The Basics of Car Maintenance: How to Tell If a Spark Plug Is Bad

Make Sure Your Car Is in Excellent Condition Before Relocating

Moving to another state and bringing your vehicle often means you’ll need to consider getting professional services to ship your car cross country. This process is quite straightforward but requires patience, dealing with a lot of paperwork, and above all, experienced movers that will transport an operable and functional car to your new home.

When starting from scratch in a new place, it’s always a good idea to organize and declutter all your belongings, toss old and broken ones, or repair those you still use and love. The same goes for your car. Bringing it to the new city in excellent condition will spare you from additional worries and expenses. Adjusting to a new environment is a stressful process that people generally don’t like, so why complicate it further?

There are a few essential maintenance items you shouldn’t neglect as a car owner as they can cause plenty of problems if they’re faulty. Let’s find out what these items are, how they work, and how to identify symptoms of potential problems. Our relocation tips will help you spot a potential problem easily before your trip and give you the answer to the question “How do you know when to replace a spark plug?” before you relocate to a new state.

What Is a Spark Plug?

A spark plug is a part of an engine that produces a spark that makes the fuel burn. Simply put, it keeps your motor running strong and smooth. Spark plugs are designed to transmit an electrical signal from the ignition coil to make a spark. This further ignites the air-fuel combination inside the combustion chamber.

Each car requires a particular type of these devices made from specific materials and a gap set by a mechanic during installation. It’s recommended to service them every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, depending on your car model. Some newer vehicles, SUVs, and trucks boast advanced combustion systems that seemingly make this replacement unnecessary. Still, if specific symptoms occur, they shouldn’t be ignored since they are relevant indicators that something is wrong.

Learn More About the Various Types of Spark Plugs

People usually think that all plugs are the same. But, those who are a bit more familiar with the ignition system know there are several types of these devices. You should choose the plugs your car manufacturer recommends. Let’s take a look into the details and find out what they are suitable for:

• Solid copper plugs – These plugs have a central electrode made of nickel alloy, which is soft and not very durable, so it won’t last long. They are best to use in older vehicles without high electrical needs.
• Iridium plugs – These are more expensive but will last the longest. Their center electrode is small, meaning they use less voltage to produce an electric current.
• Platinum components – These are similar to those made of copper, but there’s one difference. Their center electrode has a platinum disc connected to its tip area. That being said, the platinum devices are more durable – they can last as many as 100,000 miles. Another advantage is the reduction of debris buildup thanks to the possibility of generating more heat. These are recommended for new cars with an electronic distributor ignition system.
• Double platinum plugs – These plugs are recommended for waste spark systems. These systems are not affected by rain or dampness.

How to Tell if a Spark Plug Is Bad?

Luckily, these components don’t require replacement very often, and they can go many miles for years before the time comes to change them. Their durability depends on their condition and type, your vehicle, and your driving habits. As time goes by, the spark plug ages and undergoes wear and tear despite the material it’s made of.

In addition to visual inspection, which should be performed occasionally, there are also a few signs of worn plugs. You can hear or feel them. You will notice your vehicle has trouble starting, has poor performance, or produces constant and unusual noises, like pinging or rattling.

Failing Ignition System – What Are the Symptoms

Appropriate and timely maintenance improves your car’s longevity, creating a better driving experience at the same time. In case you forget to take your car in for a regular checkup, it can start showing symptoms to inform you it’s time to replace the spark plug. Most commonly, these symptoms are:

• The car is hard to start,
• The motor misfires,
• The vehicle gets poor fuel economy,
• Rough engine idle,
• The car has difficulties accelerating,
• The engine produces a loud noise,
• The check motor light is on.

An Ignition Problems Test With a Bluetooth Scanner Will Enable Accurate Car Diagnostic

Suppose you cannot visit your mechanic and your car is exhibiting some of the above-mentioned symptoms. In that case, the best solution is a Bluetooth scanner that tests your combustion system, providing you with a complete diagnosis. How does it work? It’s simple to use, and you can easily test ignition circuit continuity at each cylinder by following these steps:

• With the engine off, remove all the relevant wiring,
• Attach the black connector,
• Put the metal end of the tester into the wire,
• Try to start your motor,
• When the ignition circuit is complete, you’ll notice a bulb flashing.

Changes in the Plug Itself That Indicate Breakdown

Another useful DIY diagnostic method is determining the condition of your engine by looking at your plugs. If you’ve already done this, you know how to differentiate between bad and good ones. But don’t worry if you’re not familiar with this process. We’ll help you find out if there’s some more life left in yours thanks to these six stages of wear and tear:

• Normal wear – If the center electrode has worn away, that’s normal. This means that your motor is in excellent condition, but you should consider changing your plugs.
• Black and dry – If this happens only on one cylinder, the problem is a leaky fuel injector. But, in case your cylinders are covered in this black stuff, your car is probably dealing with the overall fuel control problem.
• Clean plug – A spotless device usually means that your vehicle’s coolant steam cleans the tip of the device with its steam.
• Slight discoloration – If the color is slightly different, the electrode has worn out evenly, and there are no visible deposits, which means a normal condition, and you don’t need to do anything.
• Sandy electrode – With a dry and sandy look of the component, your car is probably facing a bad valve seals problem, meaning the oil is leaking into the motor and soaking valve seals or gates.
• Greasy plug – This is the worst possible scenario because it means there is an oil leak from the engine bottom going around the piston. If this happens, your motor will definitely need some major repairs.

To help you get a better image of these wear-and-tear stages, we suggest you take a look at the video below which shows how to figure out the condition of your spark plug.

How Often Should You Change the Spark Plug?

If you have your car owner’s manual, you’ll find the answer to this question there – a replacement is usually required every 30,000 miles. You can expect increased engine problems by neglecting this fact, such as uneven idling, misfiring, or lack of proper acceleration. Replacing the device on a four-cylinder engine is usually a straightforward task, and you should be able to handle the whole replacement yourself. However, some motor models require professional help, so if that’s the case with yours, contact your mechanic.

Changing Takes Longer With a V6 or V8

With V6 or V8 engines, replacing plugs gets more complicated. These motors may be more challenging due to the working space, which is tighter and crammed with too many electronics. That’s why you should let your mechanic take care of this issue.

Honda CR-V Odyssey Needs Replacing Every Seven Years

Plugs in the Honda CR-V Odyssey are among the best ones. They are made from platinum and require replacement every seven years or 105,000 miles. But, what will happen if you forget or just leave these components in your car longer than recommended?

It’s good to know that even replacing at 100,000 miles can be troublesome because of carbon and corrosion that have accumulated there over the years. Then, there’s the possibility of damaging the threads in aluminum cylinder heads. Don’t wait until the last minute to replace the component, regardless of its long life (iridium- or platinum-tipped). If there is a problem, it can be replaced earlier, and that’s how you’ll preserve the vital functions of the whole machine.

What Are the Benefits of Getting a New Plug?

In addition to starting your car without a hitch, having a new plug will lead to consistent and optimal work of the combustion system. Your fuel economy can increase up to 30%. Dealing with jerky starts will be left in the past – your car will get smooth and energetic starts.

With a New Plug, Your Car Is Ready for Shipping With USA Auto Transport

If you’re planning to move a vehicle to another state and you have checked your spark plug, there’s nothing to worry about. With a reliable auto transport company, you can rest assured that your vehicle will reach your new destination in perfect condition, no matter whether you opt for an open trailer or a bit safer option of enclosed auto transport.

USA Auto Transport is here to help you with all your car shipping needs. We are a team of experienced movers, and our car shipping company has a stellar reputation in the relocation industry – our reviews can attest to that. Contact us today and request a free quote for our outstanding car shipping and moving services.