A combustion engine needs fuel, air and heat. Heat can come from an ignition or preheating source. That’s what spark and glow plugs do. How do they work? When and how to change them? Let’s figure it out together with this new pro tip by Klaxcar.
Spark plugs are found in gasoline engines. By creating a spark, spark plugs generate a combustion. A gasoline engine contains one spark plug per cylinder. A spark plug consists of several parts:
The spark plug depends directly on the ignition coil. Thanks to the connector, the coil transmits a discharge to the spark plug, which creates the spark.
There are different types of spark plugs to better fit the gasoline engine. They can differ in terms of:
Similarly, there are different kinds of ignition coils:
When the coil has a sign of wear, the engine can only rely on the cylinders. An ignition coil does not have any specific replacement interval. If it becomes faulty, it can no longer provide the energy needed for combustion. As a result, the car loses power. When all the ignition coils are out of order, the engine no longer starts. If you notice any of these signs, have your vehicle diagnosed to replace the faulty ignition coil in time.
A faulty ignition coil can activate the engine management fault light (orange engine). You can check the status of an ignition coil by plugging an electronic case into the diagnostic outlet. To change an ignition coil, follow these few steps:
For more safety, we advise you to wear gloves and goggles. As for spark plugs, the replacement interval is between 30,000 and 60,000 kilometers. On the latest gasoline engines, the service life of spark plugs can exceed 100,000 kilometers.
Find our selection of ignition coils on the Klaxcar webcatalogue. Compared to other brands, Klaxcar is the professional choice with the best value for money. We also offer a complete range of spark plugs. In case of doubt, our team is at your disposal to guide you in your choice.
Glow plugs are present in diesel engines whose start-up does not need a spark. By heating, the pressurization of the fuel allows the engine to start. Glow plugs work as electrical resistors that preheat the engine. Once preheated, the engine is in good condition to start.
While a gasoline-powered car uses spark plugs constantly to drive, the diesel engine no longer needs glow plugs on the road. Glow plugs an important role especially when the vehicle has been stationary for some time or in cold weather.
Glow plugs can show several signs of wear:
The change interval of a glow plug is about 80,000 kilometers. We advise you to replace all your glow plugs at the same time. Otherwise, you could create an imbalance between the different cylinders. To change the glow plugs, take a torque wrench. Unscrew the old candles and screw the new ones.
Discover the Klaxcar range of glow plugs. Quality at an affordable price: this is what differentiates our webcatalogue from other brands. For more than 25 years, we have been innovating to meet the needs of the car fleet, both in France and abroad!