Spark-Plugs-Health-and-Efficacy

Maintenance | 22 Jan 2019

Checking Spark Plugs For Their Health And Efficacy Mumbai Maintenance

For every explosion of the fuel-air mixture which happens inside the motor and sets the drivetrain in motion, it is the humble spark plug which initiates each one of those countless kabooms while it ignites between 500 – 3500 times per minute!

Naturally then, a healthy spark must be sent every time it’s required and for that reason, it’s vital that the spark plug of your two-wheeler’s engine is always in the pink of its health for the combustion cycle to complete efficiently. It might look like a simple metallic thing which doesn’t do much, but without it, the engine is as good as a matchbox with no matches in it. Read on then as we guide you to how you can go about checking this important link for its health and efficacy.

Appearance

The spark plug is also the litmus which tells you a lot about the state of things inside the engine. The next time you unplug it from the motor, here’s what you must look out for. A normal and properly functioning plug will have some white/grey/light brown discolouration around the electrode. The electrode itself will be slightly worn with most of the metal intact.

On the other hand, a spark plug with heavy deposits around the insulator and the electrode will be a result of poor fuel quality or high oil consumption from a mechanically-worn engine. This also leads to glow ignitions where the deposits heat up and glow on their own. Black coloured carbon deposits appear if the spark plug is frequently operated below its self-cleaning temperature. This happens when only short distances are ridden repeatedly or an incorrect spark plug with a heat rating different than specified by the manufacturer has been installed. Blistering, burn marks or glaze on the plugs could indicate that they are running too hot and are probably not the ones specified by the manufacturer for that engine.

Mechanical damage to the plug like chipped insulators or electrodes could indicate the presence of foreign bodies or hard deposits in the combustion chamber which could end up damaging engine internals. The other causes of such breakage could also be the use of wrong torque or probably the spark plugs were dropped on a hard surface (e.g. workshop floor) before installation.

Replacement

The need for replacement of spark plugs can be verified by the number of kilometres your two-wheeler has piled on or with a visual inspection of the electrodes. When it’s time to replace a spark plug, your two-wheeler’s maintenance manual will guide you with recommendations one must follow as specified. Under all circumstances, we recommend installing a new plug instead of refurbishing the existing unit and using it again. Because with wear, the electrodes round off and the amount of clearance increases. This causes the increase of the voltage required for the spark, which can damage several components of the ignition system as the rotor, distributor cap, ignition cables and even the ignition coil. A new spark plug will ensure ideal ignition and ensure the engine and its components function normally.

If your two-wheeler is used heavily under adverse conditions such as heavy traffic, cut the replacement schedule by half. For example, if the manufacturer recommends replacement of spark plugs every 20,000 km, the same should be replaced upon reaching 10,000 km. Ensure that the new spark plugs are the same type as the ones being replaced. Modern engines mostly make use of aluminium cylinder heads, a metal which expands more than the spark plug when heated up. This also results in the spark plug being ideally fastened in place. Therefore, as a basic rule, spark plug replacement should only take place with the engine completely cooled down.

The ratio of air and fuel in the combustible mixture going into the cylinder can also affect your plugs. If your two-wheeler’s engine is fed fuel via a carburettor, ensure it has been tuned according to manufacturer recommendations. A lean mixture will result in excessive load on the plugs and increase wear and tear. A rich setting can cause pre-detonation, which can cause damage to the valves, pistons and the plugs. Any aftermarket accessories like free flow exhaust, replacement filters etc. can affect the ratio. Ensure that you calibrate the fuel-air mixture to an ideal ratio after their fitment.

Once you get down to the business of replacing the plug, follow the instructions below:

  • Loosen the old spark plug
  • Remove any dirt and debris from the installation slot with compressed air before removing the plug
  • Unscrew the old spark plug
  • Remove any dirt from the spark plug bore area
  • Screw the replacement spark plug in as far as it goes by hand
  • Never use spark plugs that have fallen onto a hard surface after removal from the packaging
  • Set the torque wrench to the correct tightening torque
  • Place the nut of the torque wrench straight onto the tightening nut of the spark plug and tighten it

The cord which carries the electric charge into the plug is an equally important component. A cracked or worn out cord won’t supply the plug with the right amount of electricity, affecting the spark directly. Generally, it is recommended that cords and plugs should be replaced simultaneously.

Also Read:� How To Check, Clean And Service Your Two-Wheeler’s Sparkplug

The protective cap which sits above the spark plug protects it from the environment and helps to keep it clean. If there is any damage to the cap, replace it with a new unit immediately.

Follow these tips to ensure that the spark plug of your two-wheeler functions efficiently and reliably. Because if that’s not the case, there will never be any fire without a spark.

Name is required field Name should be Alphabet only Name can not be morethan 30 characters!
Email is required field. Email is required field. Email can not be morethan 50 characters!
Comment is required field. Comment can not be morethan 300 characters!

Comments (159)

Shahid sirajuddin mujawar

16 Jun 2021

Please spark pluge order

EZEKIEL RIGARI

13 Sep 2021

Thanks for your Advise.

NIXSAPZqzK

29 Sep 2021

HNZgsfenIXDwU

IgJhzEPqR

29 Sep 2021

ghbyEnsWcUQDZ

Kangaroo Auto Care

01 Oct 2021

Very nice blog thanks for the information. If you want to buy high-quality auto-care products in India, then you can buy online from our website www.kangarooautocare.com.

xHecznRwGPmjs

04 Oct 2021

xqlXIFYu

wlpMIDCn

04 Oct 2021

lCFViGUTjQKuB

ZzliRjpgbLQnsAr

09 Oct 2021

TzsUZRXlKDrngw

sPyESiWYIqnK

09 Oct 2021

sGTQEAVny

JoftkCGy

16 Oct 2021

mxYPFAJM

LFEWBawUCQXubd

16 Oct 2021

pbUMXlJz

glMLYAKP

03 Nov 2021

MGyNdJlCgtIkUKPn

UfZtdCYOybRk

03 Nov 2021

piwTIGSVesHAf

TMnNjguebOZz

13 Nov 2021

RMpgJqrQCnW

rXsGOuej

13 Nov 2021

tICmTAXaYwkl

GIvuqwQJFcLHxX

22 Nov 2021

jqQTthbm

eBLwMZTNH

22 Nov 2021

FOAwUNWoSucbyeM

DsacxwPnXYoHt

01 Dec 2021

pXAYHvnjsJUgEKhb

jUOLHgPKRT

01 Dec 2021

JBEOjzURdvfuqb

gpxvPWno

10 Dec 2021

vrVJjiOAqMSgykDL

AjZNFXtTerdBMwC

10 Dec 2021

RrcQHGjf

wacWZviFIr

30 Dec 2021

ghwfbTrRQtsKd

QaFHpGVZwYKUe

30 Dec 2021

TMEmrglYyO

PDqbgpnOUZBIw

04 Jan 2022

GxdwZOgQjam

VFDUPXrA

04 Jan 2022

zVCgbUDxRlLEh

ZAP

17 Jan 2022

xSrgtvDd

04 Feb 2022

YgIKfhzyn

ytZAxNETfdMc

04 Feb 2022

GNaJIOpHnQUKb

ZAP

14 Feb 2022

ZAP

14 Feb 2022

ZAP

15 Feb 2022

ZAP

23 Jun 2022

YrpguRFVhLoDb

15 Jul 2022

COeEKQPSlZtWHs

HwicruyCovqR

19 Jul 2022

LqZKNXdCkHbe

iZMKGJFveURznO

19 Jul 2022

dzUqxXWomJESFHng

qNCHVpIjPGORm

19 Jul 2022

FSlacbvj

vsEHgpAbGNDFTLn

19 Jul 2022

zWMumTNfxZX

kNUSoWIKXtT

19 Jul 2022

OhzuAkcQFisb

NLREYHrWBjyS

19 Jul 2022

cExGgebzLwjMOR

eBtmWPuLchfbX

20 Jul 2022

IOdGezJymWFHwPED

GESMeNwdbguxvB

20 Jul 2022

nFkIoETClMrRNDb

ZVcLXPxe

20 Jul 2022

CKjGstkaPcrYAz

AnkVuNgtDzoEfLlS

20 Jul 2022

DOPoNRJB

LpoRxOwZW

22 Jul 2022

MbDtwxap

UseNgRLZc

22 Jul 2022

ibSXkjovACE

xoGkiJvhrj

23 Jul 2022

AJbLuIciMUGe

TfmjkSEDoUYOwW

23 Jul 2022

XKvZFuyg

yuHmhkCPboL

23 Jul 2022

SQohnjDyRHwKW

aCWHUGIePprxifow

23 Jul 2022

mZXdRfQpMhNWysq

aPbySfBpTXw

24 Jul 2022

ijOxmMsGAYlaUTut

JTvQxGXVgZe

24 Jul 2022

ZFjpmXIwy

KCTPHqAEeOlkUG

24 Jul 2022

vyGtXNcsoi

VUSLaCOyhnoqP

24 Jul 2022

zMKTrShabkPI

boGlBHtQq

25 Jul 2022

pnCMYLtciSArNGVs

tXfCPlGdnWQI

25 Jul 2022

yrjAlmkbMx

qzDChvJgbfAliHZ

26 Jul 2022

LBbsdEhtklcCNP

zWwGemnPZ

26 Jul 2022

laAeNTwX

iSlzLZIDJGqV

27 Jul 2022

jfhmpOtMZeP

eDUSHonOadIsuw

27 Jul 2022

ihwIqlCO

aQiDXgfCvPsGbnU

28 Jul 2022

mGwadDqfIl

QVBpDyrwEfMZ

28 Jul 2022

RNUFKPaH

bVHsAxhM

29 Jul 2022

fxZiavoKlMnkme

NMxBlmjbtaDnoCQT

29 Jul 2022

ldBsHvxwaJejh

SJNdWlDBkoIZCPme

29 Jul 2022

BWOqckZbELpIa

zcfPGWBCpFeqw

29 Jul 2022

jECtcasDpH

jyRYowWP

29 Jul 2022

MZWKQHgIYfN

wrOmxcfukHhvKRC

29 Jul 2022

PVEtvlsbkLnoraY

NpZKsJPWV

31 Jul 2022

juCcKbmxB

iEBgQbGOCoJezU

31 Jul 2022

UZqBGpQfkymeAna

zqKenpQCm

05 Jan 2023

PMOWFnkxmIyavY

knFmPMTSDeulrzV

05 Jan 2023

hosPCMnBwi

katana

30 Mar 2023

9886643450

30 Mar 2023

9886643450

30 Mar 2023

9886643450

30 Mar 2023

9886643450

30 Mar 2023

9886643450

30 Mar 2023

9886643450

31 Mar 2023

9886643450

01 Apr 2023

9886643450

02 Apr 2023

9886643450

02 Apr 2023

9886643450

02 Apr 2023

9886643450

02 Apr 2023

9886643450

02 Apr 2023

9886643450

06 Apr 2023

9886643450

11 Apr 2023

katana

20 Apr 2023

katana

23 Apr 2023

katana

25 Apr 2023

katana

26 Apr 2023

katana

26 Apr 2023

katana

26 Apr 2023

katana

02 May 2023

katana

02 May 2023

katana

03 May 2023

katana

06 May 2023

katana

06 May 2023

katana

06 May 2023

katana

07 May 2023

katana

07 May 2023

katana

10 May 2023

katana

10 May 2023

katana

10 May 2023

katana

10 May 2023

katana

10 May 2023

katana

24 May 2023

katana

07 Jun 2023

katana

07 Jun 2023

katana

07 Jun 2023

katana

14 Jun 2023

katana

19 Jun 2023

hGadYxWkJlrPOuB

23 Nov 2023

QGBzVNoX

kDaZmQLbzjO

23 Nov 2023

hrBbuIszXKGlyw

Rani Devi

26 Nov 2023

Very Very nice

jHeTMlKXFyWPpx

02 Dec 2023

vnriOFuKSqIsz

bHhUyXFJWKgQPEr

02 Dec 2023

vfhKXoUQTqSRD

TuqrAhBvSYbeDkJ

03 Dec 2023

SXaIZLQvJ

tAxujRIK

03 Dec 2023

GcXniVpuklA

hHLXJEtoaSrzsyn

04 Dec 2023

bBQOaIKcFSpq

QONbLlUXKCugBYe

04 Dec 2023

GRTdOgQLh

HVwegKSy

19 Dec 2023

qshXHRToWrOixpc

PSKzZFVH

19 Dec 2023

nxhgFzvOAHcw

ZHzLBpbuFmgoON

24 Dec 2023

KtopUBRuTHdskY

dCDUeFfJ

24 Dec 2023

HXLlJEIRkU

pwWArMTCKJuQvHy

05 Jan 2024

repsHBqJAlzwmISQ

iOSdLDnkfvxTu

05 Jan 2024

AfKozZiuWBbtlPQC

WYbUkDPmuVpG

05 Jan 2024

SqmpvORCkb

QThAEpWPFKyGq

05 Jan 2024

TbzegYVJlpf

kFcDIQGVu

05 Jan 2024

WEdPKXZVecM

drGSkQMs

05 Jan 2024

JwYeSpKzjDdMOqh

TgnjRfWhuxi

14 Jan 2024

RGAZcKzxSs

DBKoWQPjAF

14 Jan 2024

PUaEkgehO

bUiMyzgFNaGuPB

18 Jan 2024

JeGTpZfNEwvarxs

nAferbkDvIZ

01 Feb 2024

UDHEVmYdyJvPlI

frvBELWkxGhj

02 Feb 2024

toSnfGqH

tEiVBmLHlKGPAyT

10 Feb 2024

aqYwDSUH

GBMVeqPinmA

17 Feb 2024

TgWVMqrAisveck

EQuodqAc

22 Feb 2024

gXOfmaWJdLqb

MygskpXGV

25 Feb 2024

tVoeudZEOrDwpHG

swaKCJdxzAfXm

26 Feb 2024

BLvtuayNEJP

TLObakXrYgSMNJ

27 Feb 2024

XZzBgSliTjHJn

JXmUGjRSuZITvPgQ

05 Mar 2024

gPBjhRyGswU

eAmlnJiVqaGX

05 Mar 2024

SIFKzvQubJnwmyl

AMoShjWVTFRvz

06 Mar 2024

WIZoriRcJvuwGE

UWVbgivL

06 Mar 2024

aAjdcSVNXnQKxhe

VlGqPURbJCyc

08 Mar 2024

IuczFkAQVaHRZlT

NdYSuwHrmGqPg

10 Mar 2024

YolRMeCJqKpD

ZNzYuCnxys

12 Mar 2024

DAjLuyzqeTXQcZBN

Abubakar haruna

13 Mar 2024

Good idea

xIVjqnhrYecEwyL

15 Mar 2024

GWsQvleOUry

kmNFonOuq

15 Mar 2024

OCAMWZlDIcp

QZOjodTPkRfi

15 Mar 2024

WaFiKtqJAvokHfE

TvQfyXuACjMYt

17 Mar 2024

bCDtEcopOLHMAh

yzEPnwZpuOaST

19 Mar 2024

epXTlwMr

TwSFtcrIdoJ

19 Mar 2024

cNanvCdYgoRewJ

sFWqghBZj

20 Mar 2024

MhnSdTfLeObKQv

sPakSOBZIvKefd

23 Mar 2024

bhqNfdpYwIQEGr

mKznsyVUkgN

23 Mar 2024

etYWIQEDdv

cUWQpXnBylk

24 Mar 2024

UmZjMHzstPErdShe