The spark plugs are one of the most important components in your engine that help maintain the normal functioning of your car. We all know that the engine needs fuel to keep running, but have you ever thought about how fuel works to power the engine?

The fuel reaches the combustion chambers inside your engine, where it is mixed and burned with air to release power and run the engine. The spark plugs generate the spark that is needed to burn the mixture of air and fuel.

If the spark plugs are faulty, then they won't be able to ignite the air and fuel mixture, which will cause the engine to not work efficiently. A common problem with the spark plugs is that black carbon is deposited over them after some time, causing them to lose their efficiency.

Symptoms That Your Spark Plugs Are Faulty

Engine Starts to Misfire

When the fuel-air mixture in one or more cylinders does not ignite as intended, this is known as an engine misfire.

This disruption in the combustion process results to a transient power loss, which causes visible vibrations or jets on the vehicle. Misfirings can either be sporadic or chronic, and these may result from diverse causes, with spark plug malfunctions being a principal cause.

With time, the electrodes of a spark plug are eroded through continuous sparking and combustion processes. This distance widens as the electrodes wear away, making it even harder for that spark to leap across. This may result in incomplete combustion and, consequently, engine misfires.

Fuel Efficiency is Reduced

The main role of spark plugs is to initiate the ignition process for air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber. However, when the spark plugs are worn out or not working properly, they may fail to give a strong and constant spark.

This may lead to insufficient combustion because not all the fuel is burned within the power stroke. Fuel efficiency is significantly impacted by incomplete combustion, which negatively affects the fuel economy.

Combustion inefficiency due to weak spark plugs leads the engine management system to inject additional fuel into the combustion chamber.

The system does so to make sure that there is sufficient fuel available in order for it to mix with the incoming air. On the other side, this overcompensation can cause the enrichment of air-fuel mixtures and thus increase consumption. Therefore, your car travels fewer miles per gallon of fuel.

All European cars are known to deliver a good fuel economy. However, if your car is burning more fuel than usual, then you should get it checked at any reputable European auto repair shop.

Car Experiences Rough Idle

Rough idling is a visible and uncomfortable condition that may occur in stationary vehicles, such as those while waiting at the lights or parked.

It is marked by a trembling or shuddering sensation and may be a sign of several root problems, including spark plug issues. If you are tired of the rough idling of your car, then you should visit a reputable car repair shop in Houston to get the spark plugs replaced.

Causes and Fixes For Black Carbon Buildup in Spark Plugs

Rich Air Fuel Mixture

Rich air-fuel mixture, that is, when during the process of combustion, more fuel is provided than required due to available bulk in the combustion chamber. When this imbalance occurs, it results in insufficient combustion and accumulation of black carbon deposits on spark plugs.

Oxygen sensors are vital for ensuring the optimum air-fuel mixture ratio as they determine the level of oxygen in the exhaust gas. However, if oxygen sensors fail or lack accuracy, the engine control module may be fed with false readings.

The fuel injectors are responsible for the delivery of a controlled amount of fuel to the combustion chamber. When fuel injectors fail or start clogging, they tend to release more than the required fuel amount.

Oil Leaks Inside Engine

If oil leaks into the combustion chamber, it may lead to carbon deposition on spark plugs that ultimately compromises engine performance and the overall efficiency of burning.

Piston rings form a seal between the piston and cylinder wall that keeps oil out of the combustion chamber. As a result, piston rings may deteriorate with normal engine operation or insufficient lubrication over the course of time.

As the rings wear, they may allow engine oil to find its way into the combustion chamber during the compression stroke. This leaked oil can deposit carbon on the spark plugs.

Driving Conditions Also Play a Part

Carbon deposition on spark plugs is a result of driving conditions and patterns. It is important to understand the role driving habits and environmental factors play in this buildup as they significantly impact optimal engine performance.

Some trips, especially those in which the engine does not attain the best run conditions, often contribute to carbon build-up.

When the engine fails to retain its heat for a long enough time, incomplete combustion ensues.

This partial combustion results in carbon deposit on the spark plug. Frequent long transportation of your vehicle enables the engine to reach and hold a sufficient temperature conducive to complete combustion.