As soon as the engine’s pistons start moving, your car begins to power up. The electricity crosses a tiny gap, which starts the ignition for the combustion that your car needs to start up. Spark plugs give a tiny spark of electricity – the spark that will allow your car to start. You’ve probably heard of a spark plug, but do you know how it works?
DENSO Iridium Long Life Spark Plug: Best Iridium Spark Plug. Autolite Double Platinum Spark Plug: Best Double Platinum Spark Plug. NGK G-Power Platinum Spark Plug: Best Single Platinum Spark Plug. ACCEL 0736 Copper Core: Best Copper Spark Plug. Without further ado, let’s take a look at what a spark plug is, and how it works. We’ll also recommend some of the best spark plugs out there and show you what to look out for when you’re shopping for a new one. In our guide to finding the best spark plugs for your car, you’ll find out more about how spark plugs work, and about the different types, you can buy (and their pros and cons). With a bad spark plug, or a very old, worn spark plug, your car’s performance could drastically drop – it can impact everything from start-up to power, fuel economy, and could even cause strange rattling and knocking sounds. Without a spark plug, your car won’t be able to start at all. The Best Spark Plugs for Your Car – A Complete Guide!Ī spark plug is a small, relatively cheap part of your car – but it is a vital part of the system. Quick Tips for Buying the Perfect Spark Plugs. Denso (3297) SK20R11 Iridium Spark Plug. Best Iridium Spark Plug – DENSO Iridium Long Life Spark Plug. Denso (4504) PK20TT Platinum TT Spark Plug. Bosch (4501) FGR8DQI Platinum IR Fusion Spark Plug. Best Double Platinum Spark Plug – Autolite Double Platinum Spark Plug. Best Single Platinum Spark Plug – NGK G-Power Platinum Spark Plug. Best Copper Spark Plug – ACCEL 0736 Copper Core. Sticking to Manufacturer Recommendations. What to Look for When Buying a New Spark Plug. How the Manufacturer Decides Which Spark Plugs to Use. Hot Plugs and Cold Plugs – What’s the Difference?. The Best Spark Plugs for Your Car – A Complete Guide!. Of course, you should only remove and install spark plugs in a cool engine, because metal expands when hot and thread damage can happen. The spark plug holes must always be clean prior to installation otherwise, you may be twisting against dirt or debris and the spark plug will be under-torqued, even though your torque wrench indicates the proper torque.
In short, over torquing can cause severe engine damage. The most dangerous result is pre-ignition when the heat dissipation is reduced due to metal shell stretching by over torquing. Stretching of the spark plug metal shell can break the inner gas seals or cause a fracture in the spark plug insulator. Over torque can cause the metal shell of the plug to stretch. Proper torque specs for both aluminum and cast-iron cylinder heads are listed below. As a result, the firing end of the spark plug can overheat and pre-ignition can occur.
A spark plug that is under-torqued will not be fully seated in the cylinder head and heat dissipation will be slowed. Torque directly affects the ability of the spark plug firing end to dissipate heat to the cylinder head. Torque is one of the most critical aspects of spark plug installation.