We Are Hiring

Can you Drive with Faulty Spark Plugs?

Spark Plugs

A spark plug plays an integral role in an engine in that without a spark, fuel will not ignite in the combustion chamber. Spark plugs are created to receive an electrical signal from the ignition coil and transmit it at a set time to make a spark that ignites the mixture of air and fuel within the combustion chamber.

Every vehicle needs a certain kind of spark plug made using specific materials. Spark plugs, just like air filters and fuel filters, need regular service and maintenance to ensure the engine keeps operating well for a long. If you want to know whether your spark plugs are faulty, watch out for these symptoms;

Uneven Idling

Vibrations and uneven idling are major tell-tale signs of faulty spark plugs. Damaged spark plugs can lead to the engine becoming rougher and producing vibrations when you leave it at idle speeds.

Engine Misfiring

This refers to when an engine stops for a while and then resumes its normal functioning. This is usually noticeable when the car is idle or accelerating. This can lead to incomplete combustion and it can destroy the catalytic converter of the car. You can notice that an engine has misfired when there are irregular sputtering or stumbling sounds emanating from the engine. If you do not fix this issue, fuel economy will reduce, engine power will drop, and exhaust emissions will go up.

Starting Problem

Ruined spark plugs can result in starting problems. Damaged plugs do not produce enough sparks, which are required for starting the engine. Have the car checked by a mechanic for replacing the plugs if you need to?

More  consumption

If fuel gets depleted quickly, it is an indication that spark plugs are faulty. Good spark plugs will make enough sparks to burn the fuel-air mixture completely resulting in reduced emissions and leaving no residues behind.

Being unable to accelerate

Another sign of faulty spark plugs in a vehicle is poor acceleration. This results in the engine being unable to respond and having a hard time increasing speed when the driver presses the accelerator pedal. You need to replace the plugs immediately to reinstate the performance of the engine. However, you need to get in touch with a mechanic to ascertain the real cause of slow acceleration because it can be caused by other factors such as problems with oxygen sensors, clogged or dirty fuel injectors, or bad fuel filters.

If you need spark plug replacement, we invite you to bring your vehicle to our Mercedes repair shop today!