Regardless of the type of spark plug used by your car, there is a good chance that without proper engine maintenance you will experience spark plug fouling. Dirty spark plugs cause misfiring, rough idling and a general deterioration in an engine’s performance. However, even with proper maintenance, spark plugs can become fouled due to unforeseen engine problems.
In addition to normal wear and tear, contamination can lead to the signs that it’s time to replace your spark plugs. These symptoms can take many forms, each with different causes ranging from ash deposits to oil pollution and carbon buildup. Auto parts champion says that oil pollution is the result of oil entering the combustion chamber.
“Oil deposits coat the spark plug, preventing the spark from firing across the gap. Instead, it takes the shortcut to ground through the oil. Usually a sign of advanced engine wear.”
Fuel pollution causes similar problems to oil pollution and usually results from a fuel/air mixture that is rich in fuel. Dirty injectors, clogged air filters or bad sensors can cause the fuel/air mixture to malfunction and lead to fuel contamination.
Carbon pollution is another problem that can result from a rich fuel/air mixture. It is sometimes caused by a weak ignition spark, using a spark plug with a heat range that is too cold, low-quality gasoline or frequent short trips. The common theme among these types of contamination is that they all disrupt the spark needed to ignite the fuel/air mixture in the combustion chamber. This means that the fuel remains completely or partially unburned.
How to prevent spark plug contamination
If you’re just trying to do some yard work or get a dirt bike back to the trailhead, cleaning and reusing old spark plugs may do the trick. However, replacing dirty plugs is a better long-term solution. Good steps to prevent spark plug fouling altogether include keeping up with your vehicle’s maintenance and replacing faulty sensors.
Shop owners Mag say:
“If the mass airflow sensor or oxygen sensors do not accurately report the air entering the engine or the oxygen content in the exhaust stream, this can cause a runaway condition that allows carbon to foul the spark plugs.”
Carbon, in the form of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, is produced naturally by burning gasoline during the combustion process. However, in some cases, the excess carbon in unburned gasoline forms sticky deposits in the combustion chamber, on spark plugs and on the intake valves of direct injection engines, leading to pollution.
Preventive measures include using high-quality gasoline and reducing the frequency of short trips, as carbon deposits can be reduced as the engine warms up during longer trips. Fuel additives can also help prevent or break down existing carbon deposits.
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