What information does the appearance of a spark plug provide?

An engine’s condition can be judged by the appearance of the spark plug’s firing end. If the firing end of a spark plug is brown or light gray, the condition can be judged to be good and the spark plug is functioning optimally.

What causes black buildup on spark plugs?

Carbon fouled Black, dry soot on the electrodes and insulator tip indicates a carbon-fouled plug. This can be caused by a dirty air filter, excessive driving at low speeds, too rich of a fuel/air mixture or idling your vehicle for too long.

What is the oldest spark plug?

The artifact has been identified as a 1920s-era Champion spark plug. A spark plug encased in a 500,000-year-old “geode” would represent a substantial scientific and historical anomaly, as spark plugs were invented in the 19th century.

What is the purpose of spark plugs?

Your spark plugs are what supply the spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture, creating the explosion which makes your engine produce power. These small but simple plugs create an arc of electricity across two leads which are not touching, but close enough together that electricity can jump the gap between them.

Who invented spark plug?

Robert Bosch, inventor of the spark plug. The spark of automotive genius begins one cold December day late in 1901, in a small German factory that employs a few dedicated, yet unknown, workers.

Who invented the spark plug in 1889?

Albert Champion. During the early 1900s, France was the dominant manufacturer of spark plugs. Frenchman, Albert Champion was a bicycle and motorcycle racer who immigrated to the United States in 1889 to race.

Can you clean a fouled spark plug?

How To Clean Fouled Spark Plugs. To safely clean a spark plug, you should use a wire brush or spray-on plug cleaner specifically designed for this ignition part. You can also use a sturdy knife to scrape off tough deposits. Note: NEVER clean a spark plug with a shot blaster or abrasives.