| November 4th, 2008 by admin |
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How To Replace Your Car’s Spark Plugs
How To Replace Your Car’s Spark Plugs
Cars have changed dramatically over the past several decades. Many of the parts that were once essential to your car operating properly have been eliminated or replaced by more efficient parts. However, the spark plug seems to have earned a perpetual place under the hood. Most cars still use them and nobody has figured out a way to make them last forever. Over time, they stop sparking properly and need to be replaced. Fortunately, they’re cheap and can be swapped out quickly and easily. Below, I’ll explain the basics of replacing your car’s spark plugs.
First Steps
You’ll need to have a ratchet wrench and a 12-inch socket in order to perform the job. Once you lift the hood, look at your car’s engine. If it’s a 4-cylinder, you’ll likely see rubber coils traversing the top of the engine. At the end of each coil is a spark plug (though you won’t be able to see them). V-8’s usually have the plugs split evenly on both sides of the engine while V-6’s might be on top or on the sides.
You’re going to remove and replace the spark plugs one at a time. Grab the first one as closely to the engine as you can in order to extract it. A note of caution: be careful that you don’t accidentally pull the spark plug’s wire out from its connection. If you do, plan to replace the wire (and they’re not cheap).
Next, use your ratchet wrench and socket extension to pull the old spark plug from its housing. If you compare the old spark plug with its replacement, you’ll probably see some black material on the end that is normally inserted into your car’s engine. I’ll explain what that is in a moment. For now, insert the butt end of your new spark plug into your socket extension. Then, maneuver the threaded portion into its housing in the engine.
The plugs are more fragile than you might think, so be careful when inserting the threaded portion. Start screwing it in manually. Once you’re certain that it’s properly fitted, use the ratchet to tight it down. You’ll perform the same process for each spark plug that you’re replacing.
Why You Need To Replace Spark Plugs
The purpose of spark plugs is to receive an electrical current and output a spark, creating a combustion process for your engine. These sparks occur within the plug between metal electrodes. Each spark burns the metal. After awhile, a significant portion of the metal is burned away. The black material that you noticed on the threaded end of your old spark plug is evidence of the metal being burned. Eventually, so much of the electrodes is burned that your car will begin to misfire. You might also have trouble starting the engine.
To prevent any performance issues that are related to your spark plugs, plan to change them every 30,000 miles. They may last much longer, but they’re inexpensive. Plus, once you’ve changed them once, you’ll be able to do so quickly in the future.
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