Compared with oil, engine filter and air filter, which are often replaced in maintenance, spark plugs are not often mentioned. However, if spark plugs are aged, the overall performance of the vehicle will be affected, so spark plugs must be replaced regularly. How long is the replacement cycle of spark plug?
What are spark plugs used for?
First, let's understand what the spark plug is used for. It is a component of the gasoline engine ignition system that introduces high voltage current into the cylinder to generate electric spark to ignite the combustible mixture; It is mainly composed of connection nut, insulator, connection screw, center electrode, side electrode and shell, and the side electrode is welded on the shell.
In short, the running of the automobile engine needs to burn fuel, and the spark to ignite the fuel is produced by the spark plug, so the quality of the spark plug affects the working effect of the engine.
The most important factor is the gap between the electrodes of the spark plug. If the gap is too small, the spark will be weak, and it is easy to leak electricity due to carbon deposition; If the gap is too large, the required breakdown voltage will increase, the engine will not start easily, and "misfire" is likely to occur at high speed.
How many kinds of spark plugs are there? How much is it?
Structurally, the spark plug consists of an insulator and a metal housing, which is threaded and screwed to the engine cylinder; There is a central electrode in the metal housing, which is insulated from the metal housing. The high-voltage wire is connected through the wiring nut. Some spark plugs are also welded with side electrodes under the metal housing. The gap between the central electrode and the side electrode is very small, and the high-voltage electricity breaks down the air between the electrodes, generating an electric spark to ignite the combustible mixture. Because the working environment of spark plug is high temperature and high pressure, its material and manufacturing process are required to be very high.
At present, the main spark plug in the market is the electrode materials, which can be divided into nickel alloy, silver alloy, yttrium gold, platinum, iridium gold, iridium platinum spark plugs and many other types. In terms of specific price, four nickel alloy spark plugs can be purchased for a few dozen pieces, and they are brand names; A set of nickel yttrium alloy spark plugs is about 100 pieces; The price of single platinum spark plug and double platinum spark plug is slightly expensive, between 200 and 300 yuan; The price of platinum iridium alloy and iridium spark plug is higher, about 300~400 yuan.
How many kilometers do you need to replace the spark plug?
Generally speaking, the replacement cycle of spark plug is directly related to its material. The replacement cycle of nickel alloy spark plug is 20000~30000 km, that of nickel yttrium alloy spark plug is 30000 km, that of single platinum spark plug is 40000 km, that of double platinum spark plug is 60000 km, that of iridium spark plug is 80000 km, and that of platinum iridium alloy spark plug can reach 100000 km. If it is difficult to start the vehicle when it is cold, there is a distinct sense of frustration, idle speed jitter, and the acceleration performance is reduced during driving, you should consider whether it is time to replace the spark plug.
Can you not replace the spark plug?
The general working process is to remove the ignition coil first, and then use a special wrench to remove the spark plug. The surrounding dust must be cleared in advance. The following is about cleaning spark plugs. There are many ways to clean spark plugs. Many magical netizens have even developed unconventional methods, such as white vinegar, toilet cleaner, and toothpaste. However, generally, the spark plugs are cleaned with organic solvents such as carburetor cleaner. They can be soaked for a period of time, then brushed, dried, and loaded again.
Small story: For car owners who want to change spark plugs, I have another suggestion. Don't blindly pursue the alloy materials of spark plugs, let alone simply think that the more expensive spark plugs are, the better the combustion effect of the engine. This is a mistake. The combustion effect of the engine is related to many factors, and spark plugs are only one of them. However, using better alloy spark plugs can greatly extend the replacement cycle.
