Spark plugs play an important role in the operation of internal combustion gasoline engines. Their main function is to create a powerful electrical spark needed to ignite the air-fuel mixture inside the cylinders. This process converts the chemical energy of the fuel into mechanical work, moving the pistons and crankshaft.
– How to choose spark plugs
– Dangers of incorrect component selection
The quality, condition, and proper selection of spark plugs directly affect combustion efficiency, power characteristics, fuel economy, and the level of harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Timely replacement of spark plugs according to the recommendations of the car manufacturer allows maintaining the optimal parameters of the power unit, preventing premature wear and malfunctions.
How to choose spark plugs
When selecting auto parts, a number of parameters must be taken into account, on which the engine’s efficiency directly depends:
1. Electrode gap size. This characteristic determines the length of the spark gap through which a breakdown occurs and a spark is formed to ignite the air-fuel mixture. The larger the gap, the higher the voltage required to form a stable spark. The optimal value is set by the manufacturer for each engine model based on compression ratio, combustion chamber volume, and other factors that affect spark discharge power.
2. Electrode material. The choice of electrode material determines the spark plugs’ resistance to electro-erosive wear and corrosion in extreme combustion chamber conditions. Budget options use copper-nickel alloys, providing a lifespan of 20–30 thousand km. More expensive models are equipped with electrodes made of noble metals – platinum or iridium, which increase durability 2-3 times.
3. Heat range. This parameter determines the components’ ability to dissipate heat from the electrodes in high-temperature conditions. Devices with a low heat range are designed for cold conditions and high load modes, while high-range ones are more suitable for hot regions and mild operating modes.
4. Type of fuel used. Different types of devices with different thermal conductivity and electrode geometry are required for gasoline and gas (propane-butane, methane) engines. This is due to differences in the calorific value of gasoline and gas, affecting the heat release in the combustion chamber during the working cycle.
Dangers of Incorrect Component Selection
Ignoring the requirements for spark plug parameters can lead to serious engine malfunctions and even breakdown. Incorrect electrode gap size will not allow forming a powerful enough spark for efficient ignition of the fuel mixture. As a result, the power unit will operate at reduced power, with deteriorated traction and increased fuel consumption.
The use of electrodes made of poor-quality materials leads to their accelerated wear, the formation of soot and deposits on the working surfaces. This causes a disruption in the combustion process, detonation, overheating, and damage to cylinder-piston assembly parts. The failure of one or several spark plugs completely disrupts mixture ignition, resulting in unburned fuel being expelled into the exhaust system through the corresponding cylinders. This not only reduces power but also quickly damages the catalytic converter due to clogging from unconsumed hydrocarbons.