Spark Plugs Diagnostic Chart




DIAGNOSTIC CHART

Normal

 

(Life in case of normal use)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A worn spark plug not only wastes fuel but also

 

 

strains the whole ignition system because the

 

 

expanded gap requires higher voltage.

 

 

It also reduces the engine's efficiency, resulting

 

 

in reduced fuel economy and increased exhaust

 

 

emissions. Moreover, it contributes to pollution

Using Unleaded Petrol

 

generated by exhaust gas.

 

 

 

SYMPTOMS

 

 

CAUSES

 

REMEDY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Hard starting

 

 

 

• Rich mixture

 

• Check float level

• Misfiring

 

CARBON

 

• Retarded ignition

 

• Check choke

• Black exhaust smoke

 

 

• Low compression

 

• Check ignition timing

 

 

FOULING

 

• Too cold a spark plug

 

• Check air cleaner

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Check compression

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Replace spark plug with correct heat range

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Hard starting

 

 

 

• Worn rings

 

• Replace worn components

• Misfiring

 

 

 

• Worn piston

 

• Replace spark plug with correct heat range

• Grey / white exhaust smoke

 

OIL FOULED

 

• Leaking valve stem seals

 

 

• Loss of oil

 

 

 

• Over-filled oil sump

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Misfiring

 

 

 

• Fuel quality

 

• Replace spark plug

• Hard starting

 

 

 

• Oil leakage

 

• Change fuel brand

• No starting

 

DEPOSIT

 

• Engine operating period

 

• Repair engine (if need be)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Misfiring

 

BREAKAGE

• Engine noise

 

 

 

OF THE

 

 

INSULATOR

 

 

 

• Sudden change in temperature (Thermal shock)

 

• Replace spark plug

• Oil leakage

 

• Check engine condition

• Internal engine stress

 

• Repair engine (if need be)

 

 

 

• "Pinking" under acceleration or

 

 

 

• Lean mixture

 

• Check jets are not clogged

climbing hills

 

 

 

• Advanced ignition timing

 

• Check float level

• Engine run-on after switching off

 

OVERHEATING

 

• Too hot a spark plug

 

• Check ignition timing

 

 

 

 

 

• Replace spark plug with correct heat range

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Misfiring

 

 

 

• Foreign particles inside cylinder

 

• Replace spark plugs

• Loss of power

 

 

 

• Broken or damaged valve

 

• Remove foreign or damaged components

• Hard starting

 

DAMAGED

 

 

 

 

• Noise in engine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Hard starting

 

 

 

• Spark plug incorrectly torqued

 

• Replace spark plugs

• Misfiring

 

UNDER

 

• Spark plug only handtightened

 

• Tighten spark plug to correct torque

• Black exhaust smoke

 

 

• Dirt or carbon in threads of cylinder head

 

• Replace damaged components

 

 

TIGHTENING

 

 

 

• Check compression on all cylinders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Hard starting

 

 

 

• Normal electrode wear

 

• Replace spark plug with correct heat range

• Reduced fuel economy

 

 

 

• ± 0.03mm / 1 OOOkm

 

 

 

 

WORN

 

• Fuel deposits (carbon, lead, additives & salts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Hard starting

 

 

 

• Lean mixture

 

• Replace with correct heat range spark plug

• Misfiring

 

 

 

• Advanced ignition timing

 

• Check air / fuel mixture

 

 

MELTING

 

• To hot heat range

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Misfiring

 

BREAKAGE

 

• Under tightening

 

• Correct tightening torques

• Loss of power

 

 

 

 

 

• Noise in engine

 

OF THE

 

 

 

 

 

 

GROUND

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELECTRODE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Misfiring

 

FOULING

 

• Excess MMT and Ferrocene

 

• Replace spark plugs with correct heat range

• Hard starting

 

 

• Incorrect heat range

 

• Get to 450°C self cleaning temperature

• Reduced fuel economy

 

BY FUEL

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADDITIVE