6 Alarming Spark Plug Symptoms That Are Worse Than You Think

Having car troubles? Your spark plugs might be the culprit and need a replacement! In this video, we'll discuss the common symptoms of faulty spark plugs and how to easily test and inspect them yourself.

What are spark plugs?
Spark plugs are small but essential components in your engine. They're responsible for igniting the air-fuel mixture in each cylinder, creating the power that propels your car.

Signs your spark plugs need replacement
Engine misfire: This is the most common symptom. A misfire happens when a spark plug fails to ignite the fuel properly, causing the engine to run rough and sputter.
Check engine light: A steady or flashing check engine light, often accompanied by misfire codes, can indicate faulty spark plugs.
Rough idling: You'll feel vibrations in the engine when idling due to uneven combustion caused by misfiring.
Loss of power and hesitation: Weak spark plugs can't keep up with the demand for increased power, resulting in sluggish acceleration and decreased performance.
Decreased fuel economy: Unburnt fuel due to misfires leads to wasted fuel and poor gas mileage.
Hard starting: Difficulty starting the engine can occur if multiple cylinders are misfiring due to weak spark plugs.

Testing bad spark plugs:
Visual inspection: Look for the color and condition of the spark plug tip. Light tan or grey is ideal, while black deposits indicate a rich fuel mixture, and oily deposits suggest oil burning or other issues. Check for cracks, corrosion, or chipping on the insulator and proper gap between electrodes.
Ignition coil test: With the engine idling, disconnect one ignition coil at a time. If the engine RPM drops, the cylinder was firing properly. No change likely indicates a bad spark plug or coil in that cylinder.

Tips:
Cleaning: Lightly corroded spark plugs with proper gap can be cleaned with a wire brush, carb cleaner, and sandpaper.
Replacement: Refer to your owner's manual for the recommended spark plug replacement interval, typically between 30,000 and 100,000 miles. Consider iridium spark plugs for extended lifespan.
Want to learn more?

For a detailed guide and other potential causes of car performance issues, check out this link:
https://www.autocornerd.com/check-eng...

#sparkplugs #carproblems #checkenginelight #misfire

Timecode:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:06 - Spark plug issue overview
00:00:14 - Spark plug function
00:00:28 - Engine misfire
00:00:34 - Check engine light
00:00:56 - Misfire codes
00:01:21 - Rough idling
00:01:31 - Loss of power
00:01:54 - Decrease in fuel economy
00:02:18 - Hard starting
00:02:43 - Visual inspection
00:03:09 - Electrode gap
00:03:27 - Ignition coil test
00:03:38 - Cleaning spark plugs
00:03:51 - Replacement interval
00:04:01 - Iridium spark plugs
00:04:07 - Detailed guide link
00:04:11 - Outro