How to Determine if a Spark Plug in your Car Is Faulty

Spark plugs are one of the most critical components of any petrol-powered engine. They will basically send an electrical signal from the coil to the inside of the cylinder at a specific time and ignite the air and fuel mixture. Hence it is important to have them replaced during a car service in Reading as per your car manufactures schedule.

Symptoms of a faulty spark plug

There is no single symptom that will teach you how to tell if a spark plug is defective. In other words, you may experience two or more symptoms, each of which is distinct. All of the symptoms that your car could be experiencing are listed below:

1. Reduced acceleration 

One of the most common is decreased acceleration. This occurs when the spark plug's efficiency is reduced. It is made up of several materials, all of which must function properly in order to send the electrical signal to the engine at the correct time. This will eventually decrease, implying that the spark plug will either not send the signal at all or will send it at a slower rate than necessary. The cylinder will not function if no signal is sent. Your vehicle will literally run on three or fewer cylinders. When efficiency is reduced, a spark plug may send an electrical signal at the wrong time or at a lower voltage, causing the cylinder to be unable to produce power, resulting in decreased acceleration. We should mention that this problem can be caused by a faulty fuel injector, a sensor on your camshaft or crankshaft, or even a clogged fuel filter. It's a good idea to begin by replacing the spark plugs, especially if they're old. In some cases, you may also need to replace the spark plug wires.

2. Higher fuel consumption 

This is a common symptom that is usually caused by faulty spark plugs. So, what causes this? When the spark plug is damaged and its efficiency is reduced, it is unable to properly ignite the fuel and air mixture. Your car will require more fuel, resulting in an increase in fuel consumption. The symptom can occur as a result of an excessively large or insufficiently small gap between the electrode and the central piece of a spark plug. The manufacturer predetermines the gap, which is measured in millimetres. Because each car has a different value, you'll need a tool to measure and adjust the gap. Replacing the spark plugs will also solve the problem.

3. Misfiring of the engine 

This is the most common problem associated with a car's wiring. Misfire occurs when the mixture of air and fuel in a cylinder is not ignited at the proper time. The engine will literally work irregularly, and you will hear explosions coming from the exhaust. A misfire occurs when the electrical signal from the coil is not sent to the sparkplug at the correct time, or when the sparkplug does not transfer it at the correct time. It can be sent while the piston is ascending or descending in the cylinder. In either case, you will notice significantly increased fuel consumption, difficulties starting the engine, and decreased performance. Remember that a misfire can occur as a result of a damaged or faulty sensor on the camshaft or crankshaft. However, if your vehicle has an onboard computer, it will display a corresponding error code.

4. Surging engine 

This is one symptom that is associated with a faulty spark plugin in 99 percent of cases. It is very noticeable. You will notice a loss of power and decreased performance while driving your car. This occurs when one or more spark plugs fail. When you press the throttle and increase the RPMs, a spark plug will suddenly begin to work.

5. Vibrating sound while idle 

Your engine should be smooth and quiet while idle. It means that all of the components are functioning properly. However, when a spark plug fails, you will notice vibrations and a rough idle. The engine operates normally, and the previously mentioned vibrations can be seen. When there is a problem with one or more spark plugs, the symptom is common.

6. Your car's engine won't start

If you're having trouble starting the engine, especially when it's cold outside, the spark plugs need to be replaced. We can add that while this is one of the first symptoms to appear, it does not necessarily indicate that a spark plug has failed. It indicates that a spark plug or spark plugs have failed and are no longer transmitting the electrical signal as they should.

What is the average lifespan of a spark plug?

Depending on your vehicle and the spark plugs themselves, they can last between 30.000 and 100.000 miles. They will eventually fail. When this occurs, you must determine the source of the problem. We'll go over the main signs of a bad spark plug in this section. The solution is simple. Simply replace the spark plugs. If you are still in doubt, then search online for vehicle service near me and request a professional car mechanic to replace any faulty spark plugs.

Final Thoughts

You now understand how to tell if a spark plug is bad. Regardless of which or how many symptoms you have, you must inspect and replace the spark plugs when looking for car maintenance near me. In many cases, a simple fix will suffice, and your car will resume normal operation. Remember that spark plugs are the smallest but most important component of your vehicle.

As a result, it is easy to see why investing in high-end units is a wise decision. They will last longer and reduce the likelihood of any of these symptoms occur.