Talk:Spark plug

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[edit] What conditions are needed to produce the spark itself?

I've been trying to work out what a spark actually *is*, and how much current/voltage is necessary to produce one, and how long current must flow for to effectively ignite fuel+air mixtures... if there's an expert out there - could you perhaps add to this article?

What I *do* know is that different compressions and temperatures change the conditions. 203.206.137.129 20070510

A lot of that information was in the article "reading sparks plugs for racing" but that article was deleted for really lame reasons. You can still find it on wikibooks under the same title.--=Motorhead 22:14, 10 May 2007 (UTC)

See the bottom of this article (mainspace not talk) for a link to Wikibooks:Reading spark plugs for racing. Samw 03:15, 11 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] disc-type

Would you consider a disc-type spark plug gapper to be simpler or more complicated than keys? (Well, it's clearly less accurate)

Both are about the same. The main thing would be to use the wrench to adjust the gap and not be tempted to pry it with the measuring tool.--=Motorhead 21:33, 1 Apr 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Removed merge

I've taken out the merge template with "spark gap" as these articles are distinct and do not significantly overlap, even if they use the same picture. --Wtshymanski 00:03, 10 Apr 2005 (UTC)

[edit] "Sealing to the cylinder head" : corrections and additions ...Ford Engines...

It is not true that the tapered seals of some Ford types without washers, need to be tightened to a much greater torque than the more common type (flat with washers). The required torque is generally less, and it is much more critical that they not be overtightened.

I have the Haynes service manuals for the Fiesta Mark 3 (1989 to 1995), which states the required torques for the HCS and Zetec (which had tapered seat plugs), and the CVH and PTE types of engine (which I gather did not). The recommended torque settings for the HCS and Zetec are less than for the other two.

In addition the recommended spark plug torque settings for the first type of Nissan Micra (1983 to Jan 1993), which has plugs with washers, is significantly higher than that for an HCS Fiesta (with tapered seat plugs).

I have had both sorts of vehicle. On my first Fiesta, (late 1989), I had to take three of the plugs out quite frequently and either clean or replace them, because they fouled up due to the engine burning oil. I always used a torque wrench to install them, and also used a smear of copper grease as an anti-seize compound (which the Haynes manual also suggests).

(I live in Britain, by the way.) Roo60 23:58, 29 October 2005 (UTC)

P.S. Please see http://www.honestjohn.co.uk and look under Car-by-Car Breakdown, for the Ford Fiesta (1989-1995) and the Ford Ka. Roo60 00:54, 30 October 2005 (UTC)

[edit] 'Sparking Plug'

I have never heard this used in Britain; indeed, it simply sounds archaic. I am thus removing it. --^pirate 13:54, 25 March 2006 (UTC)

See The Bosch book of the Motor Car, Its evolution and engineering development, St. Martin's Press, copyright 1975, Library of Congress # 75-39516, pp 206-207.
Also see 24,400 Google hits. ;-)
Atlant 14:59, 25 March 2006 (UTC)

I recall seeing this term in older British publications, probably from the 1940s/1950s. Incidentally, I loved the old Brit term for cleaning two stroke heads and ports: decoking. LorenzoB 22:30, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] The Future of the spark

I found this like via Fark.com [1] The first line reads:

Scientists have devised a way to replace spark plugs with laser beams to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Also I have heard from a mechanic friend of mine that ford or someone has created an engine without spark plugs using insted a tessla coil like device. --Doom Child 04:13, 16 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Inventor

The first spark plug is widely attributed to Edmond Berger who did not patent his invention. More specifically the invention is dated to February 2, 1839. --Nick 3216 13:31, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] compression ignition engines compress the fuel/air mix

This is incorrect - diesel engines inject diesel into heated compressed air - otherwise they would suffer detonation. This should be amended

You are correct. Feel free to amend articles as you see fit. If its not accepted it will be changed then you can argue it out with whoever.--=Motorhead 16:04, 30 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] High speed misses?

Misses due to excess plug gap will show up at idle, not at high speed. At high power output the temperatures, pressures and fuel/air densities are high enough to *almost* ignite on their own ( ie detonation ). The toughest situation for an ignition system is idle, in other words idle requires the highest voltage to ignite the mixture.
Back in the day there was such a thing as high speed misses( 30+ years ago ), but this was caused by the points in the distributor bouncing .
As for a wider gap producing a hotter spark... this is irrelevant as any spark is "hot" enough to ignite a proper mixture.
SatnSpwn (talk) 00:58, 18 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Dual Probe (Not Dual Electrode) Spark Plugs

I didn't see this mentioned in the main article, so if it is than please just disregard.

An evolution of the "hotter = better combustion" philosophy, Honda has started equipping its new cars with dual probe spark plugs. The spark gap now separates an iridium probe and a platinum probe, supposedly producing a hotter spark. I believe the idea is to increase the intensity of the spark rather than the quantity of them. Generally, OEM means a legitimate technology so I figured this deserved a mention.

Links: [2], [3]

LostCause (talk) 20:43, 5 February 2008 (UTC)