Changing your spark plugs is key to keeping your car's ignition system in mint shape. To learn how to replace them on your own, keep reading this post by K&K Oil and Lube in Clermont.

Why are Spark Plugs so Important for Your Engine?

Before getting into the steps to change a spark plug, it's necessary to understand this tiny piece's importance. As its name suggests, a spark plug is a device responsible for producing the spark that ignites the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber of an engine. The spark plug draws electricity from the ignition coil. The high-voltage current flows through the spark plug's central electrode, and when it reaches the insulating tip, it produces a spark to ignite the fuel mixture and start the vehicle. Spark plugs are designed to produce multiple sparks; however, their insulator tip does not have a protective coating; hence, it deteriorates due to withstanding combustion gases and high temperatures for long. That's why replacing them is recommended every 30,000 miles approximately. If you want to learn how to perform this maintenance, read on.

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How to Change Your Spark Plugs

Gather the Right Tools and Supplies

First, get the right tools and products to carry out the task safely and smoothly; with that in mind, here's what you'll need:

• New spark plugs (consult your owner's manual to verify which type)
• Ratchet
• Socket
• Torque wrench
• An extension
• Compressed air
• Gapping gauge

Check the Gap in the New Spark Plugs

As you know, spark plugs have a gap between their electrodes at the tip. This gap must maintain the manufacturer's recommended measurement to produce an adequate spark; otherwise, your car could have ignition problems. With that in mind, verify that the gap in your new spark plugs matches the measurements specified in your owner's manual; to that end, take your gapping gauge and measure each spark plug gap. If you need to open or close the gap on any of your new spark plugs, do so carefully by adjusting the ground electrode with the gapping gauge.

Work on a Cool Engine

Make sure the engine is cold before changing the spark plugs; this is critical for two reasons: first, because it is safer, and second, because of the expansion of the materials at high temperatures. When the engine is hot and running, the plugs' steel expands as well as the cylinder heads' aluminum; hence, removing the spark plugs on a hot engine could result in increased friction and damage to both the threads and the cylinder head. With that in mind, make sure the machine's temperature is low to remove the spark plugs without any problems.

Locate the Spark Plugs

The next thing to do is locate the spark plugs in your engine. These tiny devices are usually underneath the boots of the spark plug wires; therefore, it is easy to find them if you follow the direction of the wires located on the top of the engine. If necessary, have your owner's manual handy to check how many plugs your engine has and where they are.

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Remove Old Spark Plugs

The next step is to remove the spark plugs; to that end, clean the area around each spark plug wire with compressed air to remove dust and loose dirt. Then, pull the cables out by wiggling them out of the boots until they come out. Grab your compressed air again and blow it into each spark plug well to remove debris. Next, take your extension and connect it to your ratchet on one side and your spark plug wrench on the other. Insert the wrench into the hole and plug it into the spark plug to loosen it until it comes out.

Visually Inspect Your Old Spark Plugs

The next thing to do is to inspect your old spark plugs. Of course, you can continue to use them as long as they all look good. However, be sure to replace them if any of them has worn electrodes, a cracked insulator, a rounded insulator tip instead of a flat one, or an incorrect gap between electrodes.

Install New Spark Plugs

Finally, install the new spark plugs. Start by connecting one of the new spark plugs to the wrench; then, insert it into the well. Once placed inside, screw it in and tighten it with your hands. Once you can no longer turn the spark plug wrench by hand, use the torque wrench to give it a final tightening. Finally, cover the spark plug well by placing the corresponding wire boot, and that's it. Repeat the same steps with each of the spark plugs.

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