NGK Information about care in maintenance of spark plugs and ignition cables

Components should be inspected periodically to avoid customer disorders

NGK, largest manufacturer and specialist in spark plugs worldwide, gives some tips on this
component that suffers wear and tear during operation of the engine and must be examined
periodically.

Some common defects in vehicles are caused by misfiring, among them we can highlight: trouble
at the start of the vehicle; high fuel consumption; irregularities in the operation; failures during
recoveries; and increased levels of pollutant emissions.

The maintenance and warranty manuals of the vehicles have the maintenance plan with the
recommendations of the automakers and the repairer can follow the plan recommended for
each model. In many of them there is the recommendation that in vehicles used under adverse
conditions such as heavy traffic, it must cut-off the maintenance plan by half, that is, if the
automaker recommends the exchange of spark plugs every 20,000 km, the same should be
replaced upon reaching 10,000 km. This is because when the vehicle is stopped in traffic the
engine is running and suffering wear and tear, however, there is no increase in mileage.

Often, when the misfire is at the beginning, it is not perceived by the user of the vehicle. This
occurs only on acceleration recoveries or partial loads, but from the moment that becomes
noticeable, is a sign that is occurring for some time. These misfires are very damaging to the
catalyst of the vehicle since it is contaminated with unburned fuel.

The need for replacement of spark plugs can be verified by mileage traveled or with a visual
inspection of the electrodes. A new spark plug has sharp edges, which provide a tip effect,
increasing the ignition (facility to ignite a sparkle). With wear, there is a rounding of these
electrodes, increasing its clearance. This causes the increase of the voltage required for the
sparkle, which can damage several components of the ignition system as rotor, distributor cap,
ignition cables and even the transformer (ignition coil). NGK recommends that all spark plugs of
a vehicle are removed for inspection every 10,000 km.
Chart of Wear X Required Voltage
Wear X Required Voltage
Excessive wear
New spark plug
- Best staring;
- Fuel economy;
- Lower operation voltage.
End of the useful life.

The most common failure due to lack of maintenance is the "flash over", which occurs when
there are accentuated wear, a condition of air/fuel mixture too lean or the use of the vehicle
with the deregulated point, i.e., too late, getting difficult to occur the spark inside the
combustion chamber. In this situation the spark can occur between the spark plug terminal pin
and the metal bonnet.

The flash over causes a characteristic spot on the spark plug. When it occurs the repairer must
also replace the ignition cable simultaneously. As the two parts work together when one suffers
the flash over the other part is also damaged.

If the repairer replaces only the spark plug or cable, the failures can cease, however, after some
time the old part will damage the new part and the failures return. Only after the replacement
of the set of spark plug and ignition cable the problem is eliminated.

Another advantage of removing the spark plugs is that through visual analysis we can have a
good notion of the internal conditions of the combustion chamber. NGK do Brasil offers a
diagnosis catalog to guide the repairer in visual analysis. This catalog can be requested free of
charge through SAC 0800 197112.

According to Hiromori Mori, Technical Assistance Technician of NGK, spark plugs are an
important source of diagnosis. "That's because, by means of its appearance, it is possible to
identify several problems coming from the engine. For this reason, we recommend their periodic
verification by a reliable professional ", reiterates Mori.

NGK do Brasil offers to the market its recommendations catalog, where the mechanic can check
the correct application of the spark plug through characteristics of the vehicle that is in the
automotive workshop. NGK recommendations catalog can be downloaded on the website
www.ngkntk.com.br or requested through SAC.

On the packaging of the NGK spark plugs also contain information concerning the correct way
to install the spark plug. For better installation it is important to check the clearance between
the electrodes before and after screw the spark plug by hand to ensure the alignment of the
screw and close, applying the correct tightening torque for each type of spark plug.

Some additional care during installation of the spark plug that the repairer must always
remember is to use the right tool and in good condition and avoid the slope of the wrench during
the handling, because, unlike may cause cracks in the new spark plug insulator, which are not
always visible. For more information NGK do Brasil make available email:
duvidas@ngkntk.com.br.

NGK do Brasil
Atendimento à Imprensa
Printer Press Comunicação Corporativa
Ana Claudia Esquisato (ana.esquisato@printerpress.com.br) 11. 5582-1615 / 96344-0441
Felipe Guimarães (felipe.guimaraes@printerpress.com.br) – 11. 5582-1603 / 96344-0441