Spark Plug System

The Spark Plug System, which is central to the ignition of the gasoline engine, can be divided into parts:

1. Ignition Process

The working phase runs from upstream to generating power for the engine:

1.Ignition Coil: Ignition coil sends out high voltage

2.Voltage Travel: The current travels through the spark plug cable to the spark plug.

3.Spark Jumps: The current jumps across the gap between the electrodes (Electrode Gap), creating a spark.

4.Air-fuel Mixture Ignites: Spark ignites oil and air mixture in combustion chamber

5.Piston Power Stroke: The explosion pushes the piston down, causing a power stroke.

2. Component Component Breakdown

One spark plug consists of parts that serve different functions:

• Terminal Connection: The top part that receives current from the coil.

• Ceramic Insulator: Ceramic Insulation Leak Down Ground Fire and Cooling

• Center Electrode: The core terminal serves to direct high current to the flamethrower point.

• Metal Shell (Threaded Body): A metal housing with threads for attachment to the cylinder lid and cooling.

• Gasket / Washer: The padding ring prevents compression leakage from the combustion chamber.

• Ground Electrode: The ground pole that marks the end of the current. So that the fire jumps from the core to here.

3. Type of Spark Plug (Types of Spark Plugs)

Divided by the materials used to make electrodes. Which affect lifetime and performance:

• Copper (Copper): Best conductive, but fast wear, cheap, suitable for older cars

• Platinum (Platinum): More durable than copper, providing better performance in modern cars

• Double Platinum: with both core and ground terminal platinum. Extra long life.

• Iridium (Iridium): Strongest, Accurate and Fast Ignitability, Fits High Performance Car

4. Heat Range (Heat Range)

Choosing a spark plug requires looking at the suitability of cooling:

• Hot Plug (Hot Spark Plug): It has a long suspension insulator, keeping heat on the body for a long time, suitable for low-speed or urban vehicles (Stop-and-go)

• Cold Plug (Cold Spark Plug): Has short suspension insulation, allows quick cooling out to the cylinder lid, suitable for all-round cars, race cars, or continuous high-speed vehicles.

5. Common Problems & Symptoms

• Fouled Plug: With Black Soot Stain or Island Oil Stain, Inconvenient Jump Fire

• Worn Electrodes: The terminals wear out until the spacing (Gap) is excessive. Higher voltages are required for ignition.

• Incorrect Gap: Inappropriate spacing, distorting ignition rhythm

• Symptoms expressed: Rough Idle, Abnormal Oil, Hard Start or Hesitation Engine