First off, what is the job of a Spark Plug?
Spark plugs generate sparks to ignite the air-fueled mixture in the engine. This powers the vehicle by creating a controlled explosion in the engines cylinders. When the flint starts to wear out, it doesn’t create the spark needed to ignite in the cylinders. Which is the main factor in why spark plugs start going bad. Regular maintenance is essential for optimal engine performance.
What are the Symptoms of Bad Spark Plugs?
Bad spark plugs can cause an array of symptoms. The longer it goes unfixed, there is more potential for other issues to arise with your engine. You may start noticing things from the list below.
- Rough Starting/No Start
- Poor/Inconsistent Idle on your RPM gauge. (Usually, normal range is between 600-1000 RPM)
- A notable misfire, sluggish or inconsistent acceleration.
- Check Engine Light/Flashing Check Engine Light
If anything from the list above sounds like what you have been experiencing, then it is a good idea to get your vehicle scanned. You can do it yourself or go to trusted mechanic. Some auto part stores will have a scanner on hand and most will scan your vehicle at request, depending on your location.
Future Issues if Not Fixed
Delaying the replacement of spark plugs in your vehicle can lead to various risks and damages, including stress on the engine and potential harm to the catalytic converter. The following issues may arise:
- Damage to Catalytic Converter: Fuel may accumulate in the catalytic converter, causing damage to the honeycomb-like filter due to incorrect firing of spark plugs.
- Misfiring: Your vehicle may experience misfiring, which can disrupt the timing and performance.
- Poor Fuel Economy/Increased Emissions: Misfiring can result in poor fuel economy and increased emissions, affecting the overall efficiency of the vehicle.
- Malfunctioning Coil Packs/Distributor: The coil packs or distributor may not function properly, leading to further ignition issues.
- Potential Engine Damage: Continued neglect of spark plug replacement can cause additional damage to the engine.
Ok, So How Do I Fix It?
To avoid unnecessary damages to your vehicle issues, it’s crucial to follow the maintenance schedule provided in your owner’s manual. Doing so will help you stay on top of necessary maintenance tasks and ensure the longevity and performance of your vehicle. Below are the steps for repair. However, if you are not comfortable doing the following steps yourself, you can go tot a trusted mechanic for assistance.
- Start by getting your vehicle scanned to find out what cylinder/cylinders are misfiring.
- Then take out the spark plug that has the misfire and move it to another cylinder. For example, you have a code come up saying “Misfire in engine cylinder #1. To test, swap the spark plugs form #1 cylinder with #4 cylinder. Put everything back together and document what was swapped.
- Using the scanner, clear the codes for the current misfire.
- Take the vehicle for a drive until the check engine light comes on and scan the vehicle again when safe to do so.
- If the code that comes up says the same code as the example above, then you now know that the spark plug is worn and should be replaced along with the other spark plugs as well to ensure your engine is able to spark correctly/consistently to better the life and reliability of your engine.
