What to Do When Spark Plugs Get Wet?
1 Answers
If the spark plugs get wet, they should be replaced immediately or dried by heating or natural air drying. Spark plugs are a crucial component of the ignition system in gasoline engines. They introduce high-voltage electricity into the combustion chamber, causing it to jump the electrode gap and create a spark, thereby igniting the combustible air-fuel mixture in the cylinder. Spark plugs mainly come in the following types: standard spark plugs, extended insulator spark plugs, electrode-type spark plugs, seat-type spark plugs, pole-type spark plugs, and surface-gap spark plugs. Under high voltage, the air between the center electrode and the side electrode of the spark plug rapidly ionizes, forming positively charged ions and negatively charged free electrons. When the voltage between the electrodes reaches a certain level, the number of ions and electrons in the gas increases like an avalanche, causing the air to lose its insulating properties and forming a discharge channel between the gap, resulting in a 'breakdown' phenomenon. At this point, the gas becomes a luminous body, known as a 'spark.' Along with the heat expansion, a 'crackling' sound is also produced. The temperature of this electrical spark can reach as high as 2000–3000°C, which is sufficient to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder's combustion chamber.
