Spark Plug


ABOUT PRODUCT

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1. Role of Spark Plug
Spark Plugs are the heart of your car engine.

Gasoline engine obtain power by compressing fuel/ air mixture of air and gasoline, and exploding this mixture by ignition.

Spark plug serves to ignite this fuel/air mixture.

With the battery as the power source, the spark plug converts the electrode energy that comes through the ignition coil and distributes into a spark which ignites the fuel/air mixture.

In other words, without the spark plug, the engine doesn’t run; the spark plug is an important part because its performance influences the overall performance of the engine.

 

2. Process of Spark to Ignition: (i) SPARK

When the high voltage generated by an igniter is applied on the center electrode and the ground electrode, electrical spark is produced, because the insulator between the electrodes is broken resulting in discharge there. This spark energy can fire compressed air/fuel mixture.

This process is conducted so rapidly (1/1000 seconds).

The role of the plug is to ignite the air/fuel mixture to turn it into work while accuracy and powerful sparks are required.

 
2. Process of Spark to Ignition: (ii) IGNITION

Ignition produced by electrical sparks result due to particles existing in the spark gap become activated which leads to chemical reaction bringing about flame kernel. This reaction is generally bigger and bigger in the spark gap.

However, when quenching effect is bigger than the heat generation, which turn out misfiring, a wider spark gap can be expected to generate powerful ignition, because the flame kernel can develop bigger in the wider spark gap and the quenching effect become less.

However this setting requires larger discharge voltage which is over the limit of a coil ability just leading to misfire.

 

3. Types of spark plugs available

 

  • Iridium Spark Plug

Iridium Power

Iridium Racing

Iridium Tough

  • TT Spark Plug

Nickel TT Platinum TT Iridium TT

 

 


GENUINE VS COUNTERFEIT

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Genuine v.s. Counterfeit

 

1. Comparing Appearance

 

 

2. Comparing Section

 

3. Problems Caused By Fake Spark Plugs

Problem 1: Fuel economy is diminished.

 

Inconsistent sparking causes incomplete combustion. Unburned fuel forms a black sooty deposit on the spark plug, eventually leading to poor fuel economy and poor start up of the engine.

Problem 2: Engine power drops on uphill roads and highways.

 

Poor heat dissipation due to the lack of a copper-core center electrode causes pre-ignition. As a result, engine power drops under highway driving or uphill driving conditions.

Problem 3: The plug melts down.

Continued usage of an overheated plug will damage the electrodes.

 
4. Why Power Drops and Melting Occurs
DENSO plug contains copper core

Quick heat dissipation.

Copper is an excellent heat conductor. High temperature heat is quickly dissipated away from the center-electrode to prevent melt-down.

 

Fake
Fake plug is iron only

Slow heat dissipation.

Absence of a copper-core center electrode results in poor heat dissipation capability. Prolonged use causes power loss due to excessive heat build up.

This results in melt-down of the ground electrode, eventually leading to serious engine damage.

 


CAUTION

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CAUTION

 

 Be sure to read this Website

IN NO EVENT SHALL DENSO BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSSES, EXPENSES OR DAMAGES WHATSOEVER  RESULTING FROM ANY OF THE FOLLOWINGS;

- FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE WARNING OR PRECAUTIONS DESCRIBED IN THIS CATALOGUE AND WEBSITE,

- ANY USES OTHER THAN THE APPLICABLE USE DESCRIBED IN THIS CATALOGUE AND WEBSITE, and

- ANY TROUBLE NOT ATTRIBUTABLE TO DENSO SPARK PLUGS.

※”Spark plugs” means any type of DENSO’s spark plugs, including but not limited to Iridium Power, Iridium TT, Iridium

     Racing, Iridium Plus, and Iridium Tough, Iridium Long Life, Double Platinum, U-Groove, Resistor, Standard, Nickel TT,

     Platinum TT, Two-Tops.

 

 WARNING (Prohibited Usage)

● Never use DENSO spark plugs in the engines for any aircraft, including airplanes, helicopters, gliders and drones. The DENSO spark plugs sold are not designed and manufactured for any aircraft:  use may result in a plane crash or other accidents due to engine malfunction.

● Never use DENSO spark plugs, listed in this catalogue, in the engines for generator and gas heat pump air conditioning system. The DENSO spark plugs we sell are not designed and manufactured for such use, so that such use may result in accidents, including power generation stop or heat generation stop.

    A separate catalogue for DENSO spark plug specifically designed for generators (gas engines) is available. Please contact your DENSO representative for more information.

● Never use DENSO spark plugs for gas burner ignition. The DENSO spark plugs we sell are not designed and  manufactured for such use, so that such use may result in ignition failure or equipment damage due to overheating.

 

 WARNING

● Be sure to turn off the engine and disconnect the battery before replacing or adjusting the plugs. Failure to heed this warning may result in a fire, an electric shock and/or bodily harm.


 

 Spark Plug Handing Precautions

● Always refer to the vehicle manufacturer’s repair manual for specific installation procedures.

● Carefully read the instructions and precautions on the package, catalogue and website.

● Do not drop spark plugs. This may cause the spark plug to crack internally or the gap to be narrowed, preventing it from functioning correctly.

● If Spark Plug needs to be gapped, bend from the back of the ground strap with appropriate tools. Do not physically adjust gap using the center electrode as leverage. Check gaps with care, not to damage the center electrode. Gap to the vehicle specific manufacturer’s recommendation unless otherwise recommended.


 

 Modified Vehicles and Tuning Precautions

● DENSO will not bear any responsibility whatsoever for any trouble arising from mechanically or electronically modified engines or vehicles.

● It is the user’s judgement and responsibility to check the specifications required for modified engines, which includes and not limited to, gapping, heat ranges, reach, projection, and/or clearances with valves and/or pistons.


 

 Catalogue & Website Precautions

● Precautions for cross reference and product tables showing other manufacturer’s spark plugs:

    ◆ Use for reference only. Table does not guarantee the performance of spark plugs when installed in the vehicles if plug was specified using cross references. Always check the applications section for DENSO recommended plugs.

    ◆ The spark plug specifications (construction, material, etc.) differ from one manufacturer to another.

    ◆ Select a suitable type of spark plug from the vehicle application table.  If not listed on the table, please check with your DENSO Representative.

● The contents of the catalogue and website are updated on a regular basis, but they cannot account for daily dynamic changes such as new applications and or OE supersessions. If there is an issue with the information, please contact your DENSO Representative for further assistance.

● Consumption tax and installation fees are not included in the price of the product.

● Some spark plugs on this catalogue and website are manufacturer’s genuine parts that listed for reference and cannot be directly sold. Please contact your DENSO representative for further assistance.

● The appearance and specifications of the product are subject to change without prior notice.

● The images of spark plugs indicated in the catalogue and website are conceptual diagrams, and sometimes differ from the actual products.

 


TROUBLESHOOTING

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Basic Troubleshooting
Condition Normal Carbon Fouling Oil Fouling
Appearance

When using unleaded gasoline, the base of the insulator often becomes white or gray. The electrodes may become slightly burned.

When using leaded gasoline, the base of the insulator becomes light brown.

Dried carbon is deposited, covering the insulation base and electrode area. The base of the insulator and electrode become shiny black, covered with oil or gasoline.
Engine The engine runs in excellent condition when starting or driving, both at high or low speeds. Engine startability worsens and "misses" at low speeds. If not corrected, the engine may die often and have poor acceleration. (Nearly 90% of engine trouble from spark plugs is caused by carbon fouling or oil fouling.)
Causes  
  1. Inappropriate thermal value
  2. Engine idling for a long time, or driving in low temperatures
  3. Rich air-fuel mixture
  4. Clogged air filter
  5. Delay in ignition timing
  1. Oil leakage into the combustion chamber due to frictional wear of the piston rings, valve guides, or cylinder wall
  2. Rich air-fuel mixture
Solve the Problem  

1 or 2: Use a spark plug with a thermal value that is one level lower, or adjust engine idling

3 to 5: Perform complete re-adjustment and tune-up

  1. Spark plugs may become wet until the oil flow control becomes normal during pre-conditioning runs with a new engine or an engine immediately after an overhaul. In such cases, simply clean the plug and reinstall it. In other cases, the engine basically requires a complete overhaul.
  2. Adjust the carburetor.

 

Condition Overheating Pre-ignition Insulator Breakage
Appearance

The base of the insulator will be burned and become bleach white from the heat.

The electrode will also be burned and become white or dark purple.

Electrodes will wear out soon.

The electrode will be melted. In extreme cases, the base of the insulator is also melted. The base of the insulator has a vertical crack. The appearance of the spark plug is similar to problems with overheating or lead fouling.
Engine Engine horsepower decreases and speed falls when running continuously at high speeds, driving for a long time uphill, or pulling too great a load.

This is caused by overheating.

Temperatures in the combustion chamber increases rapidly, destroying not only the spark plug, but the piston head too.

Engine horsepower decreases and speed falls when running continuously at high speeds, driving for a long time uphill, or pulling too great load.
Causes
  1. Inappropriate thermal value of plug
  2. Use of low octane gasoline
  3. Ignition timing set too early
  4. Inappropriate cooling
  5. Poor air-fuel mixture
  1. Inappropriate thermal value of plug
  2. Use of low octane gasoline
  3. Ignition timing set too early
  4. Inappropriate cooling
  5. Poor air-fuel mixture
  1. Inappropriate thermal value of plug
  2. Ignition timing set too early
  3. Inappropriate cooling
  4. Poor air-fuel mixture
Solve the Problem
  1. Use a spark plug with a higher thermal value
  2. Use higher octane gasoline
  3. Adjust the ignition timing
  4. Check the cooling system
  5. Adjust the carburetor
  1. Use a spark plug with a higher thermal value
  2. Use higher octane gasoline
  3. Adjust the ignition timing
  4. Check the cooling system
  5. Adjust the carburetor
  1. Use a spark plug with a higher thermal value
  2. Adjust the ignition timing
  3. Check the cooling system
  4. Adjust the carburetor

 


TIMELINE

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Timeline of DENSO Spark Plug