What Causes White Spark Plugs and Lack of Acceleration?
2 Answers
The causes of white spark plugs and lack of acceleration include excessively early ignition timing, poor cooling conditions, low-quality fuel, and cylinder leakage in the engine. It is necessary to promptly clean the engine's carbon deposits and replace the spark plugs after cleaning. Steps for replacing spark plugs: Open the engine hood, lift the plastic engine cover, remove the high-voltage ignition wires, and mark each cylinder's position to avoid confusion. Use a spark plug socket to remove the spark plugs one by one. While removing them, check for external debris such as leaves or dust and ensure thorough cleaning. Place the new spark plug into the spark plug hole, hand-tighten it a few turns, and then use the socket to tighten it further. Reinstall the removed high-voltage ignition wires in the firing order and reattach the cover. Spark plug replacement intervals: Under normal maintenance conditions, spark plugs should be replaced every 40,000 to 60,000 kilometers. However, this may vary depending on the brand and engine, so it's recommended to follow the user manual. Refer to the following standards for maintenance replacement: Platinum spark plugs should be replaced at 40,000 kilometers, standard nickel alloy spark plugs at 20,000 kilometers, and iridium spark plugs at 60,000 to 80,000 kilometers.
I last encountered this situation in my friend's car that had over a hundred thousand kilometers on it. White spark plugs most commonly indicate a lean fuel mixture caused by too much air and not enough gasoline. The issue could stem from several places: for example, the fuel pump might not be performing well, leading to insufficient fuel supply, or the fuel injectors could be clogged with carbon deposits and unable to spray fuel properly. There's also the possibility that the intake pipe is cracked somewhere, allowing extra air to be sucked in. Additionally, faulty sensors like the mass airflow sensor can cause the computer to miscalculate the air-fuel ratio. When accelerating, the car feels like it's struggling to breathe, and even with the pedal to the metal, the speed increases sluggishly. It's recommended to first read the fault codes with a diagnostic tool, focusing on fuel pressure data and intake vacuum levels. Don't push through such issues; get them fixed early to avoid breaking down on the road.
