Why change your spark plugs ?

You may not need to change your spark plugs, but as part of looking
after your car and servicing it, it is useful to know how to take them out
and inspect them.  Perhaps give them a clean and check the electrode gap.

Checking or even changing your spark plugs is an easy and quick job.

Giving them a clean or changing them can help improve the performance
and economy of your car.  20 minutes doing this job can save you money
at the petrol pumps in no time at all and can reduce your emissions too !!

What tools do I need ?

spark plug socket for fitting to ratchet

I have a few of the above spark plug tools from working on different cars.
Not all spark plug spanners work on all cars.

Most cars have 14mm spark plugs, that is the thread diameter,
not the size of the hexagonal end.

YOU MAY ALSO NEED ;

Wire brush for cleaning off deposits if you refit the old spark plugs.

Gap gauge or  feeler gauges for checking the electrode gap.

So how do I change the plugs then ?

We have selected some videos below that best explain how to do this job.

We recommend having a look at all of them, and also have a look at
your cars user/owner manual or workshop manual where you should
find the correct electrode gap for your specific car.

What to look for when the plugs are out of the car.

Even if you are fitting new plugs and not renewing the old ones,
it is important to inspect the old plugs as this will tell you how good
or bad your engine is running.

Here are some images with explanations ;

This is how a good spark plug should look.
The colour (Grey-tan to white) shows that the engine is running well.

This plug is showing excessive electrode wear.
It could cause an engine missfire when accelerating and could
also cause difficulty starting the engine.

Old age is normally the cause, should have changed it sooner.

Notice that the insulator has cracked and chipped off.
A common cause is incorrect electrode gap, but sometimes
it can be caused by engine detonation. Detonation can be due to
incorrect octane fuel being used or incorrect ignition timing.

Electrode gap is important, ensure yours are set as per
your workshop manual.

Excessive electrode wear.
This could be due to the fact that the incorrect spark plug has been fitted.
Spark plugs have different heat ranges, fit the wrong one and this happens.

A spark plug fouled with oil.
Oil cannot get into the combustion chamber (where the plug sit) unless
other parts of the engine are worn.  These could be worn valve guides,
worn cylinder linings or worn piston rings.

Fouled with carbon deposits.

This can be a common thing on hard driven cars.  It indicates a rich
fuel mixture, weak ignition or wrong plug (too cold).

Think about a tune-up or mini-service consisting of new
air filter, ignition leads, carb clean etc.

Video showing a spark plug change on a Honda CR-V