How To Change Your Vehicle’s Spark Plugs
You will find that spark plugs are very important when it comes to keeping your car running. They need to be not only changed periodically but taken care of and kept clean. Make sure that you know when they need to be replaced and what you need to do in order to replace them so that you can keep your car running as smoothly as possible for a long time. Changing your spark plugs is something that is very easy to do and can end up being extremely beneficial to the running of your vehicle.
In this article, we are going to know how you can change your vehicle’s spark plugs. It’s not a rocket science. If you have a minimum basic of your car, you can change your car’s spark plugs.
When to change spark plugs:
- The engine has a rough idle
Your engine idles when it is stationary and in this position, it produces around 1000rpm. The sound of the engine is not good enough. It is either whining or constant and smooth but if your spark park is not working, your engine will make a rough and jittery sound while producing larger vibrations through the car.
- Having trouble starting your car?
If your car is not starting, or you are facing trouble to start your car, it may happen due to the shortage of fuel or having a flat battery. But, it also may happen due to having bad or worn spark plugs. If your plugs cannot produce the required spark to start the car, then your car won’t start at all. These faulty spark plugs are really bad for your battery to drain. If it happens to your car, no doubt, changing the spark plugs are the best solution.
- Your engine misfires
If your engine is misbehaving and misfiring that means it cannot start properly. In that case, your car can halt for a fraction of a second and then continue. That means it’s not functioning smoothly. If you’re facing this difficulty, you must change your spark plugs as soon as possible.
- Engine Surging
If your car sucks in more air than usual in the combustion process, your car can jerk and continuously start and stop. That means, your car’s engine is surging and not working inefficiently. A dangerous situation can arise if this occurs in traffic.
- High fuel consumption
High fuel consumption is another thing for that you need to change your spark plugs. If your spark plugs have problems, you’ll see the decrease of your fuel economy by up to 30% due to incomplete combustion. If you notice that, your car is consuming more fuels than usual, all you’ll need to do is have your spark plugs changed.
- Lack of acceleration
Another reason to change your spark plug is the lack of acceleration. If your car is accelerating poorly than as usual, or you need to put extra effort to pull itself along, then you need to change your spark as soon as possible.
Ways to Change The Car’s Spark Plugs
Detect The Spark Plug Location
The first thing that you are going to need to do is to know where exactly the spark plugs are. You will need to open up the hood of your vehicle and then pull on the release catch that will be on the inside of your vehicle. This will allow you to open it. Once you have successfully opened the hood of your vehicle, you are ready to find the spark plugs.
If you have an engine that is a 4 cylinder, then they will be on top of your engine block where the cylinders will be upright along a line. If working on a V engine, then they are going to be in 2 different rows sitting at an angle. HT leads will cover the spark plugs so that they cannot be easily seen. Your manufacturer’s handbook will be able to provide you with the exact location if you can’t easily locate them.
Determine the orders of your HT leads
It is important that you understand what order that your HT leads are in and they are made so that they can fire on your cylinders in a very specific order so that your vehicle can run properly. Whenever you are getting your leads replaced, you will need to make sure that they go along with the right spark plug. You will need to make sure that you always start with the lead that is on the right side first. Once the HT lead has been pulled off, then remove your spark plug where it will be exposed. A socket, as well as a wrench, will be necessary for removal.
Inspection of the spark plug
Once you have removed the spark plug, inspect it thoroughly. Clean the dirt off of it and make sure that the gap that is at the base of it is the right size. The size that the gap should be will have a lot to do with the make and the model of your vehicle. Make sure that you know the right size of it before determining if it needs to be replaced. A gapping tool or a feeler gauge will be able to set the necessary gap for you.
Replacing the New Spark Plug
Whenever you are screwing the spark plug back into place, make sure that it is threaded properly. This is something that can be very difficult and expensive to have to repair if it is not threaded the way that it should be. Over tightening can also be something that can damage your thread.
Final Words
You will find that spark plugs are very important when it comes to keeping your car running. They need to be not only changed periodically but taken care of and kept clean. Make sure that you know when they need to be replaced and what you need to do in order to replace them so that you can keep your car running as smoothly as possible for as long as possible. Changing your spark plugs is something that is very easy to do and can end up being extremely beneficial to the running of your vehicle.
