What Causes a Lack of Power After Replacing Spark Plugs?
2 Answers
The reasons for feeling a lack of power after replacing spark plugs: the spark plugs may not be tightened properly, the installed spark plugs might be of the wrong model, or there could be an issue with the ignition coil. Spark plugs are a consumable part in a car that requires regular replacement. When replacing spark plugs, after removal, the holes where the spark plugs are installed should be covered with stickers to prevent foreign objects from falling into the cylinders. During installation, the spark plugs should be tightened to the specified torque. Commonly known as spark plugs, their function is to discharge the pulsed high voltage electricity sent by the high-voltage wires (spark plug wires), breaking down the air between the two electrodes of the spark plug to generate an electric spark, thereby igniting the mixed gas in the cylinder.
I just changed the spark plugs and immediately noticed the car feels sluggish with noticeably reduced power. Possible causes could be selecting the wrong spark plug model, such as mismatched heat range leading to incorrect ignition timing; or improper installation techniques, like setting the gap too wide or narrow, affecting spark intensity. I didn’t carefully read the instructions and just went ahead with the replacement, resulting in weak acceleration. By the way, new spark plugs sometimes need a short break-in period and may stabilize after driving a few dozen kilometers. But more often, it exposes other issues like aging ignition coils or clogged fuel filters – these are knock-on effects. I later found cracks in the coil during inspection. I recommend first using an OBD scanner to check for trouble codes. If there’s no improvement, visit a professional repair shop rather than toughing it out to save money and waste time. Safe driving is crucial – insufficient power can be dangerous on highways.
