Maintaining Your Ford Spark Plugs: Replacement Intervals

Signs You Need a Ford Spark Plug Replacement at Your Ford Dealership

Misfiring

A misfire is caused by the incorrect ignition of the fuel-air mixture in a cylinder. Inside a cylinder, the fuel-air mixture is compressed by the piston, and then ignited by the spark plug at the high point of compression. A healthy spark plug causes the mixture to burn in a precisely timed series of mini explosions, producing the energy that moves your vehicle.

Worn or damaged plugs cause the fuel-air mixture to burn irregularly. Irregular burning produces less energy, wastes fuel as much of it doesn’t burn, and produces a misfire. Continued misfiring will damage the cylinders and pistons, and increase wear and tear on other engine components. Our technicians will examine your plugs and replace any that are damaged.

Check Engine Light

Your Ford has a computer that regulates many engine functions. The computer depends on information from the numerous sensors installed on the engine’s most important systems. Each sensor monitors its connected component to ensure it works correctly. If a sensor detects a problem with a spark plug, it informs the computer, which logs the information with an error code and activates the check engine light.

The check engine light also illuminates in response to any issue affecting engine performance, so we need to confirm the exact cause of the problem. We connect an OBD II scanner to your computer to read the error codes it’s logged. Once the issue is identified, we repair it, and the check engine light switches off.

Strange Engine Noises

A Ford engine makes very little sound as it works, so unusual noises like coughing or spluttering are a sign that something is wrong.  These odd sounds usually mean the spark plugs aren’t firing correctly due to a lack of air. Two of the main causes of this problem are oil dripping onto the plugs or a fuel-rich engine.

The engine turns fuel-rich when the fuel-air mixture contains more fuel than air. Air is essential for combustion, as the spark plugs can’t ignite correctly without it. An oil leak, due to a worn seal or other damage, onto a spark plug prevents the affected plug from sparking correctly. We’ll examine the plugs, find the cause of the problem, and repair it.

Plug replacement is quick and inexpensive and can prevent engine damage. Contact us today at Coughlin Ford of Heath in Newark, OH.

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