E3 Spark Plugs News

Yo-Concept by the little know Russian auto maker Yo-Auto. Photo by Jonathon Ramsey / AOL.

Recession? What recession? Clearly, nobody told the auto makers showing at this year’s International Motor  Show (aka the Frankfurt Motor Show) that much of the world low on coin these days. While we won’t be driving any of these vehicles home, E3 Spark Plugs truly enjoyed taking a look at the amazing cars and concepts on the showroom floors today. A trove of driver- and passenger-friendly technology, a ton of glam and a little bit of wacky caught our eye.

Y-Concept
True to its curious name, little-known Russian firm Yo-Auto (ë-Avto) unveiled an equally curious Yo-Concept. Not destined for production, the Yo-concept is a vamped up example of the styling the company is using to develop future vehicles. It features an extended-range setup similar to the gas-electric plug-in system that powers the Chevy Volt. But we were most interested in its novel curved doors that slide up and disappear into the rear of the vehicle.

Opel RAK e Concept
We love this funky little urban transport vehicle almost as much as we love its history. Opel, GeneralMotors’ oldest industrial division, started as a sewing machine manufacturer in 1862. The company dabbled in bicycle production before turning to automobiles in 1899. The new RAK e Concept comes a full 83 years after its predecessor, the experimental RAK 2, a streamlined, solid-fuel rocket propulsion system that grabbed headlines worldwide in 1928. The lightweight (838 pounds) RAK e is a narrow four-wheeler build around a steel space frame powered by a 49-horsepower electric motor with a five-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and capable of a 62-mile trip fully charged. Operating costs: about $2.19 per 100 miles.

Citroën Tubik
Among the most out-of-this-world sights we saw was the Citroën Tubik, a nine-passenger, modular seating, hybrid mini-bus with a “Jetsons-go-glam” kind of feel. Seats can be arranged in various ways inside the lounge style, tubular cabin. The French automaker is known for its unique interior aesthetics and it shows in surprising picks like leather flooring, felt seating and silk-covered backrests and doors.

Bentley Mulsanne Executive Interior Concept
For the on-the-go executive, the Bentley Mulsanne’s executive interior concept is a tech-tricked office on wheels. Power-folding wood veneer tables drop down from the backs of the front seats and feature separate iPad work stations and Bluetooth wireless keyboards connected via a Mac Mini mounted in the trunk. Alongside the telephone nestled into the armrest, you’ll find a Tibaldi pen. This ain’t your 99-cent ball point – we’re talking over-the-top fountain pens from a line that can run from a few hundred dollars to upwards of $50,000. When you’re done editing that financial report, kick back and relax with a movie on your ceiling-mounted 15.6-inch high definition LCD TV.

Maserati GranTurismo
Really? Need we say much? Just look at the pictures of this fashion statement of a performance machine. And by “fashion statement,” we mean that literally. Maserati collaborated with fashion powerhouse Fendi . With bodywork that “seems to be drawn tight over the frame like a figure hugging dress,” Maserati’s website says, the GranTurismo is definitely one of the lookers of this year’s event.

What caught your eye at Frankfurt? E3 Spark Plugs want to know. Leave us a comment on our blog or post on our Facebook Fan Page.

If your vehicle has a little less spunk lately, it might be time to change your spark plugs. A quick inspection can not only tell you if it’s time for new spark plugs, but can speak volumes about your automobile’s engine condition as well. Light brown or tan colored deposits on the tip of your spark plugs are normal. But deposits of different colors and consistencies can be indications of bigger problems. Here are a few things to look for:

Your spark plugs hold numerous clues about your engine's conditition.

A yellow glaze on the spark plug’s electrode and the tip can inhibit conductivity, keeping the spark from being able to jump the gap. Clean it by spraying your spark plug with brake cleaner, letting it soak for about 10 minutes, then wiping it with a clean cloth.

If your spark plug is white in color or appears blistered, that means something is making the plug run too hot. Check for problems in your engine’s cooling, a lean fuel mixture or incorrect ignition timing. A melted electrode on your spark plugs means that they’ve been running too hot for too long and could burn a hole through the top of a piston.

A black, feathery carbon deposit on your spark plugs can be an indication of a weak spark or an overly rich fuel mixture. Causes may include a stuck choke, misadjusted or heavy carburetor float, a leaky injector or carburetor needle valve, low coil output or high resistance in your spark plug wires. A dead oxygen sensor or coolant sensor also can be a cause of carbon fouling.

A heavier, oily black deposit means that oil is being sucked down into the combustion chamber, likely via worn valve guides, guide seals or piston rings or a cracked piston. Check for oil consumption problems including leaky valve cover gaskets, crankshaft end seals and oil pan gaskets. Tightening your automobile’s valve cover or pan bolts may prove a temporary fix, but you’ll likely need to replace the gasket.

A wet spark plug likely means that it hasn’t been firing due to engine flooding or a bad ignition cable. Dirt or moisture on the outside of the spark plug that provides a conductive path to ground, or an internal crack in the spark plug’s ceramic insulator that shorts the plug to ground also can be the culprit.

If your spark plugs’ electrodes are smashed flat or broken, they likely are the wrong spark plugs for your engine. If a spark plug is too long, it can protrude into the combustion chamber and hit the piston or a valve. This could not only shatter your spark plug into the piston, but shatter the piston itself or damage the head. A spark plug that is too short will cause your engine to buck. The spark won’t ignite your fuel correctly and can cause poor gas mileage, plus prompt your check engine lights. E3 Spark Plugs provides online catalogs to make sure you’ve got the right spark plug for automotive, power sports and lawn & garden equipment engines.

A split or chipped spark plug insulator is a sign of pre-detonation, also called “spark knock.” Check for engine overheating or ignition timing problems, a faulty EGR valve or excessive compression caused by a clogged combustion chamber.

Reading your spark plugs can provide multiple clues about your engine’s condition and save you tons of money.