Kia Picanto JA Quiz
Engine Electrical System

Spark Plug

In this manual: Engine Electrical System
General Information — 8Maintenance — 30Engine Mechanical System — 46Engine Electrical System — 14Emission Control System — 11Engine Control System/Fuel System — 46Clutch System — 12Manual Transmission — 10Drive Shaft and Axle — 8Suspension System — 15Steering — 9Restraints — 17Brake System — 22Body (Interior and Exterior) — 104Body Electrical System — 80Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning — 17
13steps
~78min
3/5difficulty
0102030405024.518N·mlb·ft
Tightening torque found on this page
Done 0 of 13

Specifications

Specification

Item Specification
Type ELR11ISPC8+
Gap 0.7 - 0.8 mm
(0.028–0.31 in.)

Description and Operation

Description

A spark plug is a device used to deliver electric current from the ignition system into the combustion chamber of a spark-ignition engine to ignite the compressed air-fuel mixture by means of an electric spark while containing the combustion pressure in the engine. The spark plug has a metal threaded shell that is electrically insulated from the center electrode by a porcelain insulator.

Repair Procedures

Inspection

[When Inspecting the Vehicle]

  1. Run the engine at approximately 3000 rpm for more than 3 minutes.
  2. Remove the spark plug.
  3. Visually inspect the spark plug. If the electrode is dry, the spark plug is good. If the electrode is wet, check for damage and electrode gap as shown below.

[Component Inspection]

  1. Check the spark plug for thread and insulator damage. If damaged, replace the spark plug.
  2. Check the electrode. Measure the insulation resistance with an ohmmeter. If the resistance is less than the specified value, adjust the electrode gap.

    Specification: 10 MΩ or more

  3. Check the spark plug electrode gap. If the gap is greater than the maximum, replace the spark plug.

    Specification: 0.7–0.8 mm (0.028–0.031 in.)

Cleaning

Combustion may temporarily become unstable due to fuel aging and carbon deposits that have built up on the spark plug(s) after long-term storage.

[Method 1]

  1. Start the engine and let it idle for 2 minutes.
  2. Step on the accelerator pedal and hold the engine speed at 4500 rpm with the shift lever in N to warm up the engine until the engine coolant temperature reaches 80 °C.
  3. Run the engine at 2500–3000 rpm in N position for 15 minutes.

[Method 2]

  1. Start the engine and let it idle for 2 minutes.
  2. Drive the vehicle for more than 20 minutes while keeping engine speed above 3500 rpm.

Removal

  1. Remove the ignition coil. (Refer to Ignition System – Ignition Coil)
  2. Using a spark plug socket, remove the spark plug (A).

    Tightening torque: 14.7 ~ 24 N·m

Installation

  1. Install in the reverse order of removal.

Test yourself

A quick Kia Picanto JA quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.