Posts Tagged: Spark Plugs
How spark plugs work
Understanding how spark plugs work Before you start tuning up your engine, you should understand how spark plugs work. What is a spark? Why is the spark plug gap so important? Are some spark plugs better than others? I’ll answer all those questions is this post: How spark plugs work. What is a spark? It’s plasma between the center and side electrodes. There are five phases of matter: Solids, Liquids, Gases, and Plasma. What generates plasma? During the compression stroke, the piston rises and compresses the air/fuel mixture, forcing the … Read More
Spark plug replacement
Spark plug replacement Pick the right spark plug replacement When platinum spark plugs came out, some carmakers raised the spark plug change intervals to as long as every 100,000 miles. Unfortunately, that’s now become folklore that every engine can go 100,000 miles between spark plug changes. It’s not true and never was. The spark plug change interval depends on the type of spark plug and the engine design. Many late model turbocharged engines require spark plug replacement as often as 40,000 miles, and that with iridium spark plugs! Types of … Read More