What is the cause of spark plug wear?

What is the cause of Spark plug wear?

Power your engine

A key component in the engine of a gas powered car, the Spark Plug provides the spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture to start the engine. The spark plug is connected to the Ignition coil, which generates the voltage needed to ignite the air/fuel and initiates the combustion process that powers the engine.

To ensure that your vehicle runs on all cylinders, the engine's spark plugs need to be clean and the electrodes undamaged. A faulty spark plug can adversely affect the performance of your vehicle, and driving with poor quality or dirty spark plugs may cause the following problems for your engine:

1.Reduced Gas Mileage

2.Poor acceleration

3.Hard Starts

4.Engine fire

5.Rough Idling

If you notice any of these symptoms of a faulty spark plug, consult your mechanic, who will be able to determine if a bad spark plug is the source of the problem. Read on to learn what might cause the spark plug to fail.

The oil is in the combustion chamber

The main cause of spark plug problems is the flow of oil into the combustion chamber. If oil leaks into the combustion chamber, it may cause the spark plug tip to become oily and dirty, resulting in premature failure. Especially with older cars, take note if your vehicle starts to burn oil, as this may indicate that your spark plug may have been damaged and therefore have a shorter lifespan.

Overheat

Repeated overheating of the spark plug tip can lead to premature plug failure. Overheating can be caused by a number of reasons, such as premature ignition and cooling system failure. Early ignition can cause heat to build up in the combustion chamber, which can cause the spark plug to fail. Also, if the cooling system doesn't work properly, it can cause the engine and spark plugs to overheat. This overheating causes the spark plug electrodes to wear out faster.

Carbon deposition

Black dry soot on electrodes and insulator tips indicates carbon buildup in spark plugs. This carbon buildup shortens the life of the spark plug and can lead to start-up difficulties, reduced acceleration, engine fire and check engine lights. Causes of carbon buildup in spark plugs include dirty air filters, excessive driving at low speeds, too much fuel/air mixture, dirty fuel injectors, or too long idling of the vehicle.

Improper spark plug clearance

The gap between the center and side electrodes of the spark plug needs to be perfectly calibrated to ensure optimal engine performance. Having the right clearance ensures that an arc occurs at the right voltage to ignite the fuel and produce the combustion that keeps the engine running. If the clearance is not set correctly, additional pressure may be applied to the spark plug tip, which can lead to premature corrosion and wear.