Black or red carbon on spark plugs: causes

Sometimes motorists are faced with various problems in their cars. For the diagnosis there are many options. Specialized diagnostics allows to estimate, in what state the engine is, how its compression has changed. With the help of computer diagnostics you can find out more useful information. But for this it is necessary to have certain skills and special equipment, which most car owners simply do not have.

But experienced motorists know that the malfunction can still be assessed without the use of additional devices. The diagnosis can be easily put, having studied a deposit on candles of ignition. The reasons for carbon formation can be completely different. We will now consider them.

Typical errors in diagnosis

To get the most reliable result of such a test, you need to inspect the candles that have been used for a long time with the motor. If they are new or are not used for a long time, then the carbon deposits simply do not have time to form and it will not be possible to find out why the motor suddenly began to work incorrectly. Often in winter, when trying to start a cold engine, many people hear a characteristic foreign noise that indicates the uneven operation of the unit and immediately inspect the candles. This is fundamentally wrong, because the black candle on the spark plugs, which will be detected with a high probability, will only indicate a too rich fuel mixture, which is quite appropriate when the street frost. While the engine is not heated enough, the fuel does not burn completely, and the unstable operation of the unit may be due to a broken air duct. In order to supply the engine with the correct diagnosis, it is necessary to equip it with serviceable candles and use them for more than 200 km. This will exclude various errors, and then you can safely study the burning on the spark plugs, the causes of the deposit will indicate a malfunction.

Types of carbon deposits

If the study of pre-twisted elements on the insulator has deposits, and their color varies from the color of coffee to light brown, then you do not have to worry. The engine is OK. You can see how the candle on the spark plug looks. Reasons, photo for each case, see below. If there are no oil marks on them, this also confirms the serviceability of the power unit. If the color of the deposits is different, then it is necessary to thoroughly examine the engine for any malfunctions. There are black, white, red carbon on spark plugs, traces of gasoline or oil, fly ash, erosion.

If the black deposit is black

If a plaque is found on the surface of the candle in black, reminiscent of velvet, then you can with all boldness declare an enriched fuel mixture. Among the reasons for the formation are incorrect carburetor settings or engine failures in the engine control unit. Also black candle on the spark plugs is formed due to a faulty lambda probe, a fairly clogged air filter, various problems in the air damper mechanism.

If the deposit is white

The white color of the deposit indicates that the mixture is too lean. It is impossible to overlook this phenomenon, as a result of this small problem can lead to reflow of candles or serious overheating of the cylinder and combustion chamber. This can result in burnout of the exhaust valves. To all this did not happen, it is important to take the right measures urgently. First of all, it is necessary to establish why the white carbon was formed on the spark plugs. The reasons are cheap and substandard fuel, incorrect ignition timing, improper selection of candles.

Red carbon deposit

This plaque, in color reminiscent of red brick, can be formed due to the operation of the engine on fuel grades with an increased content of lead and other metal compounds. All the blame for various popular liquids and additives, which raise the octane number of gasoline. So, if the engine is operated on leaded fuel, the spark simply can not form normally. Therefore, the red carbon on the spark plugs is the reason for a more serious inspection of the power unit in the workshop with computer equipment.

Erosion

Long work of the motor on the worked out candles can lead to the appearance of traces of erosion on the electrodes. At the same time, the work of the motor can be observed unstable operation at idle, a significant reduction in power, troen.

In addition, that there was not observed the replacement interval, there is another reason for this phenomenon. It's gasoline with teretal lead. Candles should be urgently replaced and the engine must be switched to high-quality fuel. Probably, after that it will be possible to get rid of erosion.

Ash

The reason for the formation of fly ash is the ingress of oil into the cylinders. This happens either because the cylinders are exhausted, or because of the presence of piston rings. Often such a deposit is formed on spark plugs. The reasons (VAZ-2114 are oil seals): piston rings and other consumables. To confirm this diagnosis, it is necessary to observe the oil consumption and the color of the exhaust gases. The color of the exhaust will be blue, and appetites for lubrication increase.

Footprints from gasoline

If the candles are constantly filled with gasoline while the engine is running, this can only indicate different problems in the ignition system of the injector and carburetor engines. To put a more accurate diagnosis, put new candles. If they are covered with fuel after use, then the machine needs repair.

Oil marks

Often the power unit works with strong vibrations. From the exhaust pipe comes white and blue smoke. In this case, too, there is an increased oil consumption. Often, oil marks on the candle indicate an incorrect temperature mode in the combustion chambers, which causes burning on the spark plugs. The reasons for this are the wear of the piston rings, oil suction caps and valve guide sleeves. In other words, such traces indicate the destruction of seals or internal parts. This is a dangerous situation. Particles of metal when the motor works will get into the moving element and will work as an abrasive, which eventually leads to a major overhaul of the motor. By the way, not only on cars there is a deposit on candles of ignition. The reasons for the scooter are actually the same. Black color indicates an incorrect tuning of the carburetor. All those reasons that lead to carbon candles on the car are also relevant and can help in diagnostics and other modes of transport where an internal combustion engine is used.

How to get rid of carbon deposits

If you drive a car for short distances and not too often, and the annual mileage is up to 12 thousand km, then it is recommended to clean the candles before the beginning of winter and summer. If the car is constantly experiencing serious enough loads, then the frequency of cleaning should be increased. Cleaning of candles is done with the help of special auto chemistry. They are removed and degreased, then thoroughly dried and immersed in a solution of ammonium acetate for 20 minutes. Then carefully clean the candles with a brush. Do not use metal objects instead of brushes. They will leave on the insulator scratches, which then will quickly form a deposit on the spark plugs. The reasons (VAZ-2110 - not an exception) can be determined by the color of the candle.

If there is no ammonium solution, then the rust converter is suitable. The composition is poured into the container, and the candle is lowered there so that the solution covers only the part with the thread and the lower part of the part itself.

To prevent the build-up of carbon deposits at all, it is necessary to fill your favorite car with high-quality fuel, carefully monitor the serviceability of all systems, always monitor the behavior of the engine. But if suddenly the engine is bungled, candles can always be diagnosed.