Carbon Fouled Spark Plugs: Top Causes and Solutions

Carbon fouled spark plugs are an issue that you will likely face if there is incomplete combustion. Other causes are overheating, leaking piston rings, seals, or wrong plug gap issues.

If you want to establish what is causing carbon fouling on your plugs, you are in the right place. In this post, you will learn the top causes and solutions to carbon on your car’s plugs.

What’s the Most Common Cause of Carbon Fouled Spark Plugs?

The most common cause of carbon fouled spark plugs is incomplete combustion. During combustion, the fuel and air mixture should burn completely resulting in water vapor and carbon dioxide. However, if the combustion is incomplete, it results in byproducts that accumulate on the spark plugs.

For instance, a rich mixture which refers to too much fuel in the air-fuel mixture can cause carbon fouling on spark plugs. It happens because of a faulty fuel injector, a malfunctioning oxygen sensor, or the wrong air-to-fuel mixture. When this happens, the combustion chamber may get excess fuel resulting in incomplete combustion.

The unburned fuel molecules accumulate on the spark plugs. With time, this accumulation of unburned fuel molecules forms carbon deposits on the spark’s electrodes and insulator. The effects of carbon fouling include reduced engine power, rough idling, and decreased fuel efficiency among others.

If you are wondering – what causes spark plugs to foul quickly? The answer is incomplete combustion. That said, some of the popular fouled spark plug symptoms include rough idle, engine misfires, ignition issues, decreased fuel efficiency, and increased emissions.

Oil Contamination Increases Chances of Carbon on Spark Plugs

Oil in the combustion chamber is another cause of fouled spark plugs. When it enters the combustion chamber, some components do not but completely. As a result, the remnants of the combustion form carbon deposits on the spark plugs. With time unburned deposits accumulate resulting in a carbon build-up.

The oil enters the chamber through several avenues such as worn piston rings, valve seals, or faulty PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) system. When the components fail, they allow oil to flow into the combustion chamber. Once inside, the oil is exposed to very high temperatures and undergoes combustion alongside the air-fuel mixture.

However, unlike diesel or gasoline fuel, oil does not burn completely. As a result, you will end up with an oil fouled spark plug.

Using Low Quality Fuel Compromises Spark Plug Cleanliness

Another explanation for carbon fouling on your spark plugs is the use of low-quality fuel. Low-quality fuels have impurities like sulfur, additives, and other contaminants. These impurities interfere with the combustion process resulting in fuel fouled spark plug.

For example, if you use low-quality or cheap fuel, it may not combust fully in the combustion chamber. This happens when the fuel molecules do not break down completely. Therefore, the unburned fuel molecules and byproducts of the incomplete combustion build up over time on the spark plug.

Improper Plug Gap Spells Trouble to Your Spark Plugs

Incorrect spark plug gap contributes to carbon fouling of your vehicle’s spark plugs. In normal engine operation, high voltage passes through the spark plug which creates a spark across the gap. However, when the gap is too narrow, it requires less voltage to generate a spark. On the other hand, when the gap is wide, it needs high voltage for the spark to jump across the electrode.

That said, if the spark intensity is wrong because of an improper spark plug gap, it affects the combustion process. As a result, a weak spark can result in incomplete combustion resulting in unburned fuel molecules and other byproducts. These will accumulate on the spark plug which contributes to the carbon buildup and fouling.

Driving Conditions and Habits Contribute to Plug Fouling

If you are not aware, your driving habits can contribute to the fouling of plugs. For instance, if you take short trips that do not allow the engine to attain its optimal operating temperature it can cause incomplete combustion. Failure to reach its ideal temperature means the engine may not burn off carbon deposits on the plugs.

As a result, the deposits accumulate causing carbon fouling. This often happens if you are driving in heavy traffic. When driving in stop-and-go situations, it prevents your vehicle’s engine from reaching its optimal operating temperature for efficient combustion. Also, driving at low speeds or with little throttle can contribute to fouling.

Engines work best under moderate to high load conditions. If your engine operates at a low load for a long time, it may not attain the necessary temperature to effectively burn the carbon deposits. Also, if you place the engine under excess idling because of traffic or personal habits, it may cause incomplete combustion.

As well, frequent hard acceleration as you constantly demand high power from the engine may result in inefficient consumption of fuel. In other words, it results in incomplete combustion which results in carbon-fouled spark plugs.

Ignoring Spark Plug Replacements Leads to Carbon Fouling

If you take long before replacing your plugs, it will contribute to the carbon fouling of plugs. With time, your plugs naturally wear out because of continuous electrical and thermal stress. As the plug ages, the electrode gap widens resulting in a weaker and inefficient combustion. This will result in black spark plugs rough idle.

In addition, as plugs age, the ability to generate strong sparks decreases. This means the combustion process becomes inefficient resulting in incomplete combustion and release of unburned fuel. It is this incomplete combustion that results in fouling spark plugs and symptoms of black spark plugs.

Faulty Injectors Cause Carbon Deposits on Spark Plugs

Faulty fuel injectors contribute to carbon fouling on spark plugs. The fuel injector role is to deliver the exact amount of fuel to the combustion chamber. Injectors atomize the fuel into a fine mist for efficient combustion. However, a faulty fuel injector can disrupt fuel distribution in the combustion chamber.

As a result, some areas of the chamber could be having a lean or rich fuel mixture. In addition, a malfunctioning fuel injector can leak fuel which results in incomplete combustion and carbon deposits on plugs. As well, a blocked fuel injector can restrict the supply of gas to the combustion chamber. This results in a lean fuel mixture which causes incomplete combustion that fouls the plugs.

What’s the Best Solution to Carbon Fouled Spark Plugs?

The best solution to carbon fouled spark plugs involves replacing fouled ones. Replacing fouled plugs involves installing new ones with clan electrodes and insulators. Installing new plugs ensures the electrodes have the correct gap and are primed for operation. This promotes efficient combustion reducing fouling.

With fresh plugs, your vehicle’s engine gets a fresh spark for better ignition of the fuel mixture during combustion. This promotes complete combustion which minimizes unburned fuel molecules.

Using new plugs improves your car’s engine performance. In turn, it addresses carbon fouling on plugs. This is how to fix black spark plugs especially when you want to quickly restore proper performance and fuel efficiency. However, this is temporary because it does not address the cause.

Addressing Incomplete Combustion for Spark Plug Health

Although replacing fouled plugs is among the best quick fixes, addressing the causes of incomplete combustion is a comprehensive solution. To do this, start by checking the air filter and replacing it if necessary. This ensures clean air gets to the combustion chamber promoting efficient combustion and eliminating carbon fouling.

Also, use high-quality fuel. This way, you avoid contaminants that form carbon deposits on the spark plugs. For instance, when you use high-octane fuel that your vehicle manufacturer recommends, then you decrease the amount of carbon deposits.

In addition, you should check and replace fuel injectors as necessary to ensure proper delivery of fuel. Another way you can address incomplete combustion is by maintaining a proper spark plug gap for optimal performance. Also, replacing dirty air filter addresses incomplete combustion.

As well, make sure the intake manifold maintains proper airflow and fuel distribution to prevent. This involves making sure there is no vacuum leak since it can result in uneven distribution of air-fuel mixture. Therefore, addressing and repairing issues in the intake manifold helps promote complete combustion which decreases the buildup of black carbon deposits.

Cleaning the Spark Plug To Restore Its Sparkling Look

You can also restore the sparkling state of plugs by cleaning them. Depending on how severe the fouling is, there are various ways of cleaning the plugs. If you are dealing with mild fouling, you can use a wire brush to scrub the deposits from the electrodes and insulator. Of course, you should be careful not to damage the delicate components.

To clean the plugs, you need to remove the plugs from the engine and inspect it for deposits. Next, use a spark plug cleaner to soak them. This will dissolve the carbon which you can then wipe and rinse the plug. Alternatively, you can use compressed air to blast debris or dirt on the plug. Regardless of the cleaning method, make sure the plugs are dry before installing them.

Replacing a Faulty Head Gasket Saves Spark Plugs From Carbon

Another way you can get rid of fouled plugs is by replacing a faulty head gasket. Replacing a faulty gasket you ensure there is an adequate seal between the cylinder head and the engine block. With a new gasket, you effectively seal the combustion chamber from oil and coolant leaks.

This ensures proper combustion which decreases the formation of carbon deposits. To replace the gasket, you will need the help of an expert since it is a complex and time-consuming undertaking.

Avoid Short Trips to Combat Carbon Buildup on Spark Plugs

You can also solve the fouling on plugs by avoiding short trips. By taking long trips you allow the engine to reach its optimal operating temperature promoting complete combustion. When your car’s engine runs at higher temperatures, it burns off carbon deposits on plugs. This ultimately will prevent carbon build up.

To avoid short trips, consider combining errands into fewer long trips instead of multiple short trips when possible. This way, you allow the engine to warm up and reach its optimal temperature which supports efficient combustion.

Regular Spark Plug Replacement for Carbon Fouling Prevention

Replacing spark plugs at the specified intervals prevents and addresses the issue of carbon fouling on your vehicle’s spark plugs. Doing this ensures you have clean spark plugs with the correct electrode gap. This eliminates the likelihood of having a bad spark plug in the car. With this practice, your car will have optimal spark performance. As a result, it decreases the chances of carbon accumulating on the plugs.

Conclusion

In this post, you learned causes of carbon-fouled spark plugs and their solutions. Here are the main takeaways:

• The top causes are incomplete combustion, oil contamination, low-quality fuel, and driving habits.
• Solutions are cleaning or replacing spark plugs, using high-quality fuel, or addressing engine problems.
• Also, avoid short trips, replace a dirty air filter, and regularly replace spark plugs to solve this problem.
• Hiring a qualified mechanic is another solution.

With this understanding, you can solve carbon fouling on your plugs.