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Spark Plug

Posted in Kart Racing Parts by admin on January 28, 2010

Spark Plug

How to Check Your Spark Plugs

A spark plug is a device which uses electric sparks to function. It is fitted on the head of cylinders found in engines and is used to ignite aerosol gasoline that has been compressed through the creation of sparks. It has a center electrode that is insulated and has been joined by use of a wire which is also insulated to the ignition coil on the outside or a magneto circuit thereby forming a spark gap in the cylinder through the use of a grounded terminal that can be found beneath the plug. Spark plugs are required to be replaced when at least 20000 miles have been covered, usually when the car has been scheduled for routine maintenance. They should be checked every 10, 000 miles or annually. It is important to note that a spark plug not functioning properly will affect the status of the car significantly as they could lead to the car not starting. Therefore, it is very important that they are checked regularly and are properly maintained even as one routinely maintains the other parts of the car.

When one is looking to inspect the spark plugs in the car, to check for their viability some steps should be followed. Firstly, one will need to locate the lever which is situated underneath the dash board and pull on it so as to release the hood. The second step is to walk to the car’s front, reach beneath the hood, hold the latch and give it a squeeze to unlock the hood then locate your spark plug. They are usually in a row along on one engine side and are connected to some wires which are very thick. Alternatively in other engines such as the V- shaped ones, the plugs are usually located on either side. One is strongly advised to change these plugs one by one and to always return its wire before changing another one. The procedure involves first of all pulling off a single such wire at the point where it is connected with the plug. At the side of the wire where the plug is located, there is some form of rubber. This is the part that the spark plug should be pulled from. If one pulls a bit higher than that then they risk damaging the wire as it can separate from the junction.

After a spark plug has been pulled, one should first of all remove the dirt and any unwanted material that may be surrounding the plug. This is in order to avoid debris falling in your cylinder when the plug has been disengaged. The plug is removed by turning in an anticlockwise manner using the spark plug socket and ratchet. If the plugs can not be easily accessed, one will need a ratchet extension. It is advisable to use one with a head that is flexible. After this, one can now check the plug to see if it needs to be replaced. A spark plug that is still in good condition should have a light coating of some deposits that are grayish brown in color.

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