The serviceability of all components of the car guarantees its full functionality. The slightest malfunction can lead to the fact that the car simply will not start or drive. The most common are: fuel supply system, power supply system, cooling system, lack of spark on spark plugs. The last breakdown is worth paying special attention to, due to its frequency of occurrence. A spark plug tester will be needed to check the fault.

Symptoms of a problem

It is almost impossible to visually determine that there are problems with the current supply in the car. To diagnose, you should start the engine or drive the equipment at high speeds.

Before checking the ignition module, you should clearly know the symptoms of the “disease”. So, the first signals about problems with spark plugs:

• The vehicle's crankshaft rotates at the required speed, but the engine does not start. Due to the lack of a spark, there is no ignition of the combustible mixture;
• alternate flashes and fires occur in one or more cylinders, and as a result the engine operates unstable and chaotically;
• The power unit operates when the car starter rotates. When the “trigger” stops rotating, the unit stalls;
• a sharp loss of the machine’s power potential and, as a result, increased fuel consumption;
• failure of the catalyst due to a large amount of unburned fuel inside the segment;
• a long process of starting the engine during periods of medium and low outside temperatures. At this time, a large amount of moisture collects on the outer walls, which does not allow the spark of the candle to pass through;
• all kinds of mechanical damage to the spark plug body, which leads to an unstable supply of current to the combustion chamber for ignition.

If there are pronounced black carbon deposits on the spark plug housing, this indicates a malfunction in the power and fuel supply system. Problems with ignition timing can also be caused by worn-out power system wires..

Diagnostic methods

In many vehicles, access to the ignition system components is free and not cluttered with third-party parts. Therefore, the driver can easily check the spark plugs at the initial stage to ensure they are working properly.

The main thing is to maintain consistency and not to confuse them when unscrewing them from the cylinders. Checking the ignition module is always carried out with obligatory observance of the order in relation to the group of cylinders. Mixing will lead to incorrect final conclusions.

Initially, you should turn off the power unit, one by one disconnect the wires from the conductors themselves and the distributor. If the sound does not change when starting the engine, then there is a problem. Otherwise, continue your search further.

Spark test

An ignition tester is the easiest and most affordable way to quickly check the ignition system for functionality. We unscrew each spark plug one by one and, if necessary, wipe or clean it of carbon deposits. Using a special tester probe, we check the gaps between the electrode and the conductor body.

Advice. Each car has its own standard of clearances, which can be found in the operating instructions. If you don’t have such a book, seek advice from a mechanic at your nearest service center or look for information on the Internet.

Next, we apply the conductor to the engine body, most often this is the cylinder head cover. In this way we ensure constant contact in the power supply network. We run the starter for 3 - 5 seconds, look for the presence or absence of a spark.

We also remember the color with which it skips, as this is important for further diagnostics. Blue color indicates that the conductor is fully operational, red or another color indicates the presence of a breakdown.

Checking with a multimeter

A universal tester or multimeter helps to quickly check the performance of spark plugs. This device is familiar to many car owners who have had to repair their vehicle. The main purpose of using a multimeter is to detect the presence or absence of a short circuit inside the spark plug.

The multimeter is very easy to use; no special experience or skills are required to use it. For diagnostics, unscrew the conductor, connect one terminal to the spark plug thread, and the second to the central output.

When voltage is applied, a spark should appear, which will indicate that the part is working, otherwise it must be replaced. Checking spark plugs with a multimeter is the most common diagnostic option at home.

If in testing mode the multimeter shows infinite or very high resistance, then the spark plug is considered non-working.

To check the resistance of the spark plug's built-in resistor, set the multimeter switch to 20 kOhm. One probe of the multimeter touches the central electrode, the other touches the contact terminal.

The resistance of all candles should be approximately the same with a slight spread. For spark plugs of injection engines, the resistor resistance is about 4 kOhm.

Pistol check

In addition to checking with a multimeter and a special tester, there is also an original method called “gun test”. Its essence is to examine performance under pressure on a special stand.

The algorithm is as follows: insert the conductor into the groove, put on the tip, and after fixing, press the trigger of the gun. A green indicator will indicate 100% performance, a yellow indicator will indicate insufficient conductivity, and a red indicator will indicate a faulty spark plug.

Despite the invention of such a device, it does not provide 100% confidence in diagnosis, since the pressure in the gun is somewhat different from the pressure inside the cylinder.

Cleaning spark plugs

Many novice car owners are faced with the problem of cleaning spark plugs. Careless handling may damage the product or render it inoperable. When cleaning spark plugs with your own hands, use the following generally accepted methods:

As you can see, checking spark plugs requires very little time, effort and money. Just 10 minutes is enough, and your car will be in full combat readiness. Follow the recommendations of the article, check the color of the spark, then everything will be fine.

Spark plugs in a gasoline car engine are designed to create a spark, through which the combustible mixture in the cylinders is ignited. Failure of at least one means the impossibility of normal operation of the corresponding cylinder and interruptions in engine operation. However, unstable operation and other engine malfunctions, having similar symptoms, can also occur for reasons that have nothing to do with the spark plugs. Not wanting to spend money every time on buying a new set of the latter, many car enthusiasts would find it useful to know how to check spark plugs with their own hands?

Of course, for diagnostics, you can contact a car service center, where there is a special stand and a spark gap. However, you can check the spark plugs yourself if you wish.

For indirect express diagnostics, you do not need a stand or any other device. Carrying out an initial check yourself is very simple. It is necessary to disconnect the high-voltage wires one by one and observe how the engine operates. If, when a cylinder is turned off, the nature of the operation does not change, then the reason lies precisely here.

However, this method does not guarantee 100% confidence that the fault lies in the spark plug, since problems with other elements of the ignition system, for example, with the ignition module or with a high-voltage wire, cannot be ruled out.

Removing and checking the gap

To remove the spark plug you will need a spark plug wrench. First you need to disconnect the high-voltage wire, and then carefully unscrew the spark plug using a wrench.

Before checking the gap, it is necessary to clean the spark plugs from deposits. Checking the gap between the electrodes is done using a flat feeler gauge. The standard clearance value is indicated in the maintenance and repair manual or on the parts packaging.

Checking the functionality of the removed spark plugs

After checking and setting the required gap, you need to check for sparking. It can be done in various ways:

• checking with the car removed;
• checking with a multimeter;
• testing with a piezo gun;
• checking using a home-made control device.

Checking with the car removed

1. remove the caps of the high-voltage wires;
2. unscrew the spark plugs;
3. connect them using metal wire through contact heads;
4. short the end of the wire to ground, that is, to any metal part of the car;
5. put on high-voltage wires;
6. crank the engine with the starter and observe the appearance and nature of the spark.

Using such a spark gap, you can establish that if the spark is weak, then most likely the part’s life is running out and it needs to be replaced.

Checking with a multimeter

Another indirect diagnostic method, which does not guarantee 100% correct results, can be implemented using a device such as an electrical circuit tester (multimeter).

• the device is set to a resistance of 20 kOhm;
• one wire of the multimeter is connected to the contact head, and the other to the central electrode.

If there is contact (the tester shows resistance), then the cause of the malfunction may be damage to the insulator. Unfortunately, this device is not a spark gap, therefore, the disadvantage of this technique is the inability to control the spark. In addition, different types of candles must have their own resistance value, which is not always known.

Checking with a piezoelectric tester

Automotive stores sell a special piezoelectric tester (piezo gun), with which you can check the spark. Using such a device is simple: you just need to insert the candle into the device and press the button. A working spark plug fixed in the gun will produce a spark. You don’t have to buy such a spark gap, but make it yourself using a lighter. The end of the wire coming from the piezoelectric block must be connected to the contact head, and the block itself with the button must be pressed against the spark plug body. The homemade arrester is ready. If a spark does not jump when you press the button, then the spark plug is faulty.

Error

The main disadvantage of the described testing methods, carried out in the open air, is the difference in pressure (atmospheric and working), as a result of which even a faulty spark plug, when tested with a tester, can give a spark, since in an engine cylinder under excess pressure, more voltage is required to form a spark than in normal ones conditions. That is why such methods cannot guarantee 100% accuracy of the result.

A special testing stand, available in auto repair shops, simulates work under pressure in the cylinder, bringing diagnostic conditions closer to real ones. However, you can make such a device yourself.

Testing using a homemade device

In order to assemble a homemade arrester, you will need the following materials:

• syringe (20 ml);
• goujon (threaded bushing according to the diameter of the spark plug);
• glue;
• small syringe for applying glue;

The assembly diagram is as follows. The tip of the syringe is cut off. Glue is applied to the cut site and the adjacent inner plane and the goujon is installed. It will not be superfluous to additionally insulate the fastening of the goujon using wire or sealant. The homemade stand is ready.

Using the spark gap is very simple. To do this, you need to remove the spark plug, screw it into the goujon, and put on a high-voltage wire. The spark plug body must be shorted to ground. It is better to secure the syringe. After starting the car engine, you need to press on the syringe plunger. If a spark does not appear under pressure, is weak, or moves from the space between the electrodes to the body or central electrode, then the spark plug is faulty.

Checking spark plugs under pressure

Among the assortment of auto shops there are special devices for testing spark plugs under pressure; their appearance resembles a “pistol”. The cost of the devices is low: the devices are in demand among motorists. This article describes the operating principle of the tester for diagnosing SZ, as well as methods that allow you to make a measuring device with your own hands.

Factory product

The factory device for testing spark plugs under pressure has the following main components:

• a pistol-shaped body equipped with a special tip that acts as a probe;
• indicator light;
• a plastic cap containing a core inside connected to a wire;
• There is a small generator located inside the device, its purpose is to diagnose the performance of the SZ.

When checking the serviceability of the SZ using the device described above, there is no need to start the engine - this allows you to save fuel mixture consumption.

The performance of the SZ is checked in this way:

• inspect the SZ, if there are external defects (carbon formation, damage to the integrity of the spark plug body, damage to the contacts), replace the products with new ones;
• disconnect the high-voltage wire and install the plastic cap of the measuring device in its place;
• rest the tip of the “gun” against the cylinder head;
• Press the button of the measuring device several times, while watching the indicator light; the presence of flashes on it indicates the serviceability of the diagnosed SZ.

Please note: the absence of sparking during diagnostics indicates a malfunction of the tested spark plug.

The main drawback of the device is the measurement error; it is impossible to judge by the presence of a spark that the spark plug is 100% serviceable: the pressure created by the “gun” differs from the pressure parameter acting inside the engine. The generated spark may not have enough power to ensure normal operating characteristics of the power unit.

Making a tester at home

You can check the performance of the SZ at a pressure of ten atmospheres. We invite you to familiarize yourself with one of the methods for making a stand for checking the performance of a candle, with your own hands:

1. To carry out diagnostics, weld a special hermetic chamber, with which you can observe sparking. You can create high voltage using a short circuit from a car and a UAZ vibrator.
2. Using welding, make a 60x60 mm cube from a steel sheet.
3. On one side of the cube, provide a mount for special organic glass, which has a large thickness. The thickness of the glass plays an important role: high pressure will be created inside the cube. Through the glass you will observe the power of the candle spark.
4. Opposite the glass face inside the cube, glue a small mirror; it is necessary in situations where the view will be blocked by the side electrode.
5. Weld a fitting for SZ at the end of the product;
6. Weld the tip to supply compressed air.

The operating principle of a homemade device is simple and consists of the following sequence:

• screw in the candle;
• supply compressed air to the cube;
• turn on the ignition coil;
• through the glass viewing window, watch for sparking.

The absence of a spark indicates the need to replace the tested product.

Conclusion

Faulty spark plugs lead to unpleasant symptoms in the car:

• excessive fuel consumption by the car;
• poor start of the power unit when cold;
• reduction in engine efficiency;
• unstable engine operation;
• insufficient number of revolutions;
• engine breakdown.

The above-described malfunctions occur not only when driving on worn-out spark plugs; such interruptions in the operation of the car can also be observed after installing a completely new spark plug set. Often among 10 new SZ there are 30% of non-functional products. Therefore, it is worth checking the spark plugs under pressure before installing them on the power unit; this procedure will not take much time. To carry out diagnostics, you can buy a special tester at a car dealership or build one yourself. Please note: the conditions on the SZ testing stand are different from the real ones, so if there is no spark plug during diagnostics, you can safely report a SZ malfunction.

Reliable ways to check spark plugs yourself

As you know, the performance of spark plugs (SPS) plays one of the key roles in the functionality of the power unit of a car engine. The failure of these elements entails certain problems that any car enthusiast should be aware of. How to check the engine spark plugs yourself at home and how to identify the malfunction - read below.

How to identify faults?

It is not so difficult to determine the performance of the SZ on your own - this can be done both by visual inspection and by analyzing the performance of the engine. One of the main symptoms of an SZ failure is non-standard engine operation. In particular, we are talking about the difficult start of the power unit, its unstable operation, in particular at idle speed.

But besides these symptoms, there are many other signs, which are given below:

1. In particular, we are talking about the rotation of the crankshaft. The crankshaft rotates at the required frequency, but the power unit does not start because ignition, i.e., ignition of the air mixture, does not occur in the system.
2. Presence of flashes in the cylinders. If flashes of the air-fuel mixture occur in the cylinders, this can lead to unstable engine operation. In particular, the internal combustion engine will work intermittently.
3. Poor engine starting. In principle, the engine can start, but if the starter stops working, the engine also stops.
4. Increased gasoline consumption. If there is no ignition of the air-fuel mixture, then engine power is either reduced or completely lost. Accordingly, compensation of engine power is carried out as a result of supplying an increased portion of fuel to the cylinders. Ultimately, this leads to excessive fuel consumption.
5. Failure of the catalyst. If the system does not ignite, the air-fuel mixture will not be able to ignite. Fuel that does not ignite will enter the catalyst and oxidize, thus contributing to its failure.
6. Problems starting a cold engine. At the moment when the driver turns the key in the ignition switch, cold SZ can collect condensation, which in itself is a good electrical conductor. If the gap between the SZ electrodes is increased, the breakdown voltage level should be increased. However, at home it is impossible to increase it, since electricity will flow through these same electrodes and ceramic cone.
7. Another, no less important sign is the presence of traces of mechanical damage on the surface of the spark plug. This indicates, if not a complete breakdown, then at least incorrect operation of the SZ, which over time can lead to its failure.
8. Presence of soot and deposits on the SZ electrodes. In addition, if the SZ smells of fuel, this indicates a malfunction of the system itself, as well as the spark plugs.
9. High-voltage cables on the NW can also contribute to the deterioration of engine performance. Especially if these wires are damaged.

Two SZ - with and without plaque

Diagnostic methods

How do you check the spark plugs yourself in your car? The SZ, which is one of the main components of the system as a whole, requires periodic diagnostics and regular maintenance, especially if engine maintenance is carried out. Basically, SZ are accessible for diagnostics, so dismantling them and checking them is not a problem. After removing them, it is advisable not to mix them up, so put them in order.

So how can you check the spark plugs yourself? There are several options that allow you to make the most productive diagnosis of SZ. To perform the verification procedure, you first need to disconnect the high-voltage cables from the SZ that go to the distributor. If you need to identify a specific non-working SZ, you need to remove it and listen to how the motor functions. If, when removing the spark plug, the engine sound remains the same, then the fault lies precisely there.

Spark test

Spark diagnostics are one of the most popular and used testing options. How to check a spark on a spark plug at home? To begin, clean the SZ from carbon deposits and contaminants. Then, using a feeler gauge - a device for adjusting the gap - adjust the distance between the electrodes. Then, after working with the probe, a wire is put on the spark plug, after which it is applied to the metal part of the car engine.

This is done in order to create the necessary electrical contact. If you don't know how to check a spark plug this way, just turn on the starter and try to start the engine. If the spark is blue and appears immediately when you try to start the internal combustion engine, then this indicates the serviceability of the engine protection system. If the spark is red or absent, then the spark plug needs to be changed.

Checking with a multimeter

You can use a special device for testing - it is called a tester or multimeter. It should be noted that the tester is not a test stand; stands are usually used at service stations and are not used for diagnostics at home. Using the tester probes, you can measure the device for an internal short circuit.

In general, a multimeter is a fairly simple device to use and has a simple design. To diagnose a short circuit, place one tester probe on the output of the SZ, and the other probe on its base. If at the moment of connection you see a spark, then everything is fine with the candles, you can use it further (the author of the video is Dmitry Maznitsyn).

Pistol check

There is another option for checking the performance of devices at home. To do this, you will need a special spark plug test gun. Such a device appeared quite a long time ago, but it became widespread among domestic motorists relatively recently.

In this case, the spark plugs are checked under pressure, the procedure is carried out as follows:

1. The SZ is installed in a special connector of the device, after which the cap is put on it.
2. When the spark plug is fixed, you need to press the so-called trigger on the device, after which the car enthusiast needs to be very careful.
3. If, after pressing the trigger, you notice a spark and the lamp on the gun lights up, this indicates that the part is working.

It should be noted that this verification option is not widely used among our motorists because it cannot provide complete confidence in the performance of the SZ. This is because the procedure is carried out under pressure, and the pressure in the gun is significantly different from that used in the automotive system. But on the other hand, the method of checking with a pistol will allow the driver to be completely confident that the SZ is not working if this was revealed during the diagnosis (the author of the video is Nail Poroshin).

Self-cleaning of SZ

The SZ cleaning procedure is a fairly important issue for any car enthusiast. You need to understand that when cleaning the candle yourself, you need to be very careful and attentive, otherwise you may simply ruin the spark plug.

To do the cleaning, you can use several methods, a detailed description of each of them is given below:

1. The manual cleaning procedure is the most popular method, since it does not require additional equipment. During manual cleaning you need to be careful. Because careless actions may damage the electrode. Do not use sharp objects for cleaning. To do this, you can use a hard metal or toothbrush, or fine-grained sandpaper will also work.
2. In some cases, sand can be used for cleaning; by the way, this option is one of the most effective. You will need a container of sand and a drill. A spark plug is installed in the drill, the end with the electrode is placed in the sand, after which the drill is started at low speeds.
3. Using a sandblasting machine - this method is more relevant for specialized stations. To remove deposits and carbon deposits, several types of sand are used; the method itself is carried out using compressed air. It should be noted that this method is one of the most effective.
4. The chemical cleaning option also effectively removes deposits. Several means can be used for this - vinegar, acetone, Fairy detergent. You can also use carburetor cleaning fluid or rust remover for these purposes. In addition, some car enthusiasts use the Coca-Cola drink - as practice shows, this method is also quite effective.
5. For cleaning, you can use acetone or any rust remover. One of these products must be applied to the surface, and the layer should be about 3 mm. The candle must be kept for about 40 minutes, then rinsed with plain water. Use a wooden stick or match to clean the tip.
6. Use of silite. SZ are placed in a jar, after which the container is filled with silyte, and then subjected to pressure of hot water, ultimately a chemical reaction occurs. Then you need to wait an hour, after which, using a regular toothbrush, you can clean the surface of the electrode.
7. The “old-fashioned” method of cleaning is using vinegar. The candle is placed in a container with vinegar for one hour. Next, you need to add a few drops of electrolyte to the solution, after which the SZ is cleaned; you can use a toothpick for this. More details about cleaning and ways to determine the cause of carbon deposits are described in this article.

Experts do not recommend checking the operation of spark plugs by removing the caps while the engine is running. Firstly, it can give you an electric shock, and secondly, you can burn the coil or switch.

Video “Homemade device for diagnosing SZ”

How a homemade device for checking spark plugs allows you to make diagnostics - see the video below (video author - Olegsh).

How to make a spark plug tester

Making a simple ignition tester with your own hands

One of the most common breakdowns in gasoline cars is ignition problems. In this article we will tell you how you can easily and simply make a portable ignition tester for your car using available materials. We need:

• syringe (20 cubes)
• the wire
• spark plug (any old or unwanted one will do)

We cut off the thread of the candle in a circle. We will use it as a connector for connecting the ignition module or high-voltage wires.

You should end up with something similar to this: you need to cut the threads, but leave the insulator intact.

We take the syringe and cut off its nose. We also remove the piston. We make a hole strictly in the center and insert our candle there. It is best to make the hole using a soldering iron. This is what the picture should ideally look like:

After this, glue the candle to the syringe using thermal or superglue. We make a hole in the center of the piston, insert a wire into it and also secure it. On the other side, we attach a crocodile clip to the wire. We will hook it to ground.

We insert the piston into the syringe and get a fairly simple spark gap. In addition, we also change the distance to the spark. When checking, it will not matter to us whether the car has a common ignition module or a separate one. We hook the crocodile to ground, remove the high-voltage wire from the car and put it on the tester. If everything is good, then we will see a spark inside the syringe.

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How to check spark plugs for spark without a device? 100% method!

The engine has stalled and refuses to start... the picture is very sad. But don’t despair: one of the most common reasons is a simple lack of spark due to faulty spark plugs. Replacing spark plugs takes a maximum of 20 minutes, after which you can safely drive on. Therefore, you need to know how to check their functionality. Location of candles. May experienced drivers forgive me, but I cannot help but mention where the spark plugs are located. It is unlikely that anyone will look for them in the glove compartment or trunk, but still... The spark plugs are located in the spark plug wells in the engine cylinder heads. Roughly speaking, we find the engine, determine where the cylinders are. After that, on top of each of them we find a candle well. Attention, the wells may be under a decorative casing. After the spark plugs are found, you need to unscrew them. To do this, we use a spark plug wrench (on some cars, the spark plugs are heavily “recessed” into the wells, so it will be difficult to access with a regular wrench; you will need a special one). Next, we check the spark plug for serviceability. Using the old-fashioned method, we do it this way: we insert the spark plug base into the tip of the high-voltage wire and lean the spark plug against any large unpainted (!) part of the engine (which is called “ground”). In this case, you need to ask someone to “turn the starter.” If the spark plug is working properly, a blue spark will be visible running between the electrodes. You can only touch the spark plug insulator with your hands! A short-term electric shock of several thousand volts is practically safe for health, but extremely unpleasant. As an alternative to this method (or if it is inconvenient to lean the spark plug against ground due to the design features of the engine), you can use a multimeter to check the spark plugs for a short circuit. The testing algorithm is exactly the same: one multimeter wire to the base, the second to the spark plug thread. https://zen.yandex.ru/media/vladimirskiy_tyazhelovoz/

Homemade car spark plug tester

Hi all! Almost every car driver has encountered a problem when it was necessary to check the ignition system, namely the car's spark plug. We can do this ourselves, without the help of a car service specialist.
First you need to remove all the spark plugs from the cylinder head. Then you should look at them carefully to see if there is any soot residue. If there is soot, you should take a piece of fine sandpaper and remove it. The second thing you need to pay attention to is the play between these two electrodes; it should be 0.7-0.9 mm. If it is smaller, you need to bend the side electrode a little, and if there is more play, you need to bend it a little. Additionally, we must check the spark plug to see if it produces a spark. You can do this by tying four plugs together with a wire, insulating it and connecting the high voltage wires, turning the engine with the starter, watching for a spark. The problem is that it requires two people. You need to spin the engine using the starter and see if there is a spark from the spark plug. Today I will show you how to make a simple spark plug tester. For testing we will need a small alligator clip with a wire, another large alligator clip, a piezoelectric lighter element and a spark plug.

The article was written based on materials from the sites: pro-zamenu.ru, avtozam.com, izobreteniya.net.

Due to the fact that these parts are the main element that drives the cylinders by igniting the combustible mixture, there is a test device for spark plugs. Industrial designs that are available at service stations or sold in specialized stores. But you can do it yourself, which will help the car enthusiast save a significant amount of money. Therefore, how to make a device for cleaning and checking spark plugs with your own hands and the functions of industrial products will be discussed below.

Devices available for testing ignition elements

In a spark plug, the most important element is the spark, which occurs between its electrodes and ignites the fuel mixture. The power of the motor and its proper operation will depend on its strength. It is clear that if a car owner notices that his power unit is not working correctly, he must, first of all, make sure that there is a spark, but it is not realistic to do this if the spark plug is in the engine block.

Therefore, he is faced with the question of how to check the spark plugs. Of course, you can immediately go to a service station, where professionals will do it for a fee, you can go to a specialized store where you can buy the necessary equipment, or there is the option of doing everything yourself.

Let's consider a device for checking spark plugs sl 100, which is universal, and all specialized equipment at service stations operates on its basis.

It is a special box, inside of which there is equipment that supplies the necessary current for checking spark plugs, as well as a pressure power unit that can create pressure equal to engine speed from 1000 to 5000 rpm, that is, the cycle at which the ignition elements operate is completely repeated , which are located in the power unit during vehicle operation.

The principle of its operation is as follows:

• the candle with its working part is screwed into a special glass, which has a viewing window, for this purpose, on its surface, to check the spark, a metal glass with a thread is screwed into it, into which a candle is screwed, on top of which there is a viewing glass so that you can see the spark;
• a high-voltage wire is connected to the spark plug being tested and a high current is supplied, this is done with the help of a device that completely recreates the operation of the ignition coil in the power unit, this is necessary to check the spark plugs for the strength of the resulting spark, which can be observed through the viewing window of the device;
• set of required speeds, an important part of checking the operation of these elements is testing them under pressure, that is, a car enthusiast or specialist checks the formation of a spark and its strength at different speeds (in the range of 1000-5000 rpm).

It is important to remember that this device can even detect misfires and the reasons for which they occur.

This is done when testing occurs at minimum and maximum speeds.

What can be determined with this device

Testing the ignition elements, therefore, gives the following results, after seeing which the car enthusiast will be able to get a complete picture of their operation.

1. Spark power. By its color, a car enthusiast can always understand whether it ignites the fuel mixture sufficiently. The strongest spark is white and blue, the weakest is pink. Or it may be that it is completely absent.
2. Spark behavior at different speeds. As mentioned above, this device also diagnoses the operation of electrodes under pressure, recreating the minimum and maximum speed. Therefore, by observing the formation of a spark at different pressures, the car enthusiast will see the behavior of the electrodes under pressure and how they form a spark.
3. You can also use this device to clean spark plugs.. This is done simply. If the electrodes of the spark plugs are made of precious metals, then to clean the spark plugs you only need a powerful spark. After all, there is no fuel that should be ignited, without giving additional carbon deposits to the electrodes. That is, a powerful spark acts on the surface to be cleaned, which, literally, under high pressure, will begin to burn the deposits formed from the surface of the electrodes.

These are the important functions available on the device marked sl 100.

There are also other devices that can only be used to check the ignition elements for the presence of a spark. But unfortunately, they do not give such an effect as a complete diagnosis of the work cycle.

You need to remember that a situation may arise in which testing the electrodes shows perfect operation at all speeds, and after screwing them into the power unit, the car will not work well. In this case, a possible cause of poor engine performance may be the contact group of the ignition switch. A short circuit may occur in it, which will affect the current strength in the entire circuit of the machine.

Making a homemade diagnostic device

Of course, if a car enthusiast has a great desire to check the electrodes of the ignition elements on his own, without making large expenses, he needs to make the above-described device himself.

It must be said right away that a homemade device for cleaning and checking spark plugs based on the sl 100 will perform the same functions as an industrial one, but its assembly will cost several times less than a store-bought equivalent.

Therefore, to make it yourself, a car enthusiast must have some patience and buy (find in his garage) some parts.

Its detailed diagram is shown in the photo:

The main elements for its manufacture will be the following parts:

• car ignition coil, you can use a used one, but in working condition;
• a metal glass with an observation window, a candle is screwed into it, and a tonometer is also connected, with a device for creating pressure, possibly with a diameter of 203 mm;
• tonometer with pressure pump;
• terminals for connecting the device to electricity;
• parts that convert low current to high current.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated in this device, and it can be easily made at home.

The main condition is the availability of high-quality parts with which such a device will be manufactured. It is done in a garage, but saves a lot of time and money.

It is important to remember that on the Internet you can find a lot of advice on making such a device. If a car enthusiast does not have sufficient knowledge, but has a great desire to do it, then it is better to turn to a specialist for help.

The device he makes will still be cheaper than its store-bought counterpart.

A device for testing these elements of the power unit carries functions such as the ability to see the spark created by the spark plugs and determine its strength, as well as test the operation of these parts under various loads similar to those that occur in the combustion chamber.

Spark plugs are a special device that is designed to quickly ignite the combustible mixture inside the combustion chamber. Spark plugs are widely used in internal combustion engines.

The mixture is ignited by creating a spark discharge of high voltage electric current at the end of the spark plug.

For proper engine operation, it is extremely important that all spark plugs provided by the manufacturer are in good condition. This guarantees its stable operation and the highest possible efficiency.

Signs of faulty spark plugs

If the engine idles unsteadily when warm, or is difficult to start, this is a sure sign of a faulty spark plug. In addition, it may not develop full power, and fuel consumption, at the same time, increases significantly.

These signs most often indicate a malfunction of 1 spark plug if the engine is 4-cylinder, 2 or more if there are 6-8 cylinders.

Methods for detecting a faulty spark plug

1 . It is the simplest and requires caution, as it involves work involving touching high-voltage wires. To determine a faulty spark plug, it is necessary to pull out the high-voltage wires attached to the tips of the spark plugs one by one. If the spark plug is working, then the operation of the engine should change dramatically, namely, the revolutions decrease sharply and lead to the fact that the engine will eventually stall. In this case, insert the wire into place and try to pull out the next one. If, when the wire is removed, the engine operation remains unchanged, then the spark plug attached to this wire is inoperative.

Attention! When using this method, you need to work with one hand and not allow other parts of the body to come into contact with the car body in order to eliminate the possibility of electric shock. Ideally, it is better to perform such an operation while wearing dielectric gloves.

2 . To perform this method, it is highly recommended to use the same precautions as for the first method. The spark plug must be unscrewed and connected to the high-voltage wire. Place the end of the spark plug on the cylinder head cover and ask your assistant to turn the starter on and off immediately. As the starter rotates, a bright blue spark will appear at the end of the working spark plug. This indicates that the spark plug is in good condition. A spark of any other color indicates a malfunction of the spark plug, most often its internal short circuit.

3 . If the first two methods are “folk” and unsafe, then the next method is professional and, in the same way, does not require special skills and abilities. This is done using a special device - a spark plug test gun.

Spark plug testing device "TEST-M"

This is the simplest and cheapest spark plug tester. It is a gun with a tip (probe), an indicator lamp and a plastic cap with a core inside, connected by a wire. A small generator is installed inside the device, which serves to test the spark plug. When diagnosing spark plugs, it does not require starting the engine and will save gasoline for the car owner.

Before checking, make sure that there are no external defects on the spark plugs, since when diagnosing externally faulty spark plugs, the device does not guarantee high accuracy of readings.

To check, you need to remove the high-voltage wire and put the device cap in its place. The probe of the device must be rested against the cylinder head. Then press the gun button several times and release it. The presence of flashes on the indicator lamp indicates that the spark plug is in good condition, while its absence indicates a malfunction of the spark plug.

The cost of such a device, on average, is 200 rubles, which makes it affordable not only for car service workers, but also for ordinary car enthusiasts who practice car repairs with their own hands.

Video - How to check spark plugs under pressure

That's all. As you noticed, checking spark plugs with your own hands is not a complicated operation and does not require special knowledge and skills from the driver, which are taught in special institutions. Good luck on the roads!

Every car enthusiast has more than once encountered such a problem that it is very urgent to check the car’s ignition system, namely the spark in the spark plugs. It is very easy to do this yourself, without seeking help from specialists who work in service centers.

How to do this - watch the video:

To create a tester you will need:
- candle;
- crocodile with wiring;
- a big crocodile;
- piezoelectric element from a lighter;
- soldering iron;
- electrical tape4
- glue gun.

The first step is to remove the spark plug from the cylinder head and carefully inspect it. Be sure to pay attention to the presence of carbon deposits on it and its quantity. If carbon deposits are present, it can be removed with a small piece of sandpaper, thoroughly cleaning everything. But remember that you need to use the finest sandpaper.

What else we pay attention to during inspection is the gap between the two outer electrodes. It should be 0.7 - 0.9 mm. If the gap is slightly smaller, then in this case the side electrode should be slightly bent to the required distance. And if it turns out to be larger, bend it a little.

In addition, you need to remember that you should check the spark plug itself to see if it produces a spark. There are several ways to check this. For example, tie four spark plugs together with wire, which is grounded to the ground of the car. After this, connect the ends of the high-voltage wires. And then crank the engine with the starter and watch for the spark. The disadvantage of this method is that it requires two people. one will crank the engine with the starter. And the second one is to watch for the spark.

Therefore, we offer a simpler option for checking the spark plug.

We solder the wire from the small crocodile to the piezoelectric element, which in turn is soldered to the large crocodile. The soldering areas are carefully insulated using electrical tape. This is necessary so that the spark does not break through anywhere. You can also fill the insulation areas with hot glue.