What does a Bad Spark Plug Look Like? Replacement Process

A spark plug is present in a vehicle to ignite the fire so that the combustion material could burn to run the engine. However, in some instances, it can be damaged or become faulty. To know and understand that this problem has happened with it, you have to know what does a bad spark plug look like?

In this article, you will learn about what does a worn spark plug looks like. But also, its symptoms afterward and how we can fix it. So, stay with us until the end to fully know this crucial problem.

What does a bad spark plug look like?

Any of you must wonder what a faulty spark plug looks like. Well, the spark plug looks like a tiny lightning bolt. It is very small if you observe. However, the electricity that a plug emits to ignite the fire and kick-start your vehicle is insane. It can keep up the power supply for the engine of the car to keep on running. You should put the pistons at work. The plugs will make a smooth burn of liquid and fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.

Thus, you should identify the condition of vehicle's spark plugs by looking those. You can notice pitting on central electrode of a bad spark plug for which you may not get good performance. Black carbon deposits can also be found on a faulty spark plug due to oil on spark plug threads. Besides, you can find whitish spots on spark plug for engine blown head gasket.

Keep in mind that the sparking plug health is crucial for working a car’s engine. If it has issues, the engine will not respond to you at any cost. Lack of proper sparking activity or any instruction can result in misfires and cold starting. This will happen when you are accelerating your vehicle. Other than this, the lack of power supply will result in a poor fuel economy. In this way, the ride won’t be comfortable, and there will be a lot of fuel wastage. You don’t want that right? So, keep close observation to ensure timely replacement of the defective spark plug.

Symptoms of Defective Spark Plug

You will have many problems when the spark plug goes bad. Here is the list of the most prominent and dangerous ones in the section below:

1. There can be a considerable drop in the mileage of vehicles when there is a faulty spark plug.
2. There will be a reduction in performance. You will observe the sluggish movement of vehicles along with poor fuel economy.
3. The starting process of the vehicle will become difficult, jerky, and feels disjointed.
4. You won’t accelerate the car because less than the required power will not let the engine run.
5. Misfires will become common when there is fouled spark plugs. Along with this, there will be difficulty in starting.
6. Besides, the above symptoms, the electrode can also be faulty or worn out. So, this is also an indication of a faulty spark plug so fix electrodes as soon as you find out.
7. A sharp knock-like sound and rattling are most common when the performance of the parts is not up to the mark.
8. The engine can be carbon fouled, and oil deposits accumulation are some other symptoms that show the worn spark plug condition.

How to replace a problematic spark plug for a car?

When you identify that your car has faulty, old, or broken spark plugs, immediately replace or clean the plugs. This is the best way to fix this problem. A faulty one can never perform at 100 percent even if you fix the problem. You will eventually need new spark plugs, so why not replace them once you inspect their problematic output.

The blow steps can help you to change spark plugs :

1. Remove the Wire

You have to start by removing all the wire attachments of the spark plug with the car’s internal combustion engine. You can use the wire pliers to help in the removal process. You have to also simultaneously remove the boot terminals to avoid any damage when you change spark plugs.

If you find that some damage is done during removal, do not worry. You can fix it by replacing and reinstalling them back. But you should make sure that this is done because keeping the damaged plug will misfire. It can also damage the ignition components.

2. Remove the Coil

There are rubber insulating boots in the good spark plugs. They are there with coil attachments in the whole part. You can start by removing the electrical connections of these ignition coils. All you need to do is to push and press, the coil will come out.

Once you are done with this, you can remove the pressure, the bolt will come down automatically. You can also twist the coil back and forth; making the removal easier. They pull straight up and then come out immediately.

3. Unscrew the Plug

You have to create the spark plug gap to replace it by unscrewing it after uncoiling and unwiring. A simple socket can be of great use in this process. You have to remember that the thread does not break while unscrewing it.

Even a tiny carelessness leads to damage in the cylinder head threads. In some vehicles, the manufacturing company might give additional steps to remove them. You must check the manual too and follow the exact steps that lead to the safe removal of screws from the plug.

FAQs

1. What color is a burnt spark plug?

It usually becomes black when the function is faulty or when it is broken due to some reason. This is because of the deposition of soot on the electrodes and insulators. Other than this, the spark plug electrode burned away, showing such dark color.

2. How do you check spark plugs without removing them?

You can check it by observing the symptoms. Even the rattling sound or knocking can indicate its presence. Also, when your engine is facing difficulty in starting, you can actually see that it is faulty without removing it. There are some other symptoms that you can observe without taking them out, and see how it is doing. You can also check the spark plug color chart to see if it is normal or different from it.

3. Why are my spark plugs wet with oil?

An engine piston contains different components like compression rings and oil control rings as well. When any of these components wear out or break, the oil will enter the chamber. This will result in a deposit of ash on the spark plug along with the wetness of oil on spark plugs thread.

4. What does white corrosion on spark plugs mean?

When the spark plug diagnosis is done as it is broken or faulty, you can sometimes observe white corrosion on it. This is an indication that the plug is running too hot. The reasons could also be the incorrect working of the ignition parts, a loose one, or maybe incorrect timing of fuel ignition. Thus, you will see white spark plugs in vehicle engine systems.

5. What does a yellow spark plug mean?

Glazing in the spark plug leads to the yellow color. This happens when the acceleration of the engine is too sudden and the temperature of the engine rises suddenly. As the already deposition of combustion material in the spark plug does not have time to go out. This is how the product appears yellow in color.

Conclusion

We are sure that the above information is enough for you to understand what does a bad spark plug look like. You can now tell the spark plug status immediately when the vehicle shows a hidden or visible symptom. You can both fix this problem independently, or take professional services. If you have no specific expertise in this field, we recommend professional help. Then, you can avoid any damage to vehicle components, and the engine.