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Spark Plugs Need to Be Replaced Periodically
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By Counterman
On modern vehicles, overheating is a rare occurrence thanks to high-quality hoses, thermostats and better engine management. Unfortunately, the weak point is still the coolant. Whether it’s a 100,000-mile or 150,000-mile coolant, eventually it will break down and lose the ability to protect the components with which it comes into contact.
Coolant at 100,000 miles may look the same as coolant with zero miles, as the real difference between good and bad coolant can’t be seen with the naked eye; it is in the chemistry and based on mileage.
Coolant contains additives called buffers that keep it at a neutral pH but these buffers are meant to last forever. When these chemicals become depleted, the pH can’t be controlled. It rises dramatically in a short period of time the moment the buffers are fully depleted. This is why replacing the coolant at the recommended interval is critical.
Coolant has two specifications that can be used to justify replacement — the condition of the additive package and the freezing point.
The additive package is the secret sauce for a coolant. Its main function is to control corrosion. Other components of the additive help with heat transfer and cavitation reduction. Some additive packages use seal conditioners to extend the life of the gaskets and plastic carriers.
The freezing point is measured by the overall specific gravity of the coolant, which has a direct relationship to the coolant/water mixture. This test can help spot coolant that has been compromised by the owner topping off with water. This measurement works well on systems that do not have pressurized reservoirs.
The strength or freezing point of coolant can be measured with a simple hydrometer. This device uses a calibrated float or plastic balls (not as accurate) to show the specific gravity of the coolant. This, in turn, shows how much freezing/boiling protection the coolant offers. You must remember to compensate for temperature because the specific gravity (density) of the coolant is lower when the coolant is hot.
The more professional tool for this purpose is an optical refractometer because it is very accurate and automatically compensates for temperature. Be aware: these are not simple, inexpensive tools. A refractometer can cost up to $300 or more because of the precision optics in its lens. Ethylene glycol (EG) and polyethylene glycol (PG) antifreeze have slightly different densities, so you have to use a hydrometer or refractometer with the appropriate scale (or one with a dual scale) for accurate test results.
Color-coded chemical test strips that are dipped into the coolant can be used to quickly and easily reveal the condition of the coolant. These strips of coated capillary paper react to the presence of certain dissolved minerals in the coolant and change color to give a good, marginal or bad indication of the coolant’s pH condition. Some test strips also show the concentration of antifreeze in the coolant.
The added benefit of test strips is that the results can be shared with the owner by attaching the used strip to the inspection form.
But, mileage is the gold standard for any coolant replacement recommendation. Engineers and chemists spend a lot of time formulating the coolant to match the engine and interval.
If you are performing a water pump, heater core or hose repair, recommend a full coolant flush. Just topping off the coolant can lead to a mixed bag when measuring the pH and freezing point. Also, check the specific gravity before a repair. Many customers know how to top off their coolant with water that could dilute the coolant concentration.
Selling any fluid maintenance service is difficult these days. But, if you document and educate customers on the importance of coolant, it becomes more than just an “add on” service.
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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
NTN Bearing Corp. of America is sharing its story of support for a local animal rescue.
On Nov. 16, NTN donated a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van with its cargo hold full of supplies to Wright-Way Rescue, but it didn’t happen without a bit of good fortune.
In October, Wright-Way Rescue, an animal rescue organization based in Morton Grove, Illinois, had an accident with a van used for its animal-rescue missions. The accident rendered the van a total loss with an insurance payout that would not be sufficient to purchase a replacement vehicle.
With countless animal lives hanging in the balance, Wright-Way put out a call to the community to help raise funds for a replacement vehicle.
Meanwhile, NTN recently had replaced its Technical Training Unit van, and had begun looking for a deserving home for the previous van, a 2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500.
Even after 12 years of onsite bearing-training service, the van has been well-maintained and has a lot of useful life left in it, according to NTN. The NTN team contacted multiple charities looking for a cause that could make good use of the van, but had not found the right fit. And that’s when the stars aligned.
Wright-Way’s call for help was picked up by local Chicago media outlets, and the headline “Suburban Rescue in ‘Dire’ Need of New Van to Save Animals from Being Euthanized” came to the attention of the NTN team.
NTN reached out to Christy Anderson, founder of Wright-Way, to see if the van would help get the organization back on the road, and she was thrilled to accept our donation offer. Because of its former duty, the van is equipped with a loading ramp, shelving and a cargo bulkhead, which all will be very useful for its new mission with Wright-Way.
“We were looking for a good home for our technical training van, and we feel fortunate to have found a deserving organization, in urgent need, based less than 10 miles away from our U.S. headquarters,” said Pete Eich, president and CEO. “Wright-Way Rescue fulfills a critical role in our community, saving the lives of dogs and cats on a daily basis, and we are thrilled that our van will go from bearing training duty to animal rescue duty. When we shared this news internally, our employees opened their hearts and filled the van with much needed supplies for Wright-Way, making an even bigger impact. I couldn’t be more proud of the NTN team.”
On Nov. 16, a group of NTN employees delivered the van to Wright-Way’s Morton Grove location. The NTN team was greeted by the grateful team from Wright-Way Rescue to hand off the vehicle, tour their facility and meet some of the animals Wright-Way works so hard to rescue.
At the end of the day, Wright-Way had gained a much-needed vehicle and supplies, and the NTN team had gained the satisfaction that they were able to help a deserving organization in the community. Wright-Way also was left with one less dog to find a home for, as a member of the NTN HR team fell in love with a puppy and had to take her home.
NTN launched a new Community Spirit and Engagement Policy in January 2023, with the purpose of managing the company in a responsible and ethical manner and making a positive impact on the communities in which the company operates. The goals of the policy include maintaining a community involvement program that contributes time and resources to charitable organizations and encourages employees to have an active role within the local community, and making positive contributions to the community and building partnerships with other groups and organizations, according to NTN.
“NTN’s donation of this vehicle to Wright-Way Rescue aligns perfectly with the goals of NTN’s Community Spirit and Engagement Policy,” said Brad Fideli, director, human resources. “The effort of our team to go the extra-mile in collecting needed supplies from our employees and community are a great example of the impact a program like ours can have. We are proud to contribute to our community and build relationships with wonderful organizations like Wright-Way.”
Wright-Way Rescue, a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) animal rescue organization, has multiple locations in the Chicago suburbs and downstate Illinois. To learn more about Wright-Way Rescue and how you can help support its mission, visit
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