Spark Plugs Information FAQ

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All the information you want to know about spark plugs.
http://www.ngk-sparkplugs.jp/english/te ... index.html

http://www.ngk.de/en/products-technologies/spark-plugs/

http://www.ngk.de/en/technology-in-deta ... rinciples/

Also there is information about spark plug cables, glow plugs and lamda sensors.
I strongly recommend explore these sites you will learn almost all about spark plug technology
There are many diagrams and pictures that give all the information about spark plugs!
For example:

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How to identify imitation Spark Plugs

[sktaroins]

Hey guys,

Just a quick one .. Honestly I lost the link but I saw this on YouTube and I wrote down the info so ill write it below

CDI spark 1000-10000 rpm
With Denso iridium spark plug...!

Can anyone look into it and throw some advice about it.
Is it the best spark plug around?

Cheers
Sam

[saxophonias]

I have used both and I stuck with the ngk iridiums due to their lower price.

[BETEK]

NGK is the EXPERT at the spark-plugs. For me it is the best company in this category.
I have heard many defective DENSO spark-plugs, like cracks on body, electrode falling etc.
The only advantage of DENSO spark-plugs is the better appearance on the packaging.

[sktaroins]

I do not want to be confused by those below.
Look at the electricity flow on each vedio - should I be confused ?
So does this mean that better electricity flow better spark plug?

I know that its a spark every four strokes and not continous spark while driving at high speeds.
Or does it give continous spark at high speeds? Or ate those videos just a test.

On those tests they have direct current from the electricity which is why they produce continous sparks.
Not like our cars though..!
In our cars .. Does this happen ..like having continous sparks at high speeds?
I dont think so ... It just sparks every four strokes right.

Anyway this is the other one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8V0ULlW ... ata_player


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JP7U8z ... ata_player

Thx guys

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Modified engines with higher compression or forced induction will typically require smaller electrode gap settings (to ensure ignitability in these denser air/fuel mixtures) as the voltage requirement at the electrode gap is increased due to higher combustion pressures. As a rule, the more power you are making, the smaller the gap you will need.
http://www.ngk.com.au/spark-plugs/techn ... ctrode-gap


A narrow gap may give too small and weak a spark to effectively ignite the fuel-air mixture, but the plug will almost always fire on each cycle. A gap that is too wide might prevent a spark from firing at all or may misfire at high speeds, but will usually have a spark that is strong for a clean burn. A spark which intermittently fails to ignite the fuel-air mixture may not be noticeable directly, but will show up as a reduction in the engine's power and fuel efficiency.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spark_plug


Precious Metal Spark Plugs
Precious metals such as Iridium and Platinum have much higher melting points over traditional metals such as Nickel.

Iridium – 2410°C
Platinum – 1772°C
Nickel – 1453°C
This allows centre electrode diameters to reduce from 2.5mm using Nickel, to 0.6mm using Iridium or Platinum. The finer point means that once a spark forms, the flame kernel does not have a large mass of centre electrode that reduces absorption of heat and the flame shadow impeding the flame progress. This equates to a more complete burn that translates to:

Improved acceleration
Improved fuel consumption
Smoother idling
http://www.ngk.com.au/spark-plugs/techn ... park-plugs

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CHOOSING A PLUG for Modified Engine

When selecting a spark plug for a modified engine it may be difficult to initially gauge the heat range. A very expensive heat range test can be performed however a more viable option is to start with a colder heat range spark plug and perform some testing. As mentioned a spark plug operates in the range temperature 450 – 870°C, at 450°C carbon deposits being to burn off and if a plug may have a very black insulator nose at a lower temperature. At 870°C a spark plug will have a very white insulator nose which will blister if this temperature is exceeded and the ground electrode will melt.

Example Take a Holden engine which as standard uses a BPR 5ES spark plug. (The heat range for this spark plug is 5, please refer to our part number identification for further information) If a customer were to install a turbocharger, intercooler and exhaust system to this vehicle, it would be suggested to start with a spark plug with a 7 heat range (BPR 7ES) to be on the safe side. The customer would then need to perform some road testing,

firstly applying half throttle
then inspecting the plugs,
¾ throttle then again inspecting the plugs
and eventually full throttle.
At any stage of inspection if the plugs upon removal are very clean and white along the insulator nose this would indicate that the spark plugs are reaching their upper temperature threshold and as such obviously may not withstanding the temperature at full throttle. Fouling a set of spark plugs is very cheap compared to the cost of the engine modifications performed and insignificant compared to the amount of research and design that goes into producing the engine by a vehicle manufacturer.

http://www.ngk.com.au/spark-plugs/techn ... ce-engines

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Spark plug gap

Always check that the spark plug gap is compatible with the engine manufacturers specification. A gap that is too small means that the spark duration will be very quick and the spark will be thin and weak. The consequences of this may be bad starting and high exhaust emission levels. This will result in an increase in fuel consumption. If the gap is set too large, the ignition system will not be able to cope with the demands and a misfire situation will occur. Some wide gap spark plugs have a longer ground electrode to accommodate a wide gap setting. These must be used where specified, as opening up a standard plug to a wider gap setting may result in the electrodes not running parallel to each other. This could result in abnormal and premature electrode wear.

The re-gapping of fine wire spark plugs that have very small diameter platinum or iridium alloy electrodes is not recommended due to the risk of damaging the electrodes.
http://ngkntk.co.uk/index.php/technical ... -plug-gap/

[saxophonias]

http://www.verrill.com/moto/sellingguid ... rchart.htm

Handy info about the condition of the sparks and thus the engine!