- It is important to keep your vehicle tuned up. That includes having spark plugs replaced. Spark plugs last longer than they used too -- now you can get up to 25,000 to 30,000 miles on some vehicles and even up to 150,000 miles on some. If you have an oily residue on the spark plugs (figure A), it would cause the plugs not to ignite the ignition. When they get black and sooty or shiny and oily, you should have your engine checked out.
- Another thing to check out is the plug wires (figure B). The plug wires give the power to the spark plug and the wire has to have proper flow of electrons. The wire can't be compromised by cracked insulation or fatigued rubber insulation. Be sure they are getting good power from the wires -- you or your technician can check it with an OHM meter according to the specifications for your vehicle.
- Another consideration on power to the plug is the distributor cap (figure C) and rotor. The cap has electrodes in it and that provides power to the plug. They can get fatigued by heat and need to be replaced on a regular basis.
- Last of all, on later model ignition system vehicles, there is an O2 sensor (figure D). An oxygen sensor allows your computer to measure the oxygen content of the fuel mixture. That can be checked by your technician or, if you are an advanced do-it-yourselfer, shop manuals do have a procedure for checking the 02 sensor operation.
RESOURCES :
Dye Ink, Alcohol Ink
Ranger Industries, Inc.
Website: www.rangerink.com
Bend-Pak, Inc.
Website: www.bendpak.com
Gladiator GarageWorks Information
Gladiator GarageWorks
Website: www.gladiatorgw.com
Old World Industries, Inc.
4065 Commercial Ave.
Northbrook, IL 60062-1851
Website: www.oldworldind.com
Wix Filters
PO Box 1967
Gastonia, NC 28053-1967
Customer Service Phone: 704-864-6748
Website: www.wixfilters.com
WD-40 Company
Corporate Brand Support Centre
1061 Cudahy Place
San Diego, CA 92110-3929
Toll-free: 800-448-9340
Phone: 619-275-1400
Website: www.wd40.com
Making Sense of Car Care: AAA Auto Guide
1562515780
John Nielsen and Steve Bodofsky
(October 2001)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
American Automobile Association
GUESTS :
Jeff Lagges
Autozone
9412 Big Horn Blvd.
Elk Grove, CA 95758
Phone: 800-829-8727
Website: www.autozone.com
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