The purpose of your spark plugs is to ignite the compressed air and fuel contained inside your engine\’s combustion chambers. This results in a small explosion followed by a quick expansion of gases. These gases force each cylinder\’s piston downward in the chamber. The pistons are attached to your car\’s crankshaft, which rotates as the pistons move. The crankshaft\’s rotations power your vehicle.

When spark plugs become fouled or damaged, they often lose their ability to deliver a spark. An engine may still operate, but not at its peak level of performance. It might misfire, stumble while idling, and hesitate during acceleration. Eventually, the fouled spark plugs will cause your engine to become less reliable.

This article will provide a quick step-by-step tutorial for changing a bad spark plug in your vehicle. The procedure is relatively simple, and can be completed in less than half an hour, even if you have little experience working on your car.

Step 1: Gather The Right Tools

You can\’t replace your spark plugs without using the right tools. You\’ll need a ratchet wrench with a set of socket extensions. You\’ll also need a spark plug socket. Plan to have a few towels within reach so you can clean your hands. And of course, make sure your replacement set of plugs are nearby.

Step 2: Take Out The Plug Wire

The spark plugs are found at the end of the rubber hoses that lie across the top of the engine, or to its side. These hoses are the spark plug wires. Each cylinder will have at least one wire and one plug.

The plugs fire in a particular sequence, and each belongs to a specific cylinder. For this reason, avoid removing all of them at the same time. Remove and replace them one by one. Start at one end, and work your way toward the other.

Gently grab the wire as closely as you can near its nest, and pull it straight out. Don\’t yank it since doing so can damage it. Once you have removed the wire, you\’ll see the end of the spark plug poking upward from the engine block. This part of the plug is called the terminal.

Step 3: Remove The Old Plug

Attach the appropriate socket extension to your ratchet wrench, and place it onto the exposed plug. Then, pull the plug from the engine block.

Step 4: Inspect The Old Plug

With the bad plug removed, inspect it. Take a close look at the end opposite the terminal. Look for signs of deposits, burning, wetness, and glazing. Each of these symptoms imply something about your engine, and may highlight serious problems.

For example, if you notice an accumulation of thick, black material near the gap, oil is likely getting into the combustion chamber. If the material appears less solid, it might suggest excessive fuel is getting into the chamber, producing a rich air-fuel mixture. You might also see blistering near the gap. This could mean the chamber is too hot, which in turn might imply the ignition timing is off (i.e. advanced) or the valves are sticking.

The reason to check for these and other problems is because they can foul or damage a new spark plug. It is better to resolve such issues before installing the plug.

Step 5: Install The New Plug

Once you are ready to install the new spark plug, place it into its nest in the engine block. Then, gently thread it (turn it clockwise) by hand. It is necessary to seat the plug by hand at first to avoid damaging the threads. Once you have turned it a few times, finish seating it with the socket extension. It should be snug, but not overly tight. Lastly, attach the spark plug wire to the terminal end of the plug.

Step 6: Test Your New Plug

Remove your tools, and start your engine. Listen to make sure the new plug is working properly. Once you have done so, turn the engine off. Consider the job finished.

It\’s important to change bad spark plugs as soon as you notice a problem since they can affect the fuel economy and performance of your engine. Use the tutorial above to guide you along the way.

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Author Bio: When looking for a Junction City Kansas Car Dealer, Manhattan Kansas Honda or many other Kansas cars, trucks, and SUVs. Visit Conklin Cars online at: ConklinCars.com.

Category: Automotive
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