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Niterra Adds More Coverage for Spark Plugs, Ignition Coils
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By Counterman
Spark plugs are the “canary in the coal mine” of the combustion chamber. The electrodes and porcelain can reveal short- and long-term problems if you know where to look.
Most OE spark plugs have a life of more than 50,000 miles, thanks to electrodes that contain precious metals like platinum and iridium. OEMs consider the spark plugs a part of the emissions system on most modern vehicles.
If the plugs fail sooner than the recommended interval, it’s important to solve the problem before installing new plugs. If you’re replacing spark plugs to solve a misfire problem, the car will be back.
But first, what causes spark plugs to foul quickly? What does a fouled spark plug look like, and what is spark plug fouling?
Carbon Fouling
If the spark plugs have a matte black or grey appearance, it could be carbon fouling – something typically caused by a fuel mixture that’s too rich.
During normal combustion, most of the fuel oxidizes and changes into carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide gas. When there is more fuel than oxygen, the carbon in the unburned fuel polymerizes into carbon deposits. These molecules like to stick to the hot spots in the combustion chamber, and this includes the spark plug’s tip and insulator.
Curing the problem will typically point to the fuel system and how the engine is breathing. If a fuel injector is clogged or sticking open, extra fuel can cause carbon problems.
If the mass airflow sensor or oxygen sensors aren‘t accurately reporting the air that’s coming into the engine or the oxygen content in the exhaust stream, it could cause a rich-running condition that can cause carbon to foul the spark plugs.
Another factor is how the air flows past the valves. If the air is restricted or has to flow past carbon deposits on the intake valves, it will be turbulent and disturb the flame front and fuel-droplet size in the combustion chamber. This means that the fuel injected into the intake port or combustion chamber won’t entirely burn.
Oil Fouling
Oil fouling of a spark plug typically results in a shiny, black appearance. If enough oil is in the combustion chamber, the deposits can build up on the tip, porcelain or shell.
If you can’t determine if it’s carbon or oil fouling, smell the plug; it will smell like engine oil. The oil can come from the piston rings, valve stem seals or the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system. Leaking piston rings can be diagnosed with a leak-down test. If one cylinder has oil fouling, a relative compression check can help to assess mechanical issues with that cylinder.
Malfunctioning PCV systems are becoming a leading cause of oil fouling in modern engines. These systems have become more than just a spring-loaded check valve. Modern systems can separate oil from the crankcase vapors and electronically regulate when the engine ingests the vapors.
Some PCV systems have a heater to ensure that the valve doesn’t freeze under certain conditions when condensation is present. If the valve does freeze, it can cause higher-than-normal crankcase pressure. This can cause oil to be forced past the valve seals.
If the PCV valve is stuck open, the excess vapors and oil droplets can quickly foul the spark plugs.
A failed turbocharger can be another source of spark plug oil fouling. The seals on the turbine shaft are robust, but they can be victims of heat and poor oil quality. The oil that lubricates the shaft can enter into the pressurized intake and eventually the combustion chamber.
OEMs have issued technical service bulletins concerning excessive oil consumption. Most of these problems relate to cylinder deactivation and variable valve timing (VVT).
The main culprit in these problems is vacuum generated in the cylinders that sucks engine oil past the rings and into the combustion chamber. On vehicles with cylinder deactivation, the deactivated cylinder has negative pressure and draws oil droplets in the crankcase past the ring and eventually into the converter. This has happened on some GM and Honda engines.
On some vehicles with VVT (typically on the exhaust and intake cams), the valve timing could produce higher-than-normal vacuum pressures that could suck oil past the rings. This was the case for some recent Toyota, Honda and GM models. The customer would report increased oil consumption that exceeded one quart every1,000 miles.
Beyond the oil getting past the rings, the oil trapped in the rings can become carbonized and cause damage to the cylinder walls. This can lead to even more damage and more oil consumption. In some cases, the oil consumption results in a low-oil condition that would cause damage to the bearing surfaces.
Coolant Problems
Internal coolant leaks can foul a spark plug and cause a misfire. The problem could be a leaking intake manifold or a head gasket, and the fouled plug might be localized to one or two adjacent cylinders. The burned coolant leaves ashy, white deposits on the electrodes and insulator, creating hot spots that could cause pre-ignition and a misfire code to be set.
When the plug is pulled, it might have a chalky appearance on the ground strap and center electrode. Modern coolants don’t cause this type of buildup quickly, due to the reduction of phosphate, zinc and other additives that can contaminate the catalytic converters.
In the past, the converter would become clogged and stop the engine before significant damage occurred.
Unfortunately, formulations mean that drivers can run a vehicle with a coolant leak for several thousand miles, while the plug becomes slowly fouled.
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By Counterman
The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies announced that industry veteran Candy Daume has joined its team as a new program manager.
Daume will be working with the company’s supplier partners to refine and develop parts-purchasing programs for its distributor network, VIPAR noted.
Daume has more than 25 years of heavy-duty aftermarket experience, including experience as COO of a large distributor with responsibility for multiple locations and nearly 100 employees.
“We’re excited Candy is joining our team and the wealth of experience and expertise she brings to our organization,” said Larry Griffin, VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies’ vice president of program management. “She will be instrumental in serving our VIPAR Heavy Duty and Power Heavy Duty distributors, as well as our supplier partners, through development of innovative programs to ensure our network’s continued success.”
Daume is a graduate of Lake Land College in Mattoon, Illinois.
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By Counterman
NPW announced the addition of Automotive Installers Warehouse (AIW) to its network.
AIW, a customer of NPW since 2013, has joined forces with NPW as part of its ongoing growth efforts.
Under the leadership of owner Omar Mesa, “AIW has consistently delivered exceptional service and expertise to its customers,” NPW said in a news release.
Mesa has transitioned to NPW with the move, “bringing his wealth of experience and industry knowledge to the team.”
“NPW has been a great partner to AIW over the years, and I am excited to continue serving our customers as part of the NPW family,” Mesa said.
As part of the integration process, AIW’s location was consolidated into NPW’s Miami location, further optimizing operations and enhancing service efficiency, according to NPW.
“We are thrilled to welcome AIW to NPW and are confident that their expertise and customer-centric approach will enhance our capabilities in serving this market,” NPW CEO Chris Pacey said. “This expansion aligns with our strategic goal of strengthening our presence in South Florida, and we look forward to leveraging AIW’s resources to better serve our customers in this region.”
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By Counterman
Plews & Edelmann recently announced a new factory-direct shipping program for power-steering hose customers in the United States.
“This progressive logistics solution provides domestic quality and service that exceeds overseas direct-import options,” the company said in a news release. “
Leveraging the company’s “North American supply chain sophistication,” Plews & Edelmann said the factory-direct shipping program offers benefits such as:
U.S.-based order fulfillment, avoiding international customs and duties 30-day lead times, significantly improving upon the 90-day lead times often required 95%+ order fill, eliminating global supply chain complexity and unpredictability Full container load efficiency, producing lower shipping costs “We developed this near-shore shipping program to give customers a domestic and direct import option,” said Tony Edwards, VP of sales. “Due to our North American supply chain capability, we can fulfill orders more efficiently while delivering exceptional quality and service.”
The factory-direct program is currently available for Edelmann-brand power-steering hoses. Minimum order quantities apply to qualify.
Interested customers can learn more by contacting their sales manager or
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