Being able to “read” a spark plug can be a valuable tuning aid. By examining the insulator firing nose color, an experienced engine tuner can determine a great deal about the engine’s overall operating condition.

Learning how to properly read a spark plug for issues or needed replacement can save you a lot of time and money down the road - let Champion show you how.

Dec 20, 2012 · Reading your spark plugs is a good way to tune your engine, adjust the air/fuel mixture, and check for detonation. And if the plugs have wet black deposits on the threaded portion and plug insulator, they may be telling you it’s time to replace worn out piston rings or intake valve guides.

Feb 15, 2025 · By simply reading spark plugs for wear and deposits, you can quickly discover whether your spark plugs are either worn out, getting too much gas (rich), too little gas (lean), running too hot (burnt), wet, cracked, and whether it’s time to change them.

Feb 16, 2023 · From identifying wear and tear to spotting potential engine issues, transform into an automotive detective and keep your vehicle running at its peak! A damaged or fouled spark plug can cause a number of issues, including poor gas mileage, sluggish acceleration, engine misfires, and difficulty starting the engine.

Here, we’ll explain how to read spark plugs so you can tell when they’re bad or if something is wrong with the combustion chamber. Damaged or fouled spark plugs can lead to issues like poor gas mileage, poor acceleration, hard starting, and engine misfire.

Jun 29, 2024 · Learn how to identify a worn spark plug through signs like worn electrodes, build-up deposits, cracks, and corrosion. Discover the visual differences between new and worn plugs to maintain your car's performance and fuel efficiency.

Sep 25, 2023 · Understanding what’s going on in a combustion chamber and how to read what the engine is telling you through the spark plug is of utmost importance. If you can master that, you’ll keep your engine happy.

Reading spark plugs means evaluating their condition. This is typically done by inspecting the spark plug tip’s coloration, and checking if the tip is damaged. Different spark plug tip colors can correspond to specific problems with your engine.