Spark Plug Basics

Honeywell Canada’s (Autolite) Dennis Joinson, district sales manager, Alberta is very familiar with spark plug technology, and offers some useful tips for reliable performance:

“Use of a spark plug with the proper heat range is very important. Too cold a range and the plug can foul up and misfire; too hot and the plug will burn up or break down prematurely. Technicians can address some performance problems by changing heat ranges. For instance in an older vehicle that may have a fouling or carbon problem he could try a hotter heat range which will burn hotter and as a result be self-cleaning.

Dirt and oil can effect the performance of a spark plug. It can cause a misfire or cause the plug not to spark at all. Caution should be taken when installing the spark plug, to clean the seat and surrounding area of the plug hole in the cylinder head and not to over tighten upon installation. Care should also be taken when installing the plug wires to insure a tight connection with the plug terminal and good spark plug boots to avoid arcing.”