What are the symptoms of a broken spark plug?
2 Answers
Symptoms of a broken spark plug: 1. Difficulty in starting the engine, whether cold or hot, sometimes requiring multiple attempts; 2. Unstable idle, shaking, poor acceleration, and insufficient power after starting; 3. Frequent stalling at idle. Not replacing spark plugs for a long time can affect the vehicle's ignition performance, and prolonged use can also lead to carbon buildup. Sometimes, deposits can accumulate between the top of the spark plug insulator and the electrode. In severe cases, this can cause the engine to malfunction. After cleaning the spark plug, the vehicle may temporarily operate normally, but similar issues may soon reappear. In fact, deposits on the spark plug are just a surface symptom, indicating problems with other mechanical components of the vehicle.
After the spark plug broke, the most obvious symptom while driving was severe shaking, like sitting on a massage chair, especially noticeable at idle or low speeds. Acceleration was also sluggish—stepping on the gas felt weak, and fuel consumption spiked by nearly 20%, meaning a full tank got me far fewer kilometers. Cold starts were even more troublesome, often requiring three or four attempts to ignite, accompanied by popping sounds from the exhaust pipe and a strong smell of gasoline. After repairs, I learned that spark plug fragments could have fallen into the engine and scratched the pistons, prompting me to replace all spark plugs immediately. Now, I make it a habit to inspect them every 40,000 kilometers—prevention saves both hassle and money. Don’t wait for problems to regret; regular maintenance is key.
