Which spark plugs are best for the car

There are several types of spark plugs, but electrode ones are used on automobile engines. The design of such a candle is quite simple and it consists of two electrodes - central and side, contact terminal, insulator, frame, seal. For further info, click here: best spark plugs

The center electrode is connected to a terminal and is supplied with voltage from the ignition coil. But the side electrode is connected to the rim of the candle. Since the frame is metal and is a mass, a breakdown occurs between the positive central electrode and the negative side electrode when voltage is applied, a spark jumps between these electrodes.

The contact terminal is needed to connect the spark plug through high-voltage wires to the ignition coil. It is located at the top of the candle. Previously, a threaded connection was used to connect the pin to the wires. The pin itself had a thread onto which a nut was screwed. The wire with a metal eyelet, which was at its end, was put on the contact wire and clamped with a nut. Snap contacts are now more commonly used.

However, she did not refuse from the threaded connection, it is available, but it is already intended to secure the snap-on contact.

The insulator prevents the possibility of breakdown and spark slipping to ground before the voltage is applied to the central electrode. Typically the insulator is made of ceramic to withstand high temperatures. The central electrode, placed in an insulator, has only two small outputs in the form of a contact lead and a small protruding part at the bottom of the candle. This prevents breakdown. Additionally, there are special ribs on the outer surface that increase the insulation.

The frame is made of metal. In its upper part there are turnkey edges, and in the lower part there is a thread, thanks to which the candle is screwed into the block head. In the lower part, which is also called the candle skirt, a side electrode is welded. In some models of spark plugs, there may be several side electrodes.

The seal is a metal ring on the candle skirt. The task of the sealant is to prevent blow-by of blow-by gases.

There is a small distance between the central and side electrodes - a gap, which the spark breaks through. The size of this gap significantly affects the performance of the plug. With a large gap, the spark will be very weak or even absent, and with a small gap, the spark size will not be sufficient for ignition. A gap of 0.8-1.0 mm is considered normal for a candle.

Tips from an auto mechanic

In addition to the glow number, spark plugs are distinguished by the size of the gap that forms between the electrodes. Its selection and inspection should be approached with special care. It should be optimally suited to the engine conditions of your vehicle.

Another difference is the aforementioned wrench size. The main dimensions are 20.8mm (installed on engines with two valves and cylinders), 16mm (used in four-valve engines) and 14mm (as well as 16mm).

Another good advice from professional auto mechanics is to avoid reusing spark plugs from the same manufacturer. This is due to the deformation of the sealing washer, which, after constant use of the same plugs, will not be able to acquire the original one and will not be able to ensure tightness.

It is better to give preference to multi-electrode plugs, since they have a much longer service life than single-electrode plugs. Nevertheless, their price leaves much to be desired, since it is quite often very high.