Did you want to do a simple setup for your vehicle and now you’re dealing with a broken spark plug? Have you ever gone for a simple ride and suddenly found your car having engine problems?
A broken spark plug can be a major inconvenience and requires to be changed for the proper working of your car. There are many reasons why you might end up with a broken spark plug. It may be due to an improper installation process, an accident, or engine problems. It may sound like a hassle to change your car’s spark plug but trust us, with the proper tools and techniques you can easily change them out.
Let’s dive into the process and some essentials that we feel you should know before you start with the procedure.
What Is The Use Of A Spark Plug?
The spark plug provides the initial spark to ignite the combustion fuel which provides power to a vehicle’s engine. So it is quite understandable why a faulty spark plug leads to engine problems.
When To Change The Spark Plug?
Many people are confused as to when you should change a spark plug. So to make it easier for you to determine the timing, we have worked on creating a small list:
- If your vehicle’s engine is acting strange and you’re not sure why, then we suggest that you change the spark plug.
- If engine performance has dropped significantly even with regular car service, probably it is a sign that you need to change the spark plug.
- If the engine is running rough and your car is having problems while starting, it could be due to a faulty spark plug.
- If you find strange noises coming from your car’s engine, then we suggest you change the spark plug.
What Factors Lead To The Breakage Of A Spark Plug?
There are several reasons as to why a spark plug breaks in its hex. Most of them are due to human mistakes. Avoid doing these things when installing a spark plug.
- Over-tightening of a spark plug leads to its breakage due to excessive stress on the spark plug shell. This is the most common cause of a broken spark plug.
- The plug was installed for too long a time. It is highly recommended to change the spark plug after a specific period of working because constant exposure to high temperature and combustion gases causes wear and tear of a spark plug.
- The spark plug was installed without cleaning the threads. When spark plugs are installed without cleaning they cause improper sealing and placement, therefore, causing early spark plug damage.
- Cross-threading also causes spark plug damage. It means that the spark plug is not properly aligned with the cylinder head threads during its installation. This causes damage to both the components.
- Manufacturing faults result in early damage. Therefore, we recommend that you always use good-quality spark plugs to avoid these issues.
How Often Should The Spark Plugs Be Replaced?
Still, to give you a rough estimate, we recommend you change them every 30,000 to 50,000 miles if they are the conventional type. If you use iridium or platinum spark plugs, replace them every 100,000 miles.
How Do I Remove A Broken Spark Plug – 5 Easy Steps
1- Set Up
The first and basic step is to let your vehicle’s engine cool down. While you do this collect the necessary tools. Having proper tools makes it very easy for you to remove the spark plug.
2 – Clean The Area
You must clean the area thoroughly and be sure that you do not leave any debris behind.
In case it is excessively dirty, you can always use compressed air for thorough cleaning.
3 – Spray Penetrating Oil
Let us give you some golden advice because hassle-free work is always preferred! Apply penetrating oil or WD-40 and wait for 10 minutes around the spark plug area. This will make the removal process much smoother and easier.
4 – Removal Process
Before you start the removal process, make sure to disconnect the battery of your car just to be safe. Now get an extractor tool or a pair of pliers to remove the spark plug. If this does not work out you may need a spark plug socket to remove it. Attach the socket to a ratchet and extension, insert the ratchet into the hole where the spark plug was, and turn it counterclockwise until it comes loose. Now you can remove the broken spark plug.
5 – Reinstallation
Make sure to reinstall all that you removed during this process before you try to start your vehicle. That’s all there is to the removal process! We hope it helps you out through the frustrating event.
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Should All The Spark Plugs Be Changed At The Same Time?
As this is a common matter of confusion for several people, let us give you an answer.
Yes! It is always recommended to replace all the spark plugs at the same time.
Conclusion
Spark plugs are a really important component of a vehicle and their problems can be frustrating. Broken spark plugs can be quite an inconvenience but the right tools and proper methods can make this process a lot more hassle-free.
Follow the above-mentioned steps and tips to get back on the road again stress-free.
