How Sparkplugs work.

­The spark plug is quite simple in theory: It forces electricity to arc across a gap, just like a bolt of lightning. The electricity must be at a very high voltage in order to travel across the gap and create a good spark. Voltage at the spark plug can be anywhere from 40,000 to 100,000 volts.

The spark plug must have an insulated passageway for this high voltage to travel down to the electrode, where it can jump the gap and, from there, be conducted into the engine block and grounded. The plug also has to withstand the extreme heat and pressure inside the cylinder, and must be designed so that deposits from fuel additives do not build up on the plug.



The carmaker will select the right temperature plug for each car. Some cars with high-performance engines naturally generate more heat, so they need colder plugs. If the spark plug gets too hot, it could ignite the fuel before the spark fires; so it is important to stick with the right type of plug for your car.

can you find a video?

Cool thanks for the info. So what actually makes a plug hotter or colder? Not sure I understand the illistration for the hot/cold. Is it showing that it dissipates heat easier?

Correct answer: magic. lol

2many2choose wrote:

Correct answer: magic. lol

Ahhhhhh! Magic! Now I understand!

dlinsbeck wrote:

2many2choose wrote:

Correct answer: magic. lol

Ahhhhhh! Magic! Now I understand!

It's simple once you get it! Hot plug=more magic. Cold plug=less magic.

Hot and cold, basically the difference is between the area available to transfer heat. Think radiator. More heat transfer to the block = a plug that doesn't get as hot.

Also, magic.