Characteristics of Leaking Spark Plug Wires and How to Overcome Them
Leaking spark plug wires are a problem that is often unnoticed by car owners. Sometimes it is taken lightly, even though such leaks can lead to decreased engine performance, increased fuel consumption, and even damage to car engine components. So, are there any specific signs to know if the spark plug wires are leaking? To find the answer to that question, let's take a look at the following review.
Signs of Leaking Spark Plug Wires
There are several signs you can recognize when the spark plug wires are leaking. Here are the complete signs.
1. Engine misfire
A leak in the spark plug wires can be identified when the engine experiences a misfire. This condition is where the engine vibrates heavily, producing an irregular sound. As a result, the engine sounds rough when it is started. This condition occurs because the spark plug wires are unable to conduct electricity optimally, making the engine less responsive.
2. Engine hard to start or easily stalls
In addition to the rough sound, leaking spark plug wires can cause the car to be hard to start. It can even stall easily when the engine is turned on.
3. Increased fuel consumption
When the car's fuel consumption suddenly increases, but there are no issues with the fuel system, you need to be wary of the condition of your spark plug wires; they might be leaking. A spark plug leak causes the engine to be less responsive, requiring more fuel when the engine is running.
4. Engine emits an unpleasant gas smell
The last sign you can recognize when the spark plug wires are leaking is the smell of unpleasant gas from the engine. This condition occurs because the combustion of fuel in the engine's combustion chamber is incomplete.
How to Fix Leaking Spark Plug Wires
Leaking spark plug wires are usually caused by poor material quality, incorrect wire diameter according to specifications, or age factors. When this problem occurs, you don't need to panic. Here are the steps you need to take to address leaking spark plug wires.
1. Perform a check
When the spark plug wires are leaking, the first step you need to take is to check the condition of the spark plug wires for any damage. Damage to the spark plug wires can usually be identified by a resistance value that is too high. To determine the resistance value, a multitester (a tool for measuring spark plug wire resistance or ohm meter) is needed. The measurement method is as follows.
- Remove the number one spark plug wire first.
- Then place the probe (positive terminal) and negative at each end of the wire.
- Then record the readings for each spark plug wire. A spark plug wire that is half a meter long usually has a standard resistance value of 8 ohms. Perform testing on the next spark plug wire if the resistance value is below the standard.
In addition to performing checks, you also need to ensure that the installed spark plug wires are properly fitted and not loose. Loose spark plug wires can cause the generated electrical current to be unstable, thereby reducing engine performance.
2. Replace spark plug wires regularly
Regular and periodic replacement of spark plug wires is the key to avoiding spark plug wire leakage problems. It is advisable to replace the wires when the car has traveled 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers or every two years. However, if you haven't had the chance to replace them, you can use heat-resistant tape to temporarily fix the leaking spark plug wires.
3. Regularly tune up the car
Lastly, you can have your car serviced with a tune-up regularly at the nearest Daihatsu official workshop to ensure all engine components are working optimally.
