Guidelines

What is the color indication of a good spark plug?

What is the color indication of a good spark plug?

In general, a light tan/gray color tells you that the spark plug is operating at optimum temperature and that the engine is in good condition.

What does red on a spark plug mean?

Red is a sign of iron particle s or rust in the fuel system. Black is the color of oil fouling. Heat range is the speed at which a spark plug can transfer heat from the firing tip to the cylinder head water jacket and into the cooling system.

What does a blue spark plug mean?

The strength of the spark is revealed in the color. A red or yellow spark is weak and probably will not spark in the cylinder. A blue or white spark is strong and has enough voltage to fight across the spark plug gap even under pressure within the cylinder.

What’s the normal color of a spark plug?

Normal Spark Plug Color Combustion deposits are slight and not heavy enough; to cause any detrimental effect on engine performance. Note: The brown to greyish tan color and minimal amount of electrode erosion. Furthermore, indicating the plug is in the correct heat range and has been operating in a “healthy” engine.

What do dark deposits on a spark plug mean?

Dark coloring, such as heavy black wet or dry deposits can indicate an overly-rich condition; too cold a heat range spark plug; a possible vacuum leak, low compression; overly retarded timing or too large a plug gap. Wet deposits may be an indication of: A breached head gasket. Poor oil control from rings.

What does it mean when your spark plugs are white?

Lean running conditions: If your engine is running too lean, the spark plug will be white. If the spark plug is black and oily, they are oil fouled. If your motorcycle does not seem to be running right, take a look at the spark plugs.

Why do I need to read my spark plugs?

When reading spark plugs, you will likely find one of the following conditions: Examining your engine’s spark plugs can give you an idea of how the engine is running. You can do this as part of the routine maintenance of your car, ATV, lawnmower or boat, or if you suspect something is wrong with the engine.