How often should you change spark plugs? Expert advice

The content of the article:

• The role of spark plugs
• Is the choice difficult?
• Platinum or iridium
• About the benefits of platinum candles
• How will a motorist win by placing platinum
• Tricks to solve the issue
• Factors determining replacement
• Is it time to change? How to understand this
• Fakes

Will the trip take place, will the car fail in a critical life situation? It depends on many factors. In the work of the “heart” of the car, the main functionality is given to the spark plugs. Which of them should you please your “swallow”? This is a question of interest to any vehicle owner and requires careful consideration. The current novelty of the car market is iridium and platinum spark plugs. We will tell you about the features of the latter.

The role of spark plugs

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This concept refers to a device involved in igniting the fuel mixture to stimulate movement.
A spark of several tens of thousands of volts is formed between the electrodes. The durability of the device depends on various factors: fuel consumption and the speed at which the owner of the vehicle drives are important. Periodic replacement takes place during operation. It is important to be able to understand the design differences between platinum and iridium spark plugs.

Correct gap on spark plugs VAZ 2107 carburetor

The gaps in the spark plugs should be set depending on the ignition system and power system. If the spark plug gap is larger than required, gasoline consumption will increase; if the gap is smaller than required, the car will jerk at low speeds.

According to the operating manual for VAZ-2105, VAZ-2107, the gap between the spark plug electrodes for a contact ignition system (KSZ) should be 0.5-0.6 mm, for a contactless ignition system (BSI) - 0.7-0.8 mm, spark plug gaps in an injection engine are 1.0-1.3 mm.

In summer, the gap in the spark plugs can be slightly increased, in winter - reduced, literally by 0.1-0.15 mm.

Below are several options for the condition of the spark plugs, from which you can draw conclusions about the operation of the engine:

• The electrodes of the spark plugs are covered with black carbon deposits - the fuel mixture is over-rich; the carburetor needs to be checked.
• spark plug electrodes are covered with a whitish coating - the fuel mixture is too lean
• burnt out electrodes may be due to an incorrectly selected type of spark plug, too early ignition angle, or the use of poor gasoline (low octane number)
• Oily electrodes - usually appear on the engine with age and indicate the need to repair the piston group.

Is the choice difficult?

For maximum device performance, developers use advanced technologies. NGK, Denso and Bosch are among the leading manufacturers of high-quality spare parts. What do you pay attention to when buying?

• The ability to resist thermal shock and insulating properties are important.
• Anti-corrosion qualities.
• Reliability in different operating conditions.
• You should inquire about the thermal conductivity of the insulator and electrodes.

Platinum or iridium

The most common question among car enthusiasts: is a platinum or iridium spark plug better? Platinum is offered by different manufacturers. The main working element of the device is the electrode. Models are presented on the market in the form of single-electrode or multi-electrode modifications. The standard solution is the presence of a central and side electrode. The constant “work” of the spark leads to rapid wear of this spare part.

Multi-electrode spark plugs (platinum and iridium) have shown themselves to be the best in practice, extending the service life of this unit.

The materials involved in the creation may be different, and the main parameters of high-quality use are dictated by the characteristics of the electrode parts. Spark plugs are used:

• made of copper and a combination of chromium and nickel;
• from platinum and iridium.

The cost also depends on the material: the latter will cost more. Platinum and iridium spark plugs differ in their production methods. It is worth disassembling each detail separately.

CHOOSEING THE CORRECT IRIDIUM PLUG IS NOT EASY

When choosing iridium spark plugs, the service life of which significantly exceeds that of standard options, you should exercise some care, since iridium spark plugs are selected according to the car (in some cases), or more precisely according to some engine parameters. These include, for example, the heat number - i.e. the value of pressure in the cylinder at which ignition of the mixture occurs not from a spark, but from the heated parts of the candle. This parameter is specified by the car manufacturer and must be strictly followed.

At the same time, if the operation of spark plugs with a slightly higher heat number is allowed for a short time, installing samples with a lower value is unacceptable, since this can lead to consequences such as burnout of the pistons or breakdown of the cylinder block gasket. For high-quality operation of the ignition system, the question remains of what gap should be on iridium spark plugs. Many car enthusiasts remember how they used to independently “adjust” the distance between the electrodes. Currently, no matter how long iridium spark plugs run, manual adjustment is not allowed - the gap size is determined and set at the factory.

About the benefits of platinum candles

The production line is based on the use of innovative equipment. A platinum alloy is used to make the central electrode element. According to online reviews, a candle with a platinum tip has a number of advantages.

• Helps increase motor power.
• Leads to a reduction in fuel costs due to reduced consumption.
• The shelf life of the model is doubled.

Disadvantages include the high price and demands on the quality of the fuel resource. Drivers love them for their stability in work. Their power has been increased by engineers by reducing rod thickness, allowing for improved spark generation. The result is good performance and starting even on a frosty day. Unlike iridium, platinum is endowed with increased melting point values, resulting in doubled “longevity.”

pros

Devices made of this metal are superior to classic ones in their properties. Iridium spark plugs improve engine performance and are very durable. And therefore, their main advantages appear over time:

• The productivity of the fuse increases. Due to the small diameter of the electrode (maximum diameter - 0.3 mm), the fuse performance increases, and all because the contact between the electrode and the flame is quite small. And, for example, devices made of copper have a spark gap of 0.9 mm, based on this, iridium devices ignite 2 times more strongly. The spark has a larger area to expand since there is a small amount of alloy at the tip. Thanks to this property, the car starts faster with less voltage.

• Excellent engine idle performance. The engine igniter works quite poorly in idle mode. However, iridium sets ignite fairly quickly even at minimal voltage. And therefore the engine works well even in idle mode. Unlike standard plugs, iridium plugs make the engine run smoother and idle. The combustion rates of these devices are much higher, and therefore the number of revolutions per minute increases.

• Motor productivity increases. Iridium spark plugs, unlike classic ones, increase engine productivity by up to 10%.

• Fuel economy. With the help of such elements of the ignition system, fuel economy increases by 6-10%.

The ultra-thin tip design and laser deposition on the central (in some models on the side) electrode improve the performance of iridium products.

How will a motorist win by betting on platinum?

Cost is the basic difference; a motorist can save approximately 40%. Platinum spark plugs are more suitable for cars with engines and turbochargers, intercoolers. The motorist wins from an economic point of view in such a situation. Products made of precious metal cope well with high loads and justify the money invested in a car. Experts highlight the following signs of high quality NGK platinum candles.

Taking into account the above, driver reviews confirm that platinum spark plugs are more in demand. When choosing a product, it is worth considering the type of car engine.” This is an ideal solution for cars with a turbocharger.

Review of candles for VAZ

• Three-electrode Japanese spark plugs NGK BUR6ET are a very common option. Bench tests show good stability of engine operation and a good increase in power - 4.4% (all given parameters are indicated in comparison with the “native” VAZ spark plugs EZ A17DVRM). They are also economical in terms of gasoline consumption (3.9%). Here are the best spark plugs for VAZ2114.
• French candles Beru Ultra-X 79 (4 electrodes) are the least toxic of all the candles that have passed bench tests and are described in this article. In addition, these spark plugs showed the greatest fuel economy (4.2%). However, they are somewhat inferior to their Japanese counterparts in terms of stability and power gain (only 3.7%).
• The most stable were the Czech three-electrode spark plugs Brisk Extra. In addition to stability, they provided a significant increase in engine power - by as much as 4.8%. However, their serious disadvantage was their insignificant gasoline savings. When deciding which candles are best for Kalina, many choose this option due to its reliability.
• Of the tested samples, the single-electrode Finwhale spark plugs have the best increase in power (>6%). At the same time, they do not differ much in stability from Brisk Extra and are compared in this parameter with Japanese NGK candles. At the same time, their efficiency and toxicity indicators are even worse than those of Brisk Extra.
• German Champion spark plugs combine efficiency (4.2%, like Beru Ultra-X 79) and a good increase in power (5.6%). They have the same average resistance as Beru Ultra-X 79, inferior to all other samples.

When deciding which spark plugs to choose, you need to consider what you want from them. If the main thing for you is reliability, then your option is Brisk Premium, Finwhale or NGK BUR6ET. If you care about fuel economy, then take the Champion, Beru Ultra-X 79 or NGK. Maximum performance will be provided by Finwhale candles (at the same time the efficiency will decrease) and Champion (the power will be slightly lower, but the economy will be much higher). In general, the best candles are original ones, that is, genuine ones. Unfortunately, today you can buy many fakes without knowing it, which sometimes make drivers disappointed in the products of good companies.

In addition, when servicing a VAZ 2110, a technician will tell you which spark plugs are best, because this is not such a serious problem as the frequency with which they need to be changed. This must be done every 15-20 thousand km.

Replacing spark plugs on a VAZ 2114 is a mandatory and regular procedure. In a car service, such a service costs from five hundred to one and a half thousand rubles. To the delight of sensible and thrifty car owners, there is no need to go to the salon at all: replacing spark plugs on a VAZ 2114 is a simple task. Even a new car enthusiast can cope with it on his own.

Tricks to solve the issue

What platinum or iridium spark plugs do professionals recommend? Auto mechanics, contrary to the opinion of car connoisseurs, most often opt for iridium parts. Why? The condition of the vehicle and its technical properties play a big role.

If you decide to install iridium parts on a worn-out unit, then you will only be throwing money away. This will not change anything in terms of power and dynamics.

Many people think that candles made of precious metal will not flood. This opinion is erroneous, since when oil gets into the combustion chamber, coking of the spark plugs will inevitably occur.

The traditional method of cleaning these spare parts is detrimental to the expensive metal. Carbon deposits cannot be cleaned using conventional mechanical methods. The general shelf life of both devices is approximately the same, provided that they are driven along the road tracks of their native Fatherland and CIS countries.

Spark plugs for VAZ 2106, 2107, 2108 and 2109 – which ones to install?

The technical characteristics of spark plugs for engines of cars 2106/2107/2108/2109 differed from the fuel supply system to the combustion chamber. On VAZ 2106 and 2107 with carburetors and a contact ignition system, spark plugs with article number 21010-3707010-86 are provided from the factory. For carburetor 2106/2107/2108/2109 but with contactless ignition, spark plugs with article numbers 2108-3707010-86 or 21080-3707010-86 were installed. But in fact it is the same spare part. They are interchangeable. But on injection cars of this series, the spark plugs were somewhat different.

With injection engines on VAZ 2107, 2108 and 2109, spark plugs with article numbers 21110-3707010-86, 21110-3707010-00 or 2111-3707010 were installed. The main difference between spark plugs on injection and carburetor engines is the gap size. Otherwise, all these are ordinary nickel single-pin spark plugs with a heat rating of 17 and a tightening torque of 22 Nm.

If we talk about the rating of spark plugs for the VAZ 2107 on PartReview, owners prefer Bosch products. Manufacturers BRISK, Denso and NGK also stand out.

The rating of spark plugs on PartReview for VAZ (Lada) 2108/2109 says the following, owners buy the following brands BRISK, Finwhale, Champion and Denso.

Read more about the sizes of original spark plugs in the table.

*According to Champion nomenclature (Russian standard)

Also, original candles can be found directly from the manufacturer, the Engels plant. The article number of spark plugs for injection engines is A17DVRM, for carburetor engines there are several options - A17DVR, A17DV-10, A17DVM.

The most well-known and frequently used substitutes from other manufacturers are presented below in the list.

Sometimes, even though these are old and super-budget cars, their owners install iridium DENSO IW20TT, price - 610 rubles / piece, or platinum Bosch 0242235540 at a price of 200 rubles / piece. Both models are equally suitable for injectors and carburetors. But nevertheless, this is a little justified waste.

When to change spark plugs on VAZ 2106, 2107, 2108 and 2109?

According to VAZ 2106/2107/2108/2109 maintenance regulations, spark plugs must be changed every 30 thousand km, that is, after one maintenance. But, in fact, their actual lines are half as large, and usually drivers change them at every maintenance service, every 15 thousand km.

Good afternoon, dear readers! I decided to devote today’s post to adjusting the spark plug gaps on a VAZ 2107 car. If you have problems starting the car engine, engine tripping, then I recommend that you read this article. Perhaps she can solve your problem.

The spark plug gap is the gap between the side and center electrodes of a car spark plug. Depending on the type of engine and power system, the spark plug gap may have one or another value. Typically, at a spark plug manufacturing plant, the gap is already set and does not need to be adjusted, although it can be corrected.

Factors determining replacement

The frequency of replacing platinum spark plugs depends on certain nuances.

• How many kilometers did the car “run”? With daily use of transport, early wear is inevitable. Replacement is sometimes needed after 50 thousand km.
• Driving style determines the frequency of visits to service centers. Frequent temperatures with a “+” sign, aggressive behavior on the road – and “welcome” to the workshop.
• Vulnerability is felt in relation to the quality of purchased fuel and lubricants. Bad gasoline will add carbon deposits to engine spark plug parts, worsening dynamic performance.
• There is a dependence of the replacement of these spare parts on the serviceability of the engine and its design. Close attention to it ensures the longevity of the candles.
• The make and age of the car are not in last place. Old domestic products require frequent replacements from the owner.

Principle of operation

The operating principle of iridium spark plugs is quite simple. The basis of the candle is a small body made of durable material. The use of special materials prevents the development of corrosion processes. In the middle of the body there is a core with a protective ceramic layer that acts as an insulator. The ceramic insert was chosen due to the fact that it can withstand high temperatures without collapsing, is resistant to burning and cracks on its surface, and also conducts heat very poorly, which prevents it from moving to high-voltage wires.

Photo of spark plug circuit

Diagram of the maximum permissible temperature load of the spark plug. To understand the principle of operation of iridium spark plugs, it is enough to understand how a spark is formed. A spark begins to form when a critical number of electrons accumulate on each of the electrodes. The lower the resistance on the electrodes, the faster the spark itself will occur. The magnitude of this resistance is greatly influenced by the area of ​​the electrode and the resistance of a particular metal (in this case, iridium). The increase in the plasma core begins to interfere with the large diameter central electrical wire of a standard spark plug, on which, by the way, more carbon deposits accumulate, which in turn increases the resistance. And so that most of the thermal energy that was released during this process is not absorbed by the electrode itself, it is thin iridium conductors of electric current that are used. The use of such a metal allows one to significantly reduce arbitrary energy dissipation. It is the iridium electrode that allows voltage to be concentrated in a fairly limited area (at the very top of the electrode).

Photo of spark formation in a standard spark plug

Photo of spark formation in an iridium spark plug

Is it time to change? How to understand this?

Looking under the hood and unscrewing the parts, it is recommended to pay attention to such points. There are no deposits in the working system: the color of the device is grey. Presence of slight carbon deposits: can be replaced with similar models with thermal characteristics. Charred electrode devices are not subject to further use.

The part “screams” about the need to purchase a new one in the presence of a contaminated working space, dark brown deposits, interruptions in the system, or throttle contamination. This is fraught with serious consequences. It is necessary to carry out diagnostics, clean the spark plug in gasoline, but the problem should be looked deeper - simply replacing them is not enough.

An incorrectly adjusted clearance of the device leads to its destruction, to the fact that the seals cease to perform their functions, and to the appearance of dark deposits on the surface of the cylinder. When buying spark plugs, you need to know how to distinguish the original from the fake.

Replacement interval

For most cars, the replacement interval for such spark plugs is 155 thousand kilometers.

At the same time, car manufacturers recommend replacing this element of the ignition system much more often. Frequent engine restarts, as well as internal breakdowns, negatively affect the operation of the spark plugs, which negatively affects their service life. For this reason, to ensure normal operation of the car’s engine, it is recommended to monitor its technical condition and promptly change the glow plugs. This approach will help save a lot of money on vehicle repairs, as well as on refueling.

However, we should not forget that when the first signs of a malfunction in the ignition appear, it is necessary to check the glow plugs for the presence of carbon deposits on them. Such problems can arise if there are certain malfunctions in certain engine systems of the machine, as well as with frequent use of low-quality fuel.