Is My Spark Plug Faulty?

The electrodes on a spark plug must be clean and sharp to produce the powerful spark required for ignition. The more worn or dirty a spark plug, the more attempts pulling the rope may be necessary in order to produce an adequate spark.

If you haven't tuned your engine recently and have to repeatedly pull on the rewind to start the engine, a damaged spark plug may be the culprit. Inconsistent firing, known as spark "miss," can result in sluggish engine operation and poor acceleration. A damaged spark plug may also cause excessive fuel consumption, deposits on the cylinder head and oil dilution.

Luckily, a spark plug is one of the easiest engine components to repair and an inexpensive one to replace. And your standard socket set may already include the most important tool - a spark plug socket.

Many engine performance problems can be linked to maintenance issues such as stale fuel, dirty air filter, fouled spark plug, and degradation of the oil.

A great way to help avoid these problems would be to perform an annual tune-up using a Briggs & Stratton engine.

This FAQ covers the essentials of spark plug inspection and replacement. It shows you how to use a spark tester and how to adjust and clean a spark plug that is worn but still serviceable. Just remember, you can't go wrong by replacing it.

Cleaning And Inspecting A Spark Plug

1. Disconnect the spark plug lead. Then, clean the area around the spark plug to avoid getting debris in the combustion chamber when you remove the plug.

2. Remove the spark plug using a spark plug socket.

3. Inspect the spark plug for very stubborn deposits, or for cracked porcelain or electrodes that have been burned away. If any of these conditions exists, replace the spark plug.

4. Use a spark plug gauge to measure the gap between the two electrodes (one straight, one curved) at the tip of your spark plug. Many small engines require a .030" gap. If necessary, use a spark plug gauge to adjust the gap by gently bending the curved electrode. When the gap is correct, the gauge will drag slightly as you pull it through the gap.

5. Reinstall the plug, taking care not to over-tighten (15 ft. lbs. MAXIMUM ). Then, attach the spark plug lead.

A spark tester offers an inexpensive, easy way to diagnose ignition problems. If you find a problem, remove and inspect the spark plug. Replace the spark plug if you find evidence of wear or burning at the spark plug tip. Spark plugs are inexpensive and a new one may solve the problem.

1. Connect the spark plug lead to the long terminal of your tester and ground the tester to the engine with the tester's alligator clip.

2. Use the rewind or electric starter to crank the engine, and look for a spark in the tester's window.

3. If you see a spark jump the gap in the tester, the ignition is functioning. The absence of a visible spark indicates a problem in the ignition system.

Warning: Please read and abide by any applicable Safety Information contained in your engine operators manual. The material provided above is not intended to replace work performed by a Briggs & Stratton dealer.. Terms and conditions apply to all of the information presented on this website. Always be sure to completely read and understand your engine operators manual.