… How do you know when it's time to replace your spark plugs? Should a wax candle smell like honey? Mechanical damage to the skirt.

The candle is an integral part of Orthodox worship, our sacrifice to God. A candle made of pure wax does not smoke, does not harm icons and human health. The topics of our conversation with Alexei Andreyevich Lisovsky, deputy head of the Novosibirsk wax plant, were the technology of candle production and the question of which candles are preferred by Orthodox churches.

- Can you buy candles from the Novosibirsk Wax Factory in Central Russia?

- Yes. After publications in your magazines, we received many calls, many churches have tried our candles and appreciated their quality. So, new regions have appeared in the list of our partners, temples and shops of which buy candles from us. This is mainly Central Russia - in particular, more and more candles are bought by the Moscow store "Orthodox Word" on Pyatnitskaya at the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Veshnyaki, which, in turn, carries out their wholesale. When we spoke last time, we worked mainly with Siberia and the Far East. Now we supply candles to both Kazakhstan and Ukraine, we are negotiating supplies with Belarus and the Orthodox Church in Thailand.

- Do the plant's capacities allow expanding the list of regions?

- Yes. We are pleased to offer cooperation to churches and dioceses throughout Russia. We have adjusted the supply of raw materials - nothing prevents us from increasing production further. We have worked out schemes of transport supplies: for example, candles arrive in Moscow in three days, in Khabarovsk - in six days

- What new products do you have?

- We began to produce bishop's candles - at one time we did not produce them, but we receive quite numerous requests to organize their production. We are getting ready to launch the production of deacon and wedding candles. Our main assortment is numbered temple candles and souvenir candles made of foundation that preserve the texture of bee combs. Somehow we started making souvenir candles, but reviews from church shops began to come in that they were selling poorly: people willingly bought a candle, but did not burn them, because it’s a pity, and, accordingly, did not buy new ones. As I said, all our candles are made from pure natural wax, wicks are made from natural cotton.

- You refer to feedback with buyers. Do you communicate a lot with representatives of the temples?

- Our telephones work all day. Waking up at six in the morning, I receive calls from the Far East, then Omsk, Chelyabinsk, later - Moscow and already in the evening - Kaliningrad begin to call.

- And what kind of candles do our parishes prefer?

- Preference is given to classic natural wax candles, unpainted and unflavored. Some people like darker candles - we make them to order for them, but most choose light yellow candles.

- If the candles are not colored - how do they have different colour?

- The only thing we do is we clarify the wax with hydrogen peroxide. The technology is absolutely harmless, it does not affect the quality of the candles, but it makes the wax clean. The wax can range in color from light yellow to dark brown. In Soviet times, it was divided into varieties depending on the degree of purification. Accordingly, higher grade raw materials were more expensive.

In the eighties, the division into varieties was abolished, so most beekeepers now melt the wax a minimum number of times, since some part of the mass is lost with each cleaning. Therefore, we have to additionally clean and lighten the wax.

- Does a wax church candle have to have a strong honey smell?

- Not at all. Not everyone knows that natural wax candles do not have to have a distinct honey aroma. Wax and honey are two different things. Candles made from fresh wax have a strong smell. If the wax has lain a little or is lightened, the smell becomes weak.

Based on an article from the Sacristy magazine No. 38 (spring 2013) of the Rusizdat publishing house, interviewed by Alina Sergeichuk.

Causes:

This is often the cause of severely worn piston rings or cylinder walls.
Oil can also be sucked into the chamber due to excessive clearance in the valve stem guides, or severely worn valve seals.
Worn valve stem seals.
Too "cold" spark plug (inappropriate for the engine temperature regime candles).

What to do:

Check engine compression for possible overhaul.
Adjust valves or replace valve seals.
Replace the plug with a "hotter" one.

Burnt candle

Bubbles on the center tip skirt, molten electrodes, and other signs of heat. A burnt plug means that the spark between the electrodes is at a higher temperature, and the temperature will only rise as the plug wears out further, so it must be replaced as soon as possible.

It is accompanied by a loss of engine power and increased gas mileage. The engine may not stall immediately after stopping the spark (turning off the ignition with the key).

Causes:

Incorrectly adjusted ignition (ignition timing).
Too poor fuel assembly.
Inappropriate temperature mode for the engine plug (too "cold")
Riding with a heavy load.

What to do:

Replace burnt spark plugs (with suitable temperature setting).
Adjust the ignition.

Contamination (glazing) of the skirt

This symptom can cause misfiring for high revs engine. Glossy deposits are usually yellow in color.

Causes:

This symptom shows the use of gasoline with a high content of lead.

What to do:

Reddish skirt

The spark plug skirt is covered with a reddish tint - it is conductive.

Causes:

The increased content of heavy metals in gasoline and their settling on the skirt (and other parts) of the candle.

What to do:

The usual gas station should be replaced.

Mechanical damage to the entire candle

The side electrode has broken off, or even the entire plug has mechanical damage. In this case, the cylinder will most likely not work.

Causes:

Mechanical damage is caused by a foreign object in the combustion chamber.

What to do:

Check the combustion chamber for foreign objects.

Mechanical damage to the skirt

The skirt of the central electrode is broken or has minor mechanical damage.

Causes:

Detonation, as a result of which overpressure was formed, which destroyed the skirt as the weakest part of the working surface of the candle. And the reasons for this detonation:

Incorrectly configured ignition timing.
Defective EGR valve.
Insufficient octane number of gasoline.
Sharp cooling of the candle.
The marriage of the spark plug itself.

What to do:

Adjust the ignition timing.
Check recirculation valve exhaust gases.
Check compliance octane number used gasoline to the characteristics of the car.

The candle has melted

Both or one of the electrodes looks burned out or melted. In this case, the machine may also experience a loss of power.

Causes:

Incorrectly adjusted ignition timing.
Lean fuel / air mixture.
Too "cold" candle in terms of characteristics.

What to do:

Choose a suitable candle if the reason is a mismatch in the temperature regime.
Check the ignition timing.

Side electrode erosion

The side electrode is corroded, or it looks melted, becoming much shorter, not reaching the center electrode along its length.

Causes:

Gasoline with a high content of lead. Lead often acts only on the side electrode, since it is made of a nickel alloy and enters into a chemical reaction with lead, becoming brittle and weak.

What to do:

Change the usual gas station.

Metal "zip" on the outer insulator

On the external insulator (which is located outside the engine when the spark plug is screwed into the engine), there is a wriggling metal strip.

Causes:

This is a result of the spark gap between the spark plug electrodes being greatly expanded due to electrode wear, and the plug requires a much higher voltage. Such lightning on the insulator occurs when the required voltage between the pins of the electrodes is higher than the insulator can hold, as a result of which a spark appears not between the electrodes, but between the body of the candle and the upper contact (where the plug of the candle wires is inserted). Of course, such a condition also appears at the same time due to worn out insulators of the plug itself, which cannot withstand the voltage.

Since higher voltages are required for turbocharged engines, these damage is more likely to occur. It is important to recognize that the plug is consumablewhich must be replaced periodically.

What to do:

Replace spark plug wires and spark plugs themselves.

Red color of the candle body

Do not worry, there is a 99% chance that this is just rust, which appeared as a result of water getting into the groove with candles on the engine housing, for example, after washing the engine or due to poor waterproofing of the engine compartment (no fender liner, for example). Such a plug, however, needs to be replaced as this is a potential problem.

And they serve to ignite the fuel-air mixture in the engine cylinders from an electric spark that forms between the electrodes of the spark plug. The spark plugs must be changed every 30-90 thousand km, which directly depends on the operating conditions of the engine, the type of plugs installed and the materials of their manufacture.

Read in this article

Why is it optimal to change spark plugs ahead of schedule

Malfunctions in the motor indicate the need to check the spark plugs. As already mentioned, spark plugs last from 30 thousand km, but this is only a theory that is based on ideal operating conditions. In practice, the average service life of budget single-electrode spark plugs is no more than 15-20 thousand km. mileage.

The reduction of the planned resource of candles is strongly influenced by the quality of domestic fuel, city driving on low revs, frequent and long run of the motor on idle... For this reason, even the most expensive multi-electrode iridium or platinum spark plugs are recommended to be changed by 15-20 thousand km. earlier than the declared service life. Fake candles or products may also be on sale low quality, which usually do not take care of even 10 thousand km.

Signs of a defective spark plug

To begin with, a serviceable engine must work stably, evenly and steadily both at idle and under load. Complicated starting of the engine, erratic engine idling and driving, increased fuel consumption, decreased power, are a list of the main symptoms that can indicate problems with spark plugs.

Regular inspections are required to check the condition of the spark plugs. It is desirable to produce this procedure parallel to the oil change for maintenance, that is, after 10-15 thousand km. As for the average driver who drives about 30 thousand km. within 12 months, in this case, you should change the usual single electrode spark plugs at least 2 times a year.

How to check spark plugs

Signs of contamination or failure of spark plugs are manifested in the form of interruptions in the operation of the motor, an engine with dirty or problem plugs troit. This is due to the fact that all candles usually do not go out of order at once. Interruptions begin in only one or two cylinders. The first step is to identify the candle that is out of order. There are several ways to test spark plugs:

using an instrument or tester to test spark plugs;
self-check of spark plugs;

To check, the spark plugs must be removed, although there are ways to diagnose spark plugs on the car. Before starting the procedure, which involves removal, you should turn off the ignition and prepare a special spark plug or socket wrench. You will need a tool to unscrew the candles. Then you need to inspect the high-voltage armored ignition wires. These wires usually have a special marking, which contains information about the cylinder number. In the event that there is no such marking, you will need to independently mark affordable way high voltage spark plug wires.

The next step is to remove the tips (caps) from the spark plugs. Please note that you should not pull on the high-voltage wire during this procedure, as you can damage the armored wire. To remove, you must hold on to the tip itself. After removing the candle caps, you can unscrew the candles with a wrench. For V- shaped engines you will need a long powered wrench, similar to a torque wrench. An extended wrench will also work.

During removal, you should remember which cylinder each unscrewed candle corresponds to, since further inspection will determine possible malfunctions not only the spark plugs, but also the engine as to the condition of the spark plugs. Checking the spark plugs should begin with a visual inspection and checking the condition of the insulator, as well as the electrodes. Cracks or melting or other noticeable defects are not allowed. Further, the candles are installed on a special stand or checked by the device. As mentioned above, motorists also check the spark of a candle directly on the car or use a multimeter. ABOUT different ways we will discuss further checks.

Checking spark plugs for spark

To check the spark plug for a spark, you need to alternately disconnect the high-voltage wires that connect the spark plugs and the distributor breaker. This must be done on a running machine. After removing the wire, listen to the engine running. If the operation of the motor has not changed, then this means that it was possible to find the failed element. In the case when, after disconnecting, the motor starts to work even less stable, the test must be continued.

The next way to check the spark on the spark plugs is to remove the high voltage wire and then unscrew the spark plug. Then the candle is inserted back into the cap of the armored wire and brought to the cylinder block. As a result, a distinctly noticeable spark should appear on the candle, which will be accompanied by a characteristic crackle. This method allows you to diagnose the operation of the ignition system, wire and spark plug.

As for checking the spark plug with a multimeter, this method is ineffective and can only detect a short circuit inside the spark plug. For testing, one contact of the tester is applied to the base of the candle (threaded part), and the other to the inlet of the candle. The resulting spark should break through from contact to contact by 3-4 mm.

We add that it is more correct to check the high-voltage ignition wires with a multimeter. This device is able to measure the resistance of the wire, after which it should be compared with the nominal. A voltage drop will indicate the need to replace the armored wire.

Another way is to test the spark plugs with a pistol. This "gun" for checking candles is a test stand available from candle sellers. This equipment allows you to check the spark plugs under pressure, that is, their operating conditions in the engine are partially simulated.

Checking the candle on the stand is carried out as follows:

the spark plug is inserted into the slot;
then a special cap is put on it;
then it remains to press the trigger of the "pistol" to check the candles;

The appearance of a spark on the electrodes and the lighting of the signal lamp with a high degree of probability indicates the serviceability of the spark plug, although this method of verification cannot guarantee complete operability. The point is that the pressure on the bench and in the engine is different. For this reason, a spark plug previously tested at the stand with a good spark may still not work after being installed on the motor. If the candle initially does not work on the stand, then this element should be replaced due to an obvious malfunction.

How to clean spark plugs yourself and set the gap between the electrodes

After removal and external inspection, the spark plug must be carefully cleaned of dirt, soot, carbon deposits and deposits. This can be done mechanically, using a brush that has medium hard bristles. It is also allowed to use an abrasive.

The mechanical method allows for good carbon removal, but the performance of the spark plug usually deteriorates. This cleaning usually results in scratches, which then lead to overheating of the plug. For this reason, it is necessary to clean spark plugs from deposits as delicately as possible.

You can also chemically clean the spark plugs:

the candle is degreased and washed in gasoline;
then the candles are dried for 30 to 60 minutes;
then the candles are placed in a solution of ammonium acetate for 30-40 minutes;

Once removed from the cleaning solution, the spark plugs are cleaned with a soft bristled brush and dried again for about 30 minutes. Cleaning heavily soiled candles will be less effective than mechanically, and will also require more time.

The advantage is the reduced risk of mechanical damage. Completion of cleaning is to check the gap between the spark plug electrodes. The gap between the spark plug electrodes is also assessed after mechanical cleaning.

The gap should normally not differ from the 0.7 mm mark. The specified gap must be checked with a special feeler gauge. If the gap is different, it needs to be adjusted. Spark plug gap adjustment is performed special tool, and the process itself assumes that the side electrode is bent or bent away from the center electrode. We add that bending of the central electrode is prohibited, and bending of the side electrode is carried out with the utmost care.

Engine condition by spark plug color

The serviceability of the engine and spark plugs is determined by the color of the plaque that is present on the electrodes. We will not describe everything possible options diagnosing the condition of the engine by the color of the spark plugs, since this is the topic of a large separate article. We only note that the working candle normally has a light grayish brown coating.

The appearance of black dry soot on the electrode indicates the need to check the internal combustion engine. Such deposits form when the engine is running on a highly enriched mixture. The spark plug can then be cleaned and screwed back into the engine for later use.

Plaque on the spark plug electrode white with a gleam indicates overheating of the spark plugs. This can occur both due to the incorrect selection of spark plugs according to the glow number, and as a result, or the spark plug itself. In the latter case, check the electrode gap. It is impossible to reuse candles with a white coating; a mandatory replacement will be required.

Initially, installing cleaned or new spark plugs into the engine is done by hand. In other words, the candles must be "baited" by hand, that is, carefully screwed into the candle wells without using a key. If the candle is easily screwed in along the thread, then the element can be turned with a wrench until the conical part contacts the cylinder head.

Remember, when tightening the spark plugs, it is highly advisable to accurately observe the tightening torque specified in the technical documentation for a specific type of engine! Overtightening the spark plug can lead to the need for subsequent repairs and other consequences. As for weakly twisted spark plugs, an under-twisted spark plug can cause the engine to malfunction.

If the new spark plugs quickly changed color after installation, overgrown with carbon deposits and again caused engine malfunctions, then the following options are possible:

the spark plugs are incorrectly selected;
a counterfeit or defective product was purchased;
the motor is operated on low quality gasoline or oil;
there are engine malfunctions that quickly disable new candles;

Finally, we add once again that spark plugs, as well as spark plug high-voltage wires are "consumable", that is, they need to be completely changed at regular intervals. If the engine previously had a malfunction that in parallel disabled the spark plugs, then after eliminating such a breakdown of the motor, it is recommended to also replace the spark plug set.

The reasons for their natural and premature wear

The spark plug works under extreme conditions:

high temperature in the working cylinder;
aggressive environment in the form of a mixture of fuel, air and oil;
high ignition pressure;
high voltage and temperature of the electrical spark.

The simultaneous action of these factors leads to an increase in the processes of their natural wear and tear. This process can be significantly accelerated in the following cases:

reduction of compression, wear of valve stem seals due to oil entering the working volume;
incorrect setting of the ignition angle, leading to the formation of increased carbon deposits;
selection of candles inappropriate to the engine brand;
misfire in cylinders;
incorrect gasoline / air ratio in case of flow meter malfunctions, air leaks;
incorrect operation of injectors.

Signs of the need to replace them

The main sign of the need to replace the spark plugs is misfiring (tripping). This is not always associated with candle problems. In order to finally determine the need for their mandatory replacement, the easiest way is to install a knowingly serviceable candle instead of a problematic candle.

It is easiest to identify a possibly faulty spark plug with the engine running. To do this, it is necessary to sequentially disconnect the high-voltage wires (or the connector of the individual ignition coil) from each of them. A non-working cylinder will be the one, when disconnected from which the nature of the engine does not change.

Also signs of the required replacement of spark plugs are:

visual malfunction (contamination, carbon deposits in the gap area, change is normal gray carbon deposits, its moistening, mechanical chips on the insulator);
unstable engine speed;
increased smoke of exhaust gases;
engine detonation;
message or on-board computer.

How long does it take to change the spark plugs

Each manufacturer indicates the period or mileage of the spark plugs' trouble-free operation. This period is calculated for engines with a service life of no more than five years. If the car is equipped with an older engine, the life (mileage) of the spark plugs is reduced.

There is no clear gradation of mileage and timing of replacement spark plugs. Experienced car enthusiasts find it right to produce technical inspection and their replacement before the beginning of each autumn-winter season of operation. If the car is not operated in the cold season, it is rational to control and necessary replacement produce in spring.

Video - when to change spark plugs and why it matters:

Guided by the indications of the car's mileage, the spark plugs should be replaced after 15 - 20 thousand kilometers. Iridium and platinum spark plugs can easily withstand 100,000 km or more, but this is also with a relatively new engine.

Engines internal combustiongas-fired have an increased combustion temperature of the fuel-air mixture, their service life should be reduced by 20-30%. Another factor in a similar reduction in the replacement time for spark plugs is the use of low-quality gasoline.

Their extraordinary replacement is carried out after major and major emergency repairs, long-term parking of the car.

Replacement sequence

Despite the apparent simplicity, this operation should be treated responsibly. Replacement should be done complete set (!) . Partial replacement one or two "prank" candles is possible only for a short time.

Different gap and type of spark plugs, their condition leads to an inevitable failure of ignition timing, increased detonation, and contributes to increased engine wear.

Based on reference data. Do not rely on recommendations like “these are the best”. It is better to purchase products only from trusted manufacturers.

As the main tool for replacing plugs, it is better to use a special long head with rubber inserts to grip the plug to be removed. Before purchasing it, you should measure the diameter of the mounting design hole.

The standard sizes of the candle heads are 16 and 21. The length of the landing zone can be different, up to 180 millimeters in selected models engines. In some cases, you can use a candle tube, but it should be borne in mind that its reliability is less. It is even worse to use special keys from unknown manufacturers in beautiful packages. They can break the first time they are unscrewed.

The sequence for dismantling the candles:

remove the installed high-voltage wires, having previously marked or photographed the sequence of their installation;
if the car has individual ignition coils or a block of coils in the near-eternal space, dismantle them (in V-shaped engines, this process can be complicated by the need to dismantle part of the intake manifold and other engine elements);
be sure to check the areas where the candles are installed for foreign objects (when removing the candle, fragments of insulation, other objects can get directly into the cylinder, cause big problems);
securely install the spark plug wrench, applying medium effort, start unscrewing;
in case of difficulty in the dismantling process, it is necessary to use special means for decoking the threaded connections, do not try to apply excessive force;
remove the candle (if the holding gum has come off, you can do this using the tip of the high-voltage wire);
it is better to install a plug on the vacant hole of the candle or throw a clean rag (there are many cases when nuts, washers and other "surprises" fall there during the repair process, that is, into the cylinder).

Video - replacing spark plugs with Renault Logan and Largus (8 valves):

The installation of new ones is carried out, guided by the rules:

with a preliminary clean cloth, clean the installation place from oils, dirt (if this place is inaccessible for visual control, it is better not to do this: trying to remove dirt from the top of the threaded connection, you can redirect it to the thread);
when installing new ones, it is necessary to check again that the seating depth of the candle matches the old one;
initial direction of the candle to seat produce carefully with a candle key, you should not "throw" the candle, this can change the gap;
preliminary tightening should be done with a little effort, with difficult movement it is necessary to unscrew and start again tightening the candle;
the final "squeezing" of the candle is carried out with an average effort (at the service station, a torque wrench is used for this, the tightening torque is set in the range from 15 to 35 Nm, depending on the thread diameter and the type of fit);

the last stage of installing candles is the installation of high-voltage wires.

Why replace spark plugs when old ones work?

In theory, they can last ten or more years, especially if they are periodically cleaned.

It is believed that spark plugs should be replaced only when there are clear signs of wear, repairs related to ignition problems and the engine as a whole. However, old, albeit serviceable, spark plugs can negatively affect engine performance:

changing the gap area affects the ignition timing;
minor misfires lead to increased detonation, mechanical stress;
contaminated spark plugs can cause breakdown of the ignition coil, high-voltage wires, slider resistor;
improperly working candles affect the environmental performance of the internal combustion engine.

The most dangerous problem with rare replacement of spark plugs is coking of the threaded connection area... This is fraught with the possibility of breaking the thread, damage to the candle during dismantling. In turn, such a malfunction can lead to the need for overhaul, even replacement of the cylinder block.

therefore experienced car enthusiasts before the next autumn-spring season of vehicle operation, their preventive dismantling and installation is performed. At the same time, it is possible (and necessary) to visually inspect them.

Serviceable and serviced spark plugs are one of the main factors for stable performance gasoline engine.

Video - spark plug wear and when to change them:

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Comments on the article:

Egor

The main feature that makes you pay attention to the candles is, of course, "tripping" when the engine is running. Sometimes it helps to flush the plug, remove carbon deposits and check the gap, or replace the plug with a plug of the same model.

Sergey Vasilevich

The basic rule is not to pour any rubbish into the gas tank and everything will be in order with the candles. In general, everything is normally described in the article. And yet, if new car you shouldn't bother with candles at all, even if it's our auto industry.

Sergei

I changed the candles a year ago, in this I decided to visually assess their condition. It turned out to be normal, only the reddish bloom and carbon deposits confused me. Surprisingly, the candles were perfectly cleaned with a rust cleaner (I was still working on the thresholds that day). After soaking in a cleaner, with a brush and a rag, I removed all plaque, shone almost like new. Washed in water and dried. Before installing, I checked the clearance - within normal limits. They are working fine now.

Michael

I check the condition of the candles every six months or after 10 thousand kilometers (whichever comes first). Usually, high-quality candles can easily be nursed for 50 thousand km. When checking, be sure to bend the mass electrodes by putting a 0.8 mm thick probe into the gap. Usually, for 10 thousand km, the electrodes burn out by one to two tenths of a millimeter, so I consider it necessary to adjust the gap.
It is also imperative to clean the insulator from carbon deposits - either we sandblast, or at least mechanically pick it up (carefully), since carbon is a conductor, and with its large thickness, instead of a spark between the electrodes, a short circuit through the carbon will be obtained, and we will get misfires.

Anatoly

On toYoTa engine you cannot get close to the candles and it is difficult to check them yourself. And the master at the car service says that it is not because of that troit ...

Vyacheslav

Now such candles are sold, which does not pass even 10,000 (you have to make a replacement). Only factory ones were able to serve me for 3 years (51 thousand mileage).

Andrew

If the car's engine is new or after overhaul and runs smoothly without breaking, then for a while you can forget about the candles. Unless, as the author of the article objectively recommends, do not forget about threaded connection... Another thing is when the engine "eats" oil. There the carving will not rust. Candles will need to be removed frequently to clean and dry. About a couple of times a month and keep a fresh set of candles in stock.

Alexey

I also have candles for the third year. I can definitely say that you need to choose them carefully. On the market, I would not advise taking them, it is better - in trusted stores.

Ivan Kozin

I am very attentive to the question of choosing candles, high-quality and reliable ones immediately remove a bunch of questions.

Oleg

I always change the candles before winter to start up normally in cold weather. The car is already 10 years old, there were no problems. It is better to change a little thing than to hit it big later.

Sergei

You buy cheap candles for a maximum of a month, you buy expensive candles for a maximum of a year. With this market, damn it, everything will soon work strictly until the end of the warranty period.

Andrew

Most often spark plugs fail due to improper operation. fuel system... Therefore, I rarely change candles.

Vadim

I change the candles strictly according to the regulations: after 15 00 km of run or one year after installation. They never let me down.

Oleg

In order not to find yourself standing in the middle of the road, of course, you need to know the signs of plug failure and how to replace them. Previously on soviet cars, when there was practically no electronics in them, they took out the candle and looked to see if there was a spark on it while the engine was running. Now on modern machines, it is extremely dangerous, you can disable the ignition module, switch, burn the coil. Therefore, I do not recommend using old-fashioned methods. It is best to go to the service on computer diagnostics... True, if you know your car and it is not too fancy, you can take turns removing the wires from the spark plugs and listen to how the engine behaves. If you turn off a working candle, then its nature of work will change, as the experts say, "it will start troit", in Russian the engine will shake strongly. If nothing changes, we change the candle, it jams. If nothing changes again then there is a direct road to the service. And do not buy candles one by one - change the set. When buying candles, be sure to take a vehicle registration certificate (there is a VIN number) so that the seller in the catalog can find needed candles... And it is necessary to think about replacing them when: the engine is "damaged", the power has dropped and the fuel consumption has increased.

Karpukhin Vitya

I believe the spark plugs need to be changed every time the oil is changed. In the end, they do not cost much, and in principle they are consumables. Gone are the days when they were unscrewed to check the gap, clean with sandpaper, ignite on fire. In my opinion, they have even ceased to fake, what's the point of copying a cheap consumable? There are, of course, especially thrifty ones who will drive by candlelight for 30-40 thousand km, as my neighbor in garages will admit. But I still don't understand such savings. It’s better to spend three hundred than to listen to how the engine troit in the morning until it warms up or does not run smoothly at idle.

Dima

There were several problems with candles on a long journey, far from housing. So now I carry a set of new candles with me. And I make a replacement every autumn, before the onset of cold weather. In winter, the most severe operating conditions, so only in autumn.

Dmitriy

We all know well that the candles need to be changed, that the start, operation, efficiency, power, etc. depend on their quality. They are considered to be "consumables" with a limited service life, so the manufacturer of both the car and the candles themselves declares a certain resource for their products.
This figure is highly dependent on the type of spark plug (single electrode, multi-electrode, platinum, iridium, etc.)
For single-electrode candles, the resource is 30 thousand km, for multi-electrode or with a silver electrode, the resource is at least 50 thousand. There are expensive candles with iridium or platinum electrodes that nurture up to 100,000 km. Of course, this is all theoretically within the walls of laboratories, so in practice I change the candles every year in the fall (winter, one of the worst operating conditions). Just write down km. when the candles were set, I think rarely will anyone. Therefore, we do it as conveniently. So I tied this period to winter.
Now about the signs of the need to replace the candles. The first is the operation of the engine intermittently, tripping, etc. We take out the candles and look - most often the electrode burned out. A large carbon deposit on the candles is possible - this is the power system not working properly, there should be no carbon deposits during normal combustion. Defects in the ceramic insulator are also possible, they can be found by the brown mark on the insulator.
And most importantly, I change all the candles in a set so that after a while I will not do it again. Good luck to everyone on the road.

Fed

I completely agree with those who change candles regularly, as they hear, feel a specific noise in their typewriter. Some begin to talk nonsense, such as you can wash, etc. Necessity for inventions is tricky ... You can, of course, wash it out to save some time, but it is better to buy new ones and replace everything at once.

Nikolay

Last time I changed candles after 20,000 km. In the fourth cylinder, the spark plug had a clear breakdown; small stripes appeared on the insulator. I did not change the wires, I did not touch the candles for the entire run. In my opinion, it is cheaper to change the whole kit than to do the flushing and cleaning magic. Much depends on the fuel, so I try not to fill in any nasty things. It is, of course, difficult to guess where it is of high quality and where it is not, but I don’t go to the "left" gas stations.

Oleg

Due to the state of the candles depends correct work engine, so drivers need to know when and how to change spark plugs. Earlier in Soviet times, in the era of the deficit of everything, we cleaned them up, setting a gap, checked if there was a spark on them, sometimes we were electrocuted, but we were not afraid of anything. Now, probably, rarely does anyone do this and do it right, since in modern engine checking a candle for a spark can cost a couple of orders of magnitude more than the candle itself. Such a check can easily disable the ignition module, coil and God knows what else.
Replacing candles in a car is necessary in three classic cases:
1. The engine started to work unevenly or as they say triple;
2. The power of the motor has dropped, you began to accelerate with effort; the engine began to pull worse;
3. Fuel consumption has increased significantly.
Then we go to the auto shop. We take the CPC (registration certificate) with us because the VIN number is registered there. You can choose the right candles only by it, neither the car brand, nor the engine power, nor the year of manufacture, namely the VIN number.
By the way experienced driver or a service station locksmith will tell you about an engine malfunction by the color of the spark plug electrode. If the color is reddish-brown it is bad gasoline, black thick bloom - oil getting into the mixture, the engine needs repair, etc.

Danila

In order not to bother taking into account the mileage traveled, I regularly change the candles in the fall, since in winter they are the most unfavorable conditions. I judge the quality of the candles by appearance electrode - according to the color of deposits on it. And also on the stability of the engine, if the engine "troit" or does not work stably, first of all I look at the candles.

Andrew

I always revise the car in the fall, since winter is the hardest time for a car. I change oil, filters, wipers gum and candles (regardless of their condition). Better to keep out than to stand on a frosty road in winter. I revise the removed candles and if they are in good condition, I will use them next spring. And in the fall in the second year I throw it away.

Basil

I change it every 8-10 thousand together with the engine oil change, I think the original ones are better, there is no need to set a gap on them.

Anatoly

The spark plugs of any gasoline engine work under extreme conditions. Many factors really affect their work, but in addition, the driver himself, from the degree of his ability to correctly start the engine, choose the right oils, high quality gasoline, as well as the storage conditions of the car. In my life, I had to store a car in different conditions, and even under a canopy in winter, this affects the engine start and the serviceability of the spark plugs. I had a dozen Lada cars. It stood under a canopy in the courtyard, at an air temperature of minus 25 degrees below zero, it started like a match, as soon as the temperature approached 30 degrees below zero, the first time it did not start, and if you continued to twist it, trying to start it, nothing worked. The candles were filled with a combustible mixture and failed. Even blowing out the engine did not help, only replacing the spark plugs was required. And here, first of all, you need to know that in order to change the candles, you must have a candle wrench, which is completely different for all types and brands of cars. You also need to know that you need to change the entire set of candles at once and buy them only of those brands and models that are recommended for a particular car, in other cases, then the thread length will be long, then the thread diameter is not quite the same, it is better to immediately buy what you need.

Anton

I change the candles not from how long they worked, or how many kilometers a car has run over with working spark plugs. I always try to change before winter. In winter, the extreme work of candles increases, new ones will work flawlessly, which for winter driving very important. That's when the car is not used in winter, it is used only in the summer season, then it is better to replace the candles in the spring, the candles that have stood in the engine for a long time without working can malfunction or even fail to start the engine.

Vitaly

I change the candles once a year, combining this procedure with an oil change in the spring. I use only the candles recommended in the manual. This is much safer than waiting for some candle to fail on the way. A set of spare candles is always with you in the car, just in case for yourself or for the guy who is standing in the middle of the road. I always throw away the old (replaced) ones right away so as not to get confused. The savings will cost themselves more. The annual mileage is 13-15 thousand km.

Andrew

I changed the candles, as a rule, when the engine began to troit, started up in winter to minus 20 without problems. And we almost never have more.