris or dust from entering the cylinder; 4. Using the correct tools for removal, ensuring the wrench fits properly and is operated straight and true to avoid damaging the insulating ceramic body.
There are many reasons for spark plug damage. From my experience in car repairs, the most common issue is electrode wear. After a few years of use, the electrodes thin out and ignition fails. Next is carbon buildup; using low-quality fuel or an improperly tuned engine can cause oil carbon to clog the spark plug holes. Oil leakage is also problematic, as oil seeping into the combustion chamber contaminates the electrode surface, hindering normal ignition. Additionally, engine overheating can melt the ceramic part of the spark plug. Ignition system failures, such as incorrect spark plug gap settings, can also damage it. It is recommended to regularly check the spark plug condition, replace them every 30,000 kilometers, and use high-octane fuel to reduce carbon deposits.
