Take the time to check the candles before driving. But after warming up the car, you should not turn it off and take them out for inspection, this is a dubious way. A warm engine is highly enriched with a combustible mixture, and it starts quickly. An oily coating forms on them, but it disappears after a certain distance. Inspect them after driving over 200 km. If you take this as a rule, you can avoid breakdowns and eliminate the first manifestations of the problem in time. Remember that the normal color is light brown. There should be no traces of oil or carbon deposits. If the color is different, there is a problem and the cause must be investigated.

Reasons for the appearance of carbon deposits

The normal service life of spark plugs is 50 thousand km. To overcome this milestone, they must be replaced. This is normal and cannot be avoided. An interesting fact, you can take excellent care of the car, but the appearance of plaque cannot be avoided. Their normal color is gray. Light changes are not scary if the electrodes are not visibly damaged. If a plaque has appeared on new candles, then you need to look for reasons.

Soot color - what does it say and what to do?

Take a closer look at the spark plugs. Their color will help you understand a lot ... For example, you can identify problem areas in a car. It is not enough just to replace the problematic element, look deeper, look for the reason. If it is not fixed, the new candle will deteriorate very quickly. The problem needs to be cut to the root. The first step is to deal with the ignition system. And the next step is to look at the candles. Determine what color the resulting plaque has. Allocate:

Each of them indicates the presence of a particular problem.

Black carbon

This type of carbon deposits occurs for a number of reasons. There are two subspecies:

An overly rich mixture is fed to the spark plug with black and dry carbon deposits. This could have been preceded by:

• Incorrect operation of the carburetor;
• Clogged air filter;
• High pressure in the fuel rail;
• Little spark energy;
• Weak compression.

If oily soot appears, check that oil does not get into the combustible mixture. Often the reason is trivial - wear of the oil scraper piston rings. Damage to the valve caps can also be affected.

White bloom

This color appears for a number of reasons. Spark plugs can have several shades of white coating. Slightly ashy appears when the engine is running on low quality gasoline. To overcome the problem - remove them, wipe them and they are usable again. Well, and monitor the quality of gasoline. But the appearance of a shiny carbon deposit, erosion on the contact electrodes is a sign of the use of overheated candles. This happens due to not enriched combustible mixture, early ignition, inoperability of the cooling system. Overheating for spark plugs is very dangerous, because it leads to cracks and all kinds of damage. Most often, this situation requires replacement.

Red and brown carbon deposits

As for the soot of red (sometimes it is also called brown), its appearance signals the presence of unnecessary components in the fuel. It is also possible that too many additives have been introduced into the oil. A color such as red brick can also appear if the engine has been running on leaded gasoline for a long time. The surface of the insulator is covered with a brown conductive coating, which interferes with the normal formation of sparks.

To fix the problem is quite simple - to clear the system.

The spark plug will not spark if the carbon deposits are bridging the gap between the electrodes. This is a standard situation for vehicles in which the engine is subjected to high loads for a long time. To solve the problem, replace the candles.

Ash, erosion, oil, gasoline

In addition to color, a number of factors can indicate problems. So, if erosion occurs on the electrodes, then the combustion of fuel of poor quality or containing a high amount of lead takes place. It is also caused by an incorrect gap between the electrodes. Ash acts as an insulator and at one point it simply will not allow the necessary voltage to develop to break through the insulating layer. Ash appears from the fact that oil does not completely burn out in the cylinder. The latter appears when there are problems with the rings on the piston.

The presence of residues of oil, ash on the surface of the candle indicates the destruction of valves or partitions between the rings. Sometimes, you may even see metal dust particles. Another reason is fuel flooding. There are several reasons: incorrect operation of the fuel system, there are problems in the operation of the ignition system. If the machine stands for a long time, then at the beginning of work, the motor can triple. White and blue exhaust gas escapes from the pipe. But as soon as the car warms up, it all disappears. Don't think that this is the norm. Most likely, the temperature regime of the cylinder is faulty. Oily carbon deposits on spark plugs appear if a cold spark plug is used, piston rings or valve stem seals are worn out.

If it is covered with a thick layer of oil, various mechanical impurities or gasoline, the cylinder cannot cope. The reason - the valve or partitions between the piston rings are destroyed. The engine triples can be heard, and the fuel consumption increases by 1.5 - 2 times. When the candle does not have insulators or electrodes at all, the operation of the motor is disrupted. This situation is dangerous because debris can get stuck between the seat and the valve. This can cause major damage requiring cylinder replacement or lengthy repairs. Watch for carbon deposits on spark plugs to identify problems in time.

Spark Plug Coloring Video

In this post, Nail Poroshin will tell you what the colors of spark plugs can be and will show all this with an example

MineAvto.ru

Causes of plaque on spark plugs: white, black, red

The engine is a complex technical mechanism. Therefore, like any mechanism, it can malfunction and malfunction. Spark plugs are a kind of indicator of the condition of the engine. According to them, you can determine that there are some problems in the car engine.

However, not all car owners are able to understand what exactly these or those readings of this indicator mean. In this material, we will consider what can lead to a particular plaque on the ignition elements, and what measures must be taken to eliminate the cause of plaque.

Remember that spark plug deposits in a working engine should be light brown. However, darkening of the electrode to a coffee color is allowed. Also, the candle must be dry, without any deposits. Any other color deviation indicates a problem.

Causes of white plaque on spark plugs

So, the first case that we will consider is white plaque on the spark plugs.

The cause of the white soot is in most cases a lean mixture of fuel and air. This means that there is too much air in the air-fuel mixture that enters the combustion chamber. However, if everything is in order with this, then it is too early to rejoice. It is necessary to conduct a deeper diagnosis.

Other reasons that can lead to a white coating on the spark plugs:

• Ignition elements overheat (malfunction in engine cooling);
• Low potassium number of the ignition element (the plug is incorrectly selected);
• Incorrect ignition angle (set late ignition);
• The fuel has a low octane rating;

Pay attention to the surface of the plaque. If there is glossy soot on the ignition element, then all these reasons are possible. If the white plaque on the spark plugs is thick and loose, then poor-quality oil and fuel are to blame. You just need to change these consumables. After that, you need to clean the candles and re-diagnose the vehicle for problems. Most likely, these measures will be sufficient for troubleshooting.

Reasons for the formation of red plaque

The next case is a red plaque on the ignition elements. Typically, this plaque has a reddish brick tint.

Most often, candles acquire a similar color due to additives. At gas stations, various additives are now often poured into fuel in order to increase the octane number of the fuel. Because of this plaque, the ignition elements generate a spark worse. Over time, this can lead to overheating of the motor with all the worst consequences.

It may be your own fault if you use all sorts of additives to reduce fuel consumption.

Red deposits can be removed by simply cleaning the ignition elements. Well, in the future, try no longer to use the services of a gas station, where all kinds of additives are poured into gasoline, and of course, do not fill in such funds yourself.

Why does it appear?

But this type of plaque should be considered in more detail. Since plaque of this color is different and can be caused by various malfunctions.

Black soot appears most often, but there are also many reasons for it. For example, plaque can be dry, in oil, or even with metal particles. The problem can be anywhere, so some analysis of the deposit needs to be done.

If there is black soot on a dry candle:

• An overly enriched mixture enters the combustion chamber;
• The air filter is very dirty;
• Compression too low;
• Weak spark charge.

Oily black soot on the ignition element is for the following reasons:

• Valve oil caps (oil seals) are faulty;
• The oil scraper rings of the piston are worn out.

If there is an oily layer of soot on the candles with the remains of unburned gasoline and metal particles, then the reason for this is most likely a completely inoperative cylinder. This can happen due to the fact that the valve or the septum between the piston rings has collapsed.

An engine with such a defect will function unevenly (triple) and consume a lot of fuel. If it is not repaired, detonation may soon occur. Soon, this will destroy the central electrode and insulator. Therefore, the car needs to be diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible. If you continue to operate such an engine, then in the future the cost of repairs will cost you several times more.

Well, in conclusion, it should be noted that the spark plugs must be periodically checked for the presence of any of the above types of plaque. If you notice that the candles do not look as they should, then you do not need to hesitate with further diagnostics and repairs, otherwise then the malfunction will certainly grow, which will lead to much more expensive repair work.

auto-pos.ru

Causes of carbon deposits on spark plugs

Automotive spark plugs, especially their electrode portions, operate under extreme temperature conditions. They are affected by both the temperature of the electric spark and the combustion temperature of the fuel plug.

Moreover, if with an electric spark, practically no chemical reactions occur, except for the combustion of oxygen in a minimum volume, then in the case of fuel combustion, a chemical reaction also occurs, as a result of which carbon deposits of a certain color appear on the spark plug electrodes.

Moreover, carbon deposits will always arise, no matter how correctly the candle works and no matter how correctly the fuel supply systems and other systems that ensure the operation of the engine work. But the color of the carbon deposits on the spark plugs is completely different.

There is a coke color that indicates that the system is working properly. Usually this formation is light gray. And such a coloration of soot does not pose any danger. As a last resort, the spark plug can be cleaned to remove this carbon deposits if spark problems begin. But all other colors of carbon deposits on the candles are a signal that may indicate certain malfunctions in the car engine.

So let's find out the causes of carbon deposits on the spark plugs.

Black carbon deposits on spark plugs

Black carbon deposits on spark plugs

It should be noted right away that black carbon deposits can be different in structure. And it's one thing if the black carbon looks dry, without the slightest hint of oil stains. In this case, carbon deposits are similar to ordinary soot, and there may be several reasons for their occurrence. But the main reason is that the fuel mixture is too rich.

The following factors affect excessive enrichment of the combustible mixture:

• The carburetor is not working properly or it is incorrectly adjusted;

• The air filter is clogged and the engine does not have enough oxygen to fully burn the fuel mixture. It turns out that some of the gasoline does not burn completely and deposits appear in the form of black soot;

• There are problems with the fortifier;

• If the engine has an injector, then problems with the appearance of black plaque on the spark plugs are associated with the fact that there is increased pressure in the fuel rail and excessive fuel injection occurs. Increased pressure in the fuel rail may be due to the fact that there are problems with the fuel pressure regulator;

• Insufficient compression in the cylinder or cylinders;

• There are problems with the spark plug itself, namely with the spark, the energy of which is not enough.

But black plaque can be not only dry, but also have signs of oiliness in its structure. If the plaque is exactly oily, then this is due to the fact that the oil enters the combustion chamber in excess amount and does not completely burn out there. The pathways for the oil can be varied. Basic: through worn oil scraper rings on the piston or through worn oil valve caps.

If we consider two-stroke engines that are used for boats, small agricultural machinery, then a fuel mixture of gasoline and oil is used for such engines. And the appearance of a black oily coating on the candles can simply mean an overabundance of oil in the fuel mixture.

White carbon deposits on spark plugs

White deposits on spark plugs can appear for several reasons, one of which is poor quality fuel. But this is if the plaque does not have a glossy surface. As soon as the candle is cleaned and the fuel is filled into the tank normally, the appearance of the white bloom will disappear.

The situation is somewhat different if the plaque on the candle is white and has a glossy surface. In this case, the candle is constantly exposed to overheating. In addition, traces of erosion may appear on the electrodes. Those. instead of a smooth surface, small shells appear. This is also evidence of excessive overheating.

The reasons may be as follows:

• The plug or spark plugs are not suitable for this type of engine;

• Excessively lean fuel mixture;

• Unauthorized air leakage occurs in the intake manifold;

• Perhaps overheating is due to the fact that there are problems with the cooling system. And it can be anything from the level of the liquid in the cooling system to the clogging of the pipes in the radiator;

• The ignition is set incorrectly. It is early. If the ignition is early, then melted electrodes may also be observed, and at the same time the candle may remain clean or have a white coating or other coating, if there is a gap in the spark.

In addition, an off-white glaze may appear, but rather a yellowish color. This effect occurs if there is a sharp increase in temperature in the combustion chamber with a sharp increase in engine speed. The solution to such a problem is to install candles of a different type, which will not react to sharp accelerations while driving. Or the riding style should be adjusted.

Red carbon deposits on spark plugs

The appearance of such carbon deposits should not mean that there are any systemic problems in the operation of the engine. The appearance of red deposits is the result of the combustion of various additives that are in the oil or fuel.

Moreover, with a normal proportion of additives, red plaque usually does not appear. But as soon as the amount of additives increases, a reddish coating may appear, very similar to rust. It is difficult to say which additives cause this effect. There is an opinion that these may be excessive detergents in the oil. Although there is no experimental confirmation of this postulate.

In such a situation, when a red bloom appears, there is no need to do special steps to check the operation of the system. It is enough to clean the spark plug, change the oil, change the fuel.

What should a normal spark plug look like?

The color should be brown or gray-yellow. A slight wear of the electrodes is allowed. There should not be a bridge between the electrodes of the candle. If such a bridge appears, then the spark disappears or the spark is unstable, with gaps.

There should be no chips or cracks in the insulator, just as there should be no serious curvatures at the spark plug electrodes.

And if the bridge between the electrodes can still be removed, then various mechanical damage or wear indicates that the candle needs to be replaced.

avtowithyou.ru

Carbon deposits on spark plugs as a diagnostic tool

A car plug is used to generate a spark at a rate of up to 15 discharges per second. The color of carbon deposits formed on the contacts clearly indicates a problem in the car.

The organization of the coordinated work of the internal combustion engine is provided by additional systems:

• ignition;
• fuel mixture supply;
• cooling and lubrication;
• exhaust gas outlet
• and etc.

Each of these systems, directly or indirectly, affects the speed and quality of fuel combustion in the engine cylinders. As a result of chemical reactions, plaque forms on the spark plug electrodes. Depending on the quality of the combustible mixture, the time of spark formation, its power and duration, the kinetic energy that moves the engine piston changes.

Diagnostics by the color of the plaque of the electrodes of the candles

A light light brown (yellow) color of a plaque on the electrodes indicates the normal operation of the engine and the devices integrated with it. But, in some cases, carbon deposits on spark plugs can be black, white or red.

It is easy to guess why the spark plugs are black, but it is more difficult to determine the true cause of the malfunction. Among the main reasons for the combustion of the mixture with the formation of excess soot residue:

• violation of the tightness of the gas distribution system (leaking valves);
• late ignition (the fuel mixture does not have time to burn completely);
• the ingress of engine oil into the combustion chamber;
• excessive fuel mixture due to carburetor or injector malfunctions (lack of oxygen);
• clogged air filter.

The main reason for the appearance of black plaque can only be due to ineffective combustion of the fuel due to the ingress of oil into it, a decrease in the amount of oxygen or untimely sparking.

Spark plugs form white carbon deposits for other reasons. He speaks of a lean fuel mixture supplied by the carburetor or injectors into the cylinder. We can say that the system does not supply enough fuel or the mixture is oversaturated with oxygen.

In such cases, the car does not start well, but at high speeds it goes above average. This mode of operation may be liked by those who like fast driving, but it leads to burnout of the cylinders and melting of the metal parts of the candles due to the increased temperature in the combustion chamber.

Red carbon deposits on the spark plugs indicate that you have overdone the use of fuel additives containing metal, or are using higher octane gasoline by adding additives.

The danger of red plaque lies in the fact that, over time, a conductive layer of iron forms between the electrodes of the spark plug, which blocks the formation of a spark and leads to a short circuit in the ignition system.

Types of candle deposits

Spark plug maintenance

If you have driven the same spark plugs for more than 30-40,000 kilometers, then even with a working ignition system, they will start to junk. Plaque and iron oxide form on the electrodes, preventing the formation of a spark. In addition, when the metal burns out, it increases the distance between the electrodes, which complicates sparking.

Usually spark plugs are changed after long-term use, but in some cases their service life can be extended. To do this, just clean the contacts. But if you only clean the carbon deposits, the effect can be negative due to an increase in the gap between the electrodes.

The nominal gap can be restored by bending the upper electrode of the spark plug, controlling it with a special probe.

Gap gauge

Attention should also be paid to the condition of the insulators. If the insulator has cracks or other mechanical damage, then the spark plug must be replaced. The presence of oil and dirt on the insulator is unacceptable. This reduces the effectiveness of the insulator by lowering the resistance to electric current. Its surface must be cleaned.

If the surface of the insulator is covered with oil, then it is possible that the candles are not tightly twisted. They must be unscrewed, cleaned the seats, contacts, insulator and screwed in again using a torque wrench. Table 1 shows the torque values ​​depending on the type of plugs and head material.

Elimination of the causes of unsatisfactory operation of the ignition system

The main reason for insufficient fuel combustion in the cylinder is an improperly prepared fuel mixture. In cars of older models, the carburetor was responsible for the quality of the mixture. The device provided:

• enrichment of fuel with oxygen;
• dosing oxygen in fuel;
• recirculation of exhaust gases;
• the supply of the fuel mixture to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine.

The main adjustments to the fuel composition are the quality and quantity screws. The first determines the amount of oxygen in gasoline, the second, the amount of gasoline. A white-coated candle indicates that the carburetor is over-saturating the fuel with oxygen. In many cases, it is enough to twist the quality screw or adjust the throttle to fix the problem. But it may be necessary to replace the carburetor metering nozzle or to clean it of contamination. The jets are made of soft copper, so it is not easy to clean it without damaging it. Use soft wire or compressed air. The hole can be cleaned by soaking for several hours in gasoline or other solvents.

The carburetor may also be supplying insufficient oxygen to the fuel. The mixture does not completely burn out and a black coating forms on the candles. Normal operation of the carburetor is restored by adjusting.

Carburetor VAZ 2107

The situation is somewhat different with cars equipped with a fuel supply system with injectors. The color of spark plug carbon reacts to the quality of the fuel mixture, just like in carburetor systems. But injectors in modern cars are regulated only by computer technology using specialized software. It is possible to diagnose a malfunction by the color of the candle, but it is unlikely that it will be possible to establish the correct ignition angle and the ratio of the components of the combustible mixture on your own, this is the lot of service centers.

Conclusion

If you find that the power of the car has decreased, the throttle response has deteriorated, the reaction to the position of the gas pedal has slowed down, then it may be necessary to check the spark plugs. Their color will show, if not a specific malfunction, but the direction in which to look for the cause of unstable engine operation. A spark plug color other than light brown is the first sign of a malfunctioning fuel or gas distribution system.

opuske.ru

Spark plug. Diagnostics of the engine by spark plugs

The appearance of a spark plug can tell a lot about the condition of the engine, and about the processes taking place in the combustion chamber. For this reason, the state of the candles is one of the important parameters for diagnostics.

A good and normally working candle has a light gray or light brown color of the insulator thermal cone. We can assume that the thermal characteristic of such a candle, that is, its glow number corresponds to the mode of its operation.

Such a candle does not require any intervention or replacement.

On the other hand, the normal color of the heat cone does not always mean that everything is in order with the candle. If, with the normal color of the insulator, the edges of the central and side electrodes are rounded, and the gap between the electrodes is increased more than normal, then this indicates erosive wear of the plug, as a result of its long-term operation and the need to replace it.

Black plaque on spark plugs

Not infrequently, problems with spark plugs are associated with the use of low-quality and contaminated fuel. In this case, on the insulator and the electrodes of the candle, you can see a wet bloom of black color with the smell of gasoline.

This suggests that the fuel system is preparing an excessively rich fuel mixture, at least in some engine operating modes. For this reason, the fuel does not burn completely, and its residues in the form of soot are deposited on the spark plug and other engine parts.

Another reason for the appearance of black plaque on the candle may be improper operation of the ignition system, or the use of a spark plug with an unsuitable glow number for a given engine, that is, a plug that is too "cold", due to which the electrodes cannot self-clean, because they do not heat up to the self-cleaning temperature ... After cleaning, such a candle, as a rule, is quite suitable for work, and it can be used, if, of course, the causes of plaque formation are eliminated first.

Coked Spark Plugs

In addition to residual fuel combustion, plug fouling can also be caused by oil entering the combustion chamber. In this case, both the insulator and the electrodes of the plug can be completely coked with oil residues, and the plug will completely lose its functionality.

Oil entering the combustion chamber of the engine can be caused by wear on the oil scraper piston rings, oil scraper seals, and valve guides. In any case, additional diagnostics will be required to identify the true cause of oil entering the combustion chamber.

If the spark plug is slightly contaminated with oil, it can be cleaned, for example, with a copper wire brush, rinsed in gasoline, dried and reinstalled. If it is heavily soiled, it is best to replace the plug.

White bloom on spark plugs

When glow ignition occurs, the spark plug insulator is white, and traces of melting can be seen on its electrodes. This is due to the spark plug being overheated because it is too hot or the fuel mixture is too lean. It is also possible that the ignition is set too early.

In such cases, the spark plug must be replaced after elimination of possible malfunctions.

Destruction of spark plugs

Sometimes you can observe the destruction of spark plugs when its insulator cracks or crumbles. This is usually caused by knocking caused by improper ignition timing or the use of low octane fuel.

As a result of detonation, not only the spark plug can be damaged, but also other engine parts, therefore this is a very dangerous phenomenon. A damaged spark plug must be replaced.

When leaded gasoline is used as fuel, porous deposits with an unpleasant odor resembling the smell of rotten eggs (hydrogen sulfide) can be seen on the spark plug electrodes. If the plug is not very worn, then after cleaning, for example, with a sandblaster, it can be used again.

P.S. Now you can easily diagnose your engine by looking at the appearance of the spark plugs. Good luck!

Sooner or later, any driver begins to wonder if his "iron horse" is good. A visit to a service center, where it is possible to diagnose the engine using computer programs, or to measure the compression level, can help to understand this situation, but both of these methods, like other technologies in this area, require sophisticated equipment and a good specialist. Naturally, this work is usually not cheap at all. In order to avoid unnecessary waste, you can first try to check the operation of the motor yourself. A close inspection of the spark plugs will help us in this, namely the carbon deposits that have formed during the use of the car.

Causes of carbon deposits on spark plugs.

Carbon deposits on candles will help an experienced motorist to quite clearly determine what is wrong with his car. Low-quality fuel, interruptions in the operation of the carburetor, and violations of the cylinder-piston system, and many other problems will leave their mark on the ignition elements. To notice violations, the owner of the car will only need to conduct a careful inspection of the SZ and assess the state of the engine's functioning by the color of the carbon deposits.

How to correctly assess the condition of the candles

The plaque on the candles that forms can give quite accurate information, but the check must be carried out in compliance with a number of rules:

1. It is possible to estimate the plaque only after a run of 150-200 km, always with new or well-cleaned NWs.
2. Do not panic if, in the cold season, slight interruptions are heard in the operation of the engine, and at low speeds the ignition elements are covered with a black coating. This is a result of the fact that at low temperatures, the working mixture undergoes mandatory enrichment, which, with a slightly warmed up engine, will not be able to completely burn out. In case of repeated interruptions in the operation of the motor, it is worth paying special attention to the condition of the high-voltage wires.
3. When performing visual diagnostics of elements, it is worth remembering that they can self-clean only at high temperatures, which are possible only at high speeds.

Soot staining

With long-term operation, SZs cannot be perfectly clean, and many are interested in what carbon deposits should be with a working car, and why this is not always the case. In a situation where the car's engine is absolutely in good working order, turning out the candle, you can see a brownish coating - from light to dark shades of brown. This indicates that the electrode burned out evenly during the operation of the car. With the correct operation of all auto units, the service life of the ignition elements usually reaches 30,000 km. Modern models of two and three electrode plugs may not change twice as long. If, upon inspection, the owner of the car discovers that the spark plugs have carbon deposits of a completely different color, this means that there are obvious problems with the engine. Let's take a look at the possible types of carbon deposits.

Spark plugs usually have white deposits in several shades, which indicate several different problems:

1. Grayish tint. This is clear evidence of the use of low-quality fuel. In this case, it is enough to unscrew the SZ and clean it, and they will be ready for further use. An important condition for eliminating the problem will be a change in bad gasoline.
2. Shiny carbon deposits combined with erosion on the contact electrodes. In this case, you can be sure that the candles are overheating. Poor-quality fuel, incorrectly selected SZ or problems with the cooling system often lead to such a situation. After eliminating the causes of soot formation, the candles may have to be replaced. In this case, you will need to be more careful about their thermal characteristics.
3. White bloom. It should not be confused with carbon deposits. Plaque occurs due to the ingress of antifreeze into the engine cylinder. Quite often, this process is accompanied by the appearance of white smoke from the exhaust pipe. If you smell the candles, you can smell a pronounced sweetish smell. To eliminate this problem, it will be necessary to eliminate the ingress of antifreeze and only then replace the ignition elements.

As noted by all motorists, black carbon deposits can be found, perhaps, most often. It may also differ somewhat, which indicates breakdowns of a different nature:

1. Velvety black dry soot. Carbon deposits of this type will always be present when using highly enriched fuel and significantly increased gasoline consumption. Such carbon always smells like gasoline. If this happened with a car that has a carburetor, then it will be enough to simply adjust the fuel supply system. In the injector version, there may be several reasons for this problem, for example, a problem with the oxygen sensor, a broken throttle valve, or a simple blockage of the air filter.
2. Oily shiny. Such carbon deposits usually form on the insulator. The vehicle has a high oil consumption. Most often, this signals the process of oil entering the combustion chamber. This is due to severe wear of the guide bushings and valve cylinders, worn oil scraper rings, or due to the loss of elasticity of the oil scraper seals. This will require the owner of the car to carry out additional diagnostics of the engine and eliminate the breakdown. Only then is it worth changing the spark plugs.
3. Black soot resembling suede. It appears as a result of an incorrectly matched CB for a given engine. In this case, it will be too "cold" option, and the self-cleaning process will not occur. Most often this applies to driving around the city at low speed and with frequent stops. After cleaning, the spark plug can be used again, but if the driving conditions do not change, you will soon face the same problems again. The best way out of this situation is simply to find a suitable candle with a lower glow number.

In the event that the SZ is covered with red carbon deposits, and the shade can be completely different, you should first change the station where you most often refuel with gas. Such plaque appears only as a result of poor-quality fuel. Most often, this problem is observed in cars that use 95 or 98 gasoline. To achieve additional profit, owners of gas stations add various kinds of cheap additives to 92 gasoline, which is trying to transfer the fuel to a different category. The cheapest additives usually contain various metals such as lead. In the process of engine operation, metal compounds are deposited on the candles in the form of red carbon deposits. This deposit has a high current conductivity, and the candle can no longer provide the necessary flash of fuel. In this situation, the car owner will not only need to change the candles, but also be sure to change the place of constant refueling.

Erosion

Quite often, the result of the addition of metal-containing additives to the fuel is the occurrence of erosion at the ends of the electrodes. This is a 100% sign that the candles are no longer serviceable. Along with replacing the candles, as in the previous case, you will have to change the gas station.

Sometimes on the ignition elements you can see a plaque similar to ash, with completely different shades. In this case, you can suspect a breakdown in the system or carburetor. Candles should be cleaned if possible, or new ones should be installed. After running 150 km. you need to check the condition of the candles again. If there are signs of gasoline, a trip to a workshop to check the carburetor becomes inevitable.

Sometimes you can see yellowish or even green rims on candles. This is also the result of using low quality fuel, which contains lead. Irreversible consequences for the car in such a situation are not expected in the near future, but it is worth considering whether it is necessary to overpay for this quality of gasoline or whether it is worth changing the gas station. Replacing the candles in this case is highly desirable.

Cleaning the ignition elements

The candles do not always require immediate replacement, sometimes they can be removed and the possible cause of the formation of deposits removed. This procedure can be carried out in two ways:

1. Mechanical cleaning method. It consists of using simple sandpaper or a small metal brush. Despite the simplicity of the method, it has several disadvantages. With such cleaning, the deposition on the SZ electrodes can be damaged, and even simple scratches cause an increased accumulation of deposits.
2. Chemical method. It is more preferable, especially for removing black carbon deposits. The car enthusiast will need to prepare simple cleaning products, a toothbrush and a rag. The elements need to be soaked for about half an hour and then rinsed well. After drying, the candles can be used again.

conclusions

The analysis of this problem and the experience of motorists indicate that visual diagnostics of soot-covered spark plugs is an excellent method not to miss the beginning of problems with the car's fuel system. You should not be lazy and inspect these details from time to time. In addition, do not forget that SZs have their own service life, and when a raid appears, first of all, it is worth checking this very moment. If necessary, the spark plugs must be replaced and only then proceed with the primary engine diagnostics.

The best prices and conditions for the purchase of new cars

Credit 6.5% / Installment / Trade-in / 98% of approvals / Gifts in the salon

Mas Motors

There are many ways to diagnose the condition of a car engine. Among the most commonly used are computer diagnostics, compression measurement and others, but most of them require special equipment. Nevertheless, there is a sign by which it is quite accurately possible to determine how well the engine works, without the use of additional tools - this is carbon deposits on the spark plugs. The appearance of an inverted candle can tell a lot, about the state of the power unit and the correct operation of the auxiliary systems.

A common mistake

To obtain a reliable result, an inspection must be carried out after the engine has been running for a long time. Otherwise, the result of the inspection will lead to erroneous conclusions. Quite often there is a situation when drivers start a cold engine in winter and, hearing the sound of its uneven operation, muffle and turn out the candles.

Seeing black soot, they make premature conclusions about the malfunction of the power unit, forgetting that black soot can form due to the fact that at negative temperatures the working mixture is forcibly enriched, and due to the fact that the engine is not warmed up to the optimum temperature, it does not have time to completely burn out ... Unstable work may well be explained by a malfunction of high-voltage wires, which need to be replaced long ago.

How to do it right

Thus, in order to get a reliable result, it is best to drive at least two hundred kilometers on knowingly clean, serviceable spark plugs. In this case, the probability of error is almost completely excluded.

By the state of the turned out candle, you can determine how far the car has traveled since the last replacement. Of course, the calculation is approximate, as the initial data is taken that the distance between the electrodes of a standard candle increases by 0.015 mm with every thousand kilometers traveled. The resource of ordinary candles, as a rule, is small and amounts to 30 thousand kilometers. In stores, multi-electrode are offered as an alternative. They have two advantages:

1. increased resource (about 60 thousand km);
2. uniform distribution of the flame front in the cylinder, regardless of how the spark plug is screwed in.

Many modern cars use iridium or platinum spark plugs. They are distinguished by a thin central electrode (about 0.4 mm). They have to be changed every one hundred thousand kilometers, and thanks to the small diameter of the central electrode, a spark is formed in almost the same place, of the same strength.

Spark plug carbon color

Normal condition

If everything is in order with the car engine, then there will be little deposits on the insulator, and its color can vary from light brown to coffee. There can be no traces of oil on the candle. The electrode burns out moderately. In the case of an iridium candle, even burnout is likely to go unnoticed.

Any other color and condition of the candle is a deviation from the norm and requires increased attention.

Black

If the insulator and electrodes are covered with a velvety black carbon deposit, this indicates that the power system is preparing an excessively rich mixture. How strong the carbon deposit is, indicates the degree of re-enrichment of the working mixture. The reasons lie in the fact that the carburetor is incorrectly adjusted, or the electronic control unit of the injection engine malfunctioned (for example, the air filter is clogged, the oxygen sensor is out of order, or the air damper drive mechanism is faulty). This phenomenon is accompanied by increased fuel consumption.

Light gray, white

A light gray or white color of the insulator indicates that the motor, on the contrary, is running on an excessively lean mixture. If you do not take timely measures to eliminate the problem, then overheating or melting of the spark plugs, or overheating of the combustion chamber, which will further lead to burnout of the exhaust valves, will follow. The reasons for the appearance of such soot can be different: too low glow number ("hot" plug), the use of low-octane gasoline, a large ignition timing. It is also necessary to pay attention to whether such a phenomenon as glow ignition does not appear, if it takes place, therefore, the candles overheat during operation.

Brown, red

Brown or red deposits on the insulator, comparable to the color of red bricks, appear due to the operation of the engine on gasoline containing compounds of lead or other metals. These compounds are added to the fuel in the form of additives to increase the octane number. If the engine has been running on leaded gasoline for a long time, a brown conductive film will form on the surface of the insulator, as a result of which normal sparking is disturbed.

Candle oil

The next option is carbon deposits with traces of engine oil on the spark plug. As a rule, after a long stay, the engine troit for the first time after starting, and the exhaust gases are white and blue. After warming up, all symptoms disappear. The increased oil consumption complements the picture. Such signs indicate an incorrect temperature regime in the cylinder. The reasons for the formation of oily carbon deposits are too "cold" spark plug (with a high heat rating), worn piston rings, valve stem seals or valve guides.

If the turned out plug is covered with a thick layer of oil with the remains of unburned gasoline and mechanical impurities, then this cylinder does not work due to the destruction of the valve or the partition between the piston rings, as a result of which metal particles get between the valve and its seat. The engine in this situation troit continuously, fuel consumption can increase by one and a half to two times.

It may also happen that an inverted candle has neither a central electrode nor an insulator at all. This occurs as a result of prolonged operation of the engine with detonation, the use of low-octane gasoline, too early ignition or a factory defect. The accompanying symptoms are similar to the case described above. With a good coincidence, the debris of the electrode and insulator will fall into the exhaust system and will not get stuck between the valve and the seat, otherwise repair or replacement of the cylinder head will be required.

Ash bloom

The candle may be covered with ash deposits, their color does not matter (carbon deposits can be white, gray or black). This is due to the ingress of oil into the combustion chamber. The reasons for the formation of such a deposit are stuck rings or the development of a cylinder. The accompanying signs are increased oil consumption, strong blue exhaust with a characteristic odor, similar to a motorcycle.

Erosion

With long-term use of candles without replacement, traces of erosion are noticeably visible on the side and central electrodes, while the insulator may have a white, brown or coffee color. The motor of the car is constantly troit, does not develop full power, and is unstable at idle. The reasons for this are non-compliance with spark plug replacement intervals or the use of gasoline containing tetraethyl lead. Lead compounds cause chemical reactions in the cylinder, resulting in rapid destruction of the electrodes.

Gasoline on candles

Finally, the last case, when the turned out candle turns out to be filled with gasoline. If it is not unscrewed immediately after starting the engine in cold weather, this indicates that the ignition system, carburetor or injector are faulty. You can try to blow out and dry the candle, if the picture repeats, you will have to do some repairs.

Spark plugs are an essential part of the job. The main task is the formation of a spark in the combustion chamber, due to which it is possible to realize the ignition of the fuel-air mixture in the cylinder.

Note that any irregularities in the sparking process lead to the fact that the engine begins to lose power, increased fuel consumption is noted, reactions to pressing the gas pedal slow down, the power unit starts to work unstable, troit, has toxic exhaust, etc.

At the same time, for experienced car enthusiasts and professional auto mechanics, diagnostics by the color of spark plugs is a reliable way to determine the condition of the entire engine, identify possible problems and failures. The fact is that these elements are located in the combustion chamber and are a kind of status indicator.

Such knowledge can be useful both in the case of checking the candles themselves or in the process of searching for various engine malfunctions, and when buying a used car with an unknown history. Next, we will consider what the correct color of the spark plugs should be, as well as what color of the spark plugs means what and which engine breakdowns indicate in one case or another.

Read in this article

Different color of spark plugs: what it indicates

As already mentioned, the appearance of the candle allows you to assess the quality of work and the general condition of the entire engine, as well as its individual components and mechanisms. Immediately, we note that you need to start inspecting the candles only after the engine has warmed up well and reached operating temperatures, and also worked in a loaded mode before inspection.

In other words, you should drive at least 20-30 km by car. In this case, the optimal approach can be considered candlestick diagnostics after a long drive on the highway, when the car has traveled at least a couple of hundred kilometers.

1. So let's take a look at the meaning of the spark plug colors that can be seen after unscrewing them on various internal combustion engines. To begin with, the normal color of the spark plug is when the skirt of the center electrode is light brown, there is practically no carbon deposits and various deposits. Also, there should be no visible oiling. This color of the working candles indicates the efficiency of the engine, the completeness of the combustion of the mixture in the cylinders, the absence of oil consumption due to wear or.
2. If, after unscrewing, it is seen that a black fluffy deposit has accumulated on the central electrode, then this indicates a problem with or supplying air to. As a result, the engine runs on a rich mixture and wastes fuel. The reason may be the need for additional, malfunctions, pollution.
3. In the case when the electrode of the spark plug is covered with a grayish light carbon deposit or white bloom, then this color indicates that the engine is running on a too lean mixture of fuel and air.

   In such a situation, it is necessary to in-depth diagnose the internal combustion engine, since a lean mixture in loaded modes leads to severe overheating of the spark plug and the entire combustion chamber. As a result, the specified overheating can be the cause. If the spark plugs are white, the reasons may be in disturbed mixture formation processes, excess air may be sucked in, sensor malfunctions, etc.

   It should not be forgotten that a low glow plug number or poor fuel quality, as well as early ignition, can lead to the fact that the central electrode and the area near it will be covered with a white coating. In parallel, it should be borne in mind that internal combustion engine malfunctions and engine operation at critical temperatures can also be the reason for the formation of such a white coating.

4. The color of carbon deposits on the spark plugs, which is more reminiscent of a brick color (has a shade close to red brick), indicates that the power unit is running on fuel with an excessive amount of metal-containing additives in its composition. It is important to know that red spark plugs will not be able to work normally in the engine over time, since the deposition of heavy metals (for example, lead) on the spark plug insulator begins to conduct current. As a result, the spark does not pass between the electrodes, and the element itself loses its performance.
5. You can also diagnose the unit and determine its condition by the color of carbon deposits if, after turning out the candles, traces of engine oil are noticeable in the thread area. As a rule, in this case, the engine starts with great difficulty, troit to cold, although after warming up the internal combustion engine with oily candles it starts to work more or less stably. After turning out, the grease gets onto the candle thread from above, but this does not mean that it initially becomes oily at the bottom.

   In any case, the presence of fresh oil on the spark plug and in the combustion chamber may indicate a problem with (valve stem seals) and indicate other malfunctions. Such a motor will not start well without repair, there is oil and. Note that sometimes they lead to the fact that oil accumulates outside, that is, in candle wells.

   In such a situation, it is necessary to additionally check the candle wells for filling with lubricant, which will allow in the future to avoid inaccurate and hasty conclusions.

1. If it is noticeable that the central electrode of the candle and the skirt are covered with engine oil, and unburned fuel is found on the candle, then the cylinder from which the candle was unscrewed does not work, but. As a rule, in this case, the engine noticeably troit, loses power, and over-consumes fuel. There can be many reasons for this, ranging from a malfunction of a plug or ignition system to serious engine breakdowns (low compression, valve burnout, destruction, etc.). The most alarming sign is the presence of small metal particles that adhere to the oily carbon deposits. This indicates the destruction or significant wear of any part or element, after which the metal fractions got into the combustion chamber. In such a situation, the engine must be disassembled, troubleshooting and then repaired.
2. A clear destruction of the central electrode and its ceramic skirt will indicate that the engine has been operating for a long time in conditions, early ignition is set, fuel with an unsuitable octane rating for a particular type of internal combustion engine is used, or the spark plug is of poor workmanship, marriage or manufacturing defect.

   Naturally, in this case, the cylinder does not work, the motor is troit, etc. The risk of spark plug shattering is that broken parts can get stuck under the exhaust valve and cause other more serious damage. The result in this case will be the need for repairs.

3. Abundant accumulation of ash deposits on the candle, regardless of the overall color of the carbon, indicates that the oil is being consumed for waste in the combustion chamber. The most common reason is. In case of problems with the rings, an increased oil consumption is observed, in the re-gas mode, the exhaust becomes bluish, the smoke becomes oily. It is often enough to bring a sheet of clean white paper to the exhaust pipe and burn it off at idle, after which greasy oil stains remain on the sheet.

Having figured out what color the spark plugs should be in this or that case, you can diagnose the internal combustion engine. Separately, we add that it is very important to observe the rule when, before unscrewing the spark plugs, the engine must warm up and work under load.

The fact is that if immediately after a cold start, malfunctions or malfunctions were noticed in the engine, and then the candles were unscrewed to check, then in many cases you can see gray-black carbon deposits. Moreover, such a carbon deposit does not mean that there is a problem in the engine associated with the constant formation of just such deposits, malfunctions in mixture formation, etc. To put it simply, at the moment of cold start, the mixture is enriched. It turns out that the malfunction, for example, lies in the ignition system, and black carbon deposits and flooded candles do not in any way indicate problems with the power system (injector or carburetor).

As already mentioned, to obtain reliable data, before unscrewing the candles, you need to drive about 30, or even better, two or even three hundred kilometers by car, along the highway. If the condition of the engine is of concern and you need to diagnose the spark plugs and their color, then the following actions will be the most correct:

• select new candles that correspond to the recommended physical dimensions and indicator of the glow number for a particular internal combustion engine;
• fill up high-quality fuel at a proven gas station;
• after installing the candles, go on a trip along the highway, which will allow you to cover a distance of at least 30 to 300 km;

Only after these actions can the candles be unscrewed, after which, by their color, soot and condition, one can judge the operation of the internal combustion engine. It should also be borne in mind that on the territory of the CIS, the quality of fuel is significantly inferior to fuel in European countries. It turns out that the declared service life of any spark plugs, regardless of the type, brand, design features (iridium, multi-electrode, platinum, etc.), as well as other differences, should be reduced by 20-30%.

It is important to understand that although many manufacturers guarantee the normal operation of candles for about 30 thousand km, taking into account the quality of domestic fuel, this figure in practice may not exceed 15-20 thousand km. For this reason, it is recommended to unscrew the candles in parallel with each scheduled maintenance (10 thousand km) to check them, since they may need to be cleaned from carbon deposits, adjusted gaps or even prematurely replaced.

Finally, we add that the color of the spark on the spark plug can also partially indicate the presence of problems with the plug itself or the ignition system. Ideally, the discharge should be stable and also have a rich, bright blue color. It should be noted that the color of the spark on a spark plug can also vary from reddish to white or yellow.

In this case, a more important indicator is not what color of the spark on the candle should be, but the power of the discharge and the depth of breakdown. In parallel, it is recommended in conditions of increased pressure in the combustion chamber. There are special stands for such a check, since it is quite common cases when there is a spark during a normal check, but after screwing into the engine, certain malfunctions occur.

Read also

What does the color of carbon deposits on the spark plug indicate, why carbon deposits of one color or another are formed. How to clean spark plugs from carbon deposits with your own hands, tips.

Signs of defective spark plugs. Assessment of the condition of the spark plug by visual inspection, methods of checking the spark plugs. Plaque on the electrodes of the candle.

Spark plug carbon is a common problem faced by many of our car enthusiasts. At first glance, it may seem that this is not a big deal. But this is not the case, especially if there are certain reasons why plaque forms on the devices. What to do in such cases? Find out from this article.

[Hide]

Reasons for the appearance of carbon deposits

What does soot mean, how to determine the condition at home on an injector or carburetor by appearance? Ideally, the service life of the candles is 50 thousand km, that is, when the car passes this run, they must be changed in any case. If the plaque, as can be seen from the photo, is relatively small, then there is nothing to worry about, the main thing is that there are no traces of damage on the electrodes. But if plaque has appeared on new elements, then this must be given importance, since the reasons for this condition can be serious (video author - Oleg Ars).

Soot color - what does it indicate and what to do?

To begin with, you need to carefully diagnose devices, one or another shade of plaque can tell the motorist a lot, in particular, in this way you can find weak points. Replacing elements on the carburetor or injector is not a problem, just like cleaning the spark plugs, the main thing is to understand what caused this condition. After all, if the problem is not resolved in a timely manner, then new candles will quickly deteriorate.

What is the color of carbon deposits on spark plugs? Black, red or white. Any of these raids indicates that there are certain problems in the operation of the vehicle. Diagnosing the engine with spark plugs often gives definite results, allowing you to identify the problem. Let's take a look at each of these colors.

Black carbon

Black carbon deposits on spark plugs on a carburetor or injector can result from various problems. There can be two types of plaque - it is either dry or oily. So why are the spark plugs black?

Let's look at the main reasons for this condition:

1. The carburetor does not work correctly, it is necessary to adjust the device and clean it.
2. Clogged air filter element. You need to make a replacement.
3. The pressure level in the fuel rail is too high.
4. The energy from the spark is too small.
5. Compression level too low.

If oil carbon deposits form on the elements, then it is necessary to make sure that the engine fluid does not enter the combustible mixture. As practice shows, the main reason in this case is the wear of the oil scraper piston rings. In addition, damage to the valve caps can also cause plaque, as can be seen from the photo.

White bloom

As for the white soot, as can be seen in the photo, but it can also appear for various reasons, especially since it can have several shades:

1. Ash shade. Such plaque usually occurs when you refuel the vehicle with low-quality fuel. It is quite possible to solve the cause of the problem with your own hands - you just need to clean the elements and they can be used again. Of course, after that, you should fill in a better quality fuel.
2. Shiny shade may be accompanied by the presence of erosion at the contacts. This condition indicates overheating of the components. As a rule, overheating occurs when the combustible mixture is poorly enriched. Also, the reason may lie in the incorrectly tuned ignition (too early) or incorrect operation of the cooling system. As for overheating, it can be quite dangerous, because over time this can lead to the formation of cracks and other damage, therefore, after revealing a shiny coating, it is better to replace the parts.

Red and brown carbon deposits

Brown or red carbon deposits on the spark plugs may indicate that there are substances harmful to the engine in the gasoline poured into the tank, or there is a large amount of additives in the oil. If the shade is similar to the color of red brick, then this indicates that the car owner has been pouring leaded fuel for a long time. As a result of the brown plaque appearing at the ends of the candles, the device will not be able to let the spark through. The only way out in this case is to clean the spark plugs.

The device may not spark if its electrodes are clogged. You can try to clean the element, but most domestic drivers go the easier way - they just change the SZ. Brown carbon deposits can have a yellow tint. If the plaque is yellow, then this indicates a lean fuel mixture in the engine.

Other factors that indicate a problem

The fact that the engine is having problems can be said not only by the color. For example, if you notice that erosion has formed on the electrodes, then most likely you are using low-quality gasoline, which has a high content of lead. Poor clearance also contributes to erosion. Ash itself is an insulator, respectively, if its layer is too thick, then the required voltage will not be able to develop in the system. The appearance of ash is facilitated by the fact that the engine fluid does not completely burn out in the engine cylinders, which is due to other problems associated with the piston rings.

As for the remnants of motor fluid on the electrodes, they indicate the failure of valves or partitions, and metal shavings can also be located on the electrodes.

In this case, the system is again flooded with gasoline, which is why this happens:

• the system as a whole does not work properly;
• there are problems with the ignition.

In the event that the vehicle has been stationary for a long time, at the beginning of its operation, there may be a triple formation of the internal combustion engine, which eventually disappears. In this case, blue-white smoke will come from the muffler. In this case, the problem is most likely in the cylinder temperature. Oil forms on the spark plugs when the spark plug itself is cold, or there is a need to replace the oil caps or piston rings.

If the problem is not solved in a timely manner, fuel consumption can double, and if the malfunction is associated with piston rings or partitions, then it will have to be solved in any case. And it is better not to delay this moment!

How do I clean spark plugs with my own hands?

How to clean spark plugs - there may be several options, first all devices must be dismantled, only electrodes can be cleaned:

1. Manual cleaning. Experts do not recommend cleaning the elements with sandpaper, but our motorists still successfully use this method. A better option would be to use a special metal wire brush or a toothbrush.
2. Sand cleaning. It is not so easy to clean an element with sand if you do not approach this issue correctly. Our craftsmen always find simpler ways, one of which is to install the device in the drill chuck, turn it on and lower it into a container with sand.
3. Heat exposure method. The elements must be warmed up using a conventional soldering iron or gas stove. The component is heated until the electrode turns red, after which it is cleaned with a brush.
4. Cleaning with chemistry. If you use a special anti-rust agent, then it must be applied in a layer of several millimeters and leave the devices for an hour, then clean them and rinse them in water. Common acetone is applied in the same way. For this purpose, you can use silite - the elements are filled with a substance, after which the can with them is placed under the pressure of hot water for an hour, then, the electrodes are simply cleaned.
5. Vinegar. Also, for about 60 minutes, the device must be filled with ordinary vinegar and left to infuse. After an hour, you need to add a few drops of electrolyte, the parts are cleaned with a wooden stick or toothpick. In practice, this method is quite effective. In a similar way, some motorists clean up with drinks such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, etc. It's no secret that the substances that make up these products remove rust without any problems.

Video "Cleaning spark plugs at home"

The cleaning procedure is presented in detail in the video below (the author of the video is HF autoelectrician).

Sorry, there are currently no polls available.