To start the engine, spark plugs are an important part that ensures the long-term functioning of the power unit. There is a wide range of spark plugs for VAZ (Lada) cars on sale; choosing the right one for a specific car is not easy. For different types of motor, there is a specific list of parameters recommended by the car manufacturer. To choose one of the best, a car enthusiast is advised to read their descriptions, which are presented in this article.
How to choose the right spark plugs for a VAZ
When choosing the best spark plugs for a VAZ engine, you should be guided by the parameters of the car and engine:
- Heat number. If a spark plug is approved for use on a specific car, then it will be suitable in terms of its thermal characteristics. Small deviations play a seasonal role and depend on the owner’s driving style.
- Geometric dimensions - diameter and thread pitch, length of the threaded part of the body. Protrusion or recession of the electrode area into the material of the block head is not allowed.
- The nominal gap between the electrodes can be adjusted. The spark plug will operate uninterruptedly at the factory-set value.
- The wrench size is of secondary importance and affects the applicability of the existing tool. It is always safer to choose the size that matches the factory size.
- The sticking out of the electrodes has an indirect effect; the heat rating depends on it.
You should not get carried away with high-reliability spark plugs that have two to four side electrodes instead of the standard one. This will do little, but massive protruding parts can shield the working gap from the mixture flows in the cylinder, which will worsen the conditions for uninterrupted ignition.
All kinds of “patented” products mentioning plasma ignition, annular gap or with miniature prechambers are mostly advertising gimmicks; they will not work normally in all modes. It is better for the engine not to mess with such devices.
With contact ignition
Contact battery ignition was used on outdated engines with a carburetor and 8 valves, for example, VAZ models 2106, 2107 and the like. Such products have a reduced spark gap, since the power of the simplest ignition system is small, the secondary voltage cannot reach this value. The situation is saved by the low compression ratio of older engines. The higher the pressure at the end of the compression stroke, the more difficult it is to break through the spark gap.
Small size and power do not seem to be an obstacle to the operation of the motor. The engines are not particularly economical or environmentally friendly; the carburetors prepare a fairly rich mixture, which is not difficult to ignite even with a weak spark.
With contactless ignition system
For the first time, the contactless system was used on models 2108, 2109, early 2110, then engines of the classic family with Solex carburetors capable of preparing a lean mixture were equipped with such devices. The distributor with a Hall sensor worked on an electronic switch, which developed significant power in the secondary circuit; the voltage was enough to break through the increased spark gap at high pressure. It was possible to install more modernized candles or increase the gap in the classic ones.
For injection engines
With the advent of electronic fuel injection systems, ignition power has increased even further. The distributor has failed. Ignition modules with several coils or blocks for each spark plug without high-voltage wires have appeared. Requirements for parts have changed, including radio interference suppression. Such devices are not interchangeable. The injector can prepare lean and ultra-lean mixtures, while the engine maintains uniform thrust, which a carburetor cannot do.
Injection engines were installed on VAZ models 2114, 2115, 21074, which have 8 valves, and 2112 - 16 valves. These are modern units for their era, so choosing candles for them will not be difficult - many imported analogues are suitable.
Rating of the TOP 5 best spark plugs for VAZ cars
Copper-nickel spark plugs for VAZ cars of the “Standard” category are used on carburetor engines with a contact ignition system; their reliable service life does not exceed 10,000 kilometers.
Attention! These are products with a good reputation, so they are massively counterfeited. The rules for identifying the original can be found on the manufacturers’ websites.
| TOP | Candlestick pattern | Installed gap, mm | Thread diameter, mm | Length of threaded part, mm | Key size, mm | Order code | Price per piece, rubles, wholesale/retail |
| 5 | BRISK Classic L15Y | 0,7 | 14 | 19 | 21 | L15Y | 48/80 |
| 4 | HOLA S12 | 0,7 | 14 | 19 | 20,8 | S12 | 49/110 |
| 3 | NGK 7529 BP6E | 0,9 | 14 | 19 | 20,8 | 7529 | 98/150 |
| 2 | BOSCH W7DC | 0,7-0,8 | 14 | 19 | 20,8 | 0241235740 | 90/150 |
| 1 | DENSO 3043 W20EP-U | 0,8 | 14 | 19 | 20,6 | 3043 | 74/130 |
In what cases is it necessary to replace spark plugs?
Replacement of SZ with VAZ 2115 and VAZ 214 is carried out every 30,000 thousand kilometers. If you do not change the SZ in time and continue to operate the car, then the wear of the electrodes sharply increases, this entails a drop in the car’s power and excessive fuel consumption. The condition of the spark plug and the ignition system as a whole can be determined based on the appearance of the electrode, the amount and color of carbon deposits on it. Brown soot is considered normal.
With long-term operation, the operating characteristics of the motor change. If you carefully monitor the operation of the internal combustion engine, then based on fuel consumption you can draw conclusions about the condition of the engine. Knowledgeable people recommend changing spark plugs on VAZs after 20 thousand kilometers, and in winter even after 15 thousand.
You can judge the need to replace SZ by their appearance, more precisely by the amount and color of carbon deposits, as well as the gap between the electrodes.
In addition, the dryness of the threads should be checked. If there are traces of oil on it, this indicates problems with the tightness of the system.
To summarize, we can cite cases when it is necessary to change the SZ:
- the car does not start well;
- fuel consumption has increased;
- the engine starts to stall;
- engine power decreases;
- exceeding the recommended mileage for replacement.
BRISK Classic L15Y
A characteristic feature of the Classic L15Y model is the ability to operate at reduced secondary voltage energy, which is suitable for older VAZ cars. A slightly lower heat rating and a small gap allow you to confidently start the engine at sub-zero temperatures; the spark plug warms up quickly and is not prone to sparking and carbon deposits.
However, because of this, the products may fail under loads and high temperatures, but for low-powered classic VAZ engines this will not be a discouraging factor. The service life is average in the class of budget candles based on copper and nickel.
The cost in the store is about 80 rubles per piece.
Source
Domestic or imported spark plugs
Among the most popular candle manufacturers, there are several leaders who are in high demand and have proven themselves to be the best.
Spark plugs DVRM Engels
These spark plugs are installed by the manufacturer off the assembly line and are an excellent option for the money. However, according to reviews from car enthusiasts, there is a defect. Therefore, when choosing these spark plugs, you should immediately check them before installation.
- A-17DVRM (1.0) engineer. 8-cl - spark plugs for injection 8-valve engines.
- AU-17DVRM (1.0) engineer. 16-cl - spark plugs for injection 16-valve engines
Brisk candles Czech Republic
Brisk candles, which are of good quality and have proven themselves on the positive side, are in high demand. Brisk has 10 series of spark plugs, differing in design and intended for different types of engines, not only in cars, but also in motorcycles.
The gap for both types of spark plugs is 1.1
DENSO spark plugs
The Japanese quality of candles needs no introduction. These spark plugs are installed by manufacturers on some imported cars. Judging by the reviews, these are quite good candles from a higher price category than the previous ones. However, you should be wary of fakes, which are now available in abundance.
- DENSO W20TT spark plugs - for 8 valve engines
- Spark plugs DENSO W20EPR-U11 - for 8 valve injection engines
NGK spark plugs
One of the leading companies in the production of spark plugs, glow plugs and other automotive components. The candles are of excellent quality and are installed on production lines of such manufacturers as Nissan, Mazda and others. Judging by the reviews of car enthusiasts, the NGK spark plugs installed on their cars lasted an average of 25-30 thousand km.
Spark plugs NGK No. 13 BPR6ES-11 for 8 valve injection engines. Cost 450-500 rubles per set
Before installing new spark plugs, you should check their functionality. This can be done using a special device, or on a stand.
How to check spark on a spark plug
If you experience unstable engine operation, it begins to “triple”, it is quite possible that the time has come to replace the spark plugs, or the PVN, or the ignition module needs to be replaced. So, first, let's check the spark plugs, most often they are the cause.
- We remove the PVN tips from the spark plugs
- Unscrew all 4 spark plugs (you will need a 21 key)
- We put the tip on the spark plug and lean it against the metal (possibly against the body of the engine block)
Attention! The spark plug is under high voltage at this moment, so it is better to hold it with pliers or something similar
We start turning the starter and look at the spark plug, if there is a spark, then the spark plug is working. We do the same actions with other candles.
Any internal combustion engine will not start operating without 2 main factors - the air-fuel mixture and its ignition. If the saturation of the fuel with oxygen is facilitated by the air supply system (air filter, throttle), then the VAZ 2114 spark plugs are responsible for ignition.
Cause of the phenomenon
The main reason why the VAZ 2114 burns spark plugs in cold weather lies in the following. During cold (and, especially, frosty) weather, the oxygen content in the atmospheric air increases sharply.
When the car starts, the sensors transmit a corresponding signal to the ECU, thereby causing an increased supply of gasoline (this is due to the fact that more oxygen requires more fuel, otherwise the mixture will be lean and the engine will not work correctly).
Candle VAZ 2114
If the car is new, and all components and assemblies of its fuel system and engine are fully operational, then the increased volume of gasoline will not cause any difficulties at the time of start, and the car will start immediately. But, if the car is more than 3 years old (subject to frequent use), then the problem with flooded spark plugs becomes more than real for it.
The most common reasons for flooding the spark plugs on the VAZ 2114 injector are:
- low compression due to piston wear;
- low quality of fuel used;
- bad (poor quality) candles;
- low battery level.
The device of spark plugs VAZ 2114
Products come in several types: classic (two-electrode) and multi-electrode. In addition, they are classified according to such criteria as: material of manufacture, size, heat rating (cold or hot). In addition, for a particular device there are standards regarding the size of the gap between the electrodes. In relation to the VAZ 2114, a classic design is used. Main components:
- side and central electrodes (responsible for generating a spark);
- frame;
- resistor;
- insulator;
- contact (to which the high-voltage wire is connected).
Keep in mind that spark plugs for the VAZ 2114 (injector) may not be suitable for cars of other brands and vice versa.
Useful tips
First of all, it should be noted that many problems with the engine and ignition system are directly related to the spark plugs. Moreover, spark plugs can cause premature failure of the catalyst.
It is important to understand that disturbances in the combustion process of the mixture or engine detonation often cause a serious reduction in the life of the internal combustion engine and failure of the power plant.
For these reasons, it is necessary to change the spark plugs on the 8-valve Lada Granta or any other car according to the regulations or even ahead of schedule. The fact is that even those designed for 80-100 thousand km. mileage, iridium or platinum spark plugs can become unusable already at 50-60 thousand kilometers, and ordinary spark plugs at 10-15 thousand.
We also recommend reading the article on how to properly change spark plugs on a cold or hot engine. From this article you will learn about the features of replacing spark plugs, as well as what nuances you should pay attention to.
In practice, on simple internal combustion engines, which also includes the 8-valve Grant engine, it is better to use simple spark plugs with a nickel electrode and change them more often (for example, with each oil change or every other change). This approach turns out to be more rational than installing expensive spark plugs with extended replacement intervals.
We also note that there are a large number of fakes on the market, and in the top segment. In other words, products from popular brands (for example, NGK or Denso) are often simply counterfeited.
The result is that instead of expensive iridium or platinum spark plugs, the owner purchases a product of dubious quality, which is no different from conventional spark plugs and has a short service life.
Signs of faulty spark plugs
Malfunctions directly affect the operation of the internal combustion engine (misfire, engine tripping, failure of one or more cylinders and other problems). The most common signs that indicate a malfunction are: - disturbances in the operation of the ignition system (the car is difficult to start); — increased fuel consumption; — deterioration of the dynamic qualities of the internal combustion engine.
An important parameter that affects the operation of the product (the production of a proper spark) is the gap of the VAZ 2114 spark plugs between the side and central electrodes.
When is it time to replace the spark plug?
The operating interval of one set of spark plugs is usually designed for fourteen to twenty thousand kilometers. Although, the deadlines that manufacturers set are much longer - thirty thousand kilometers. Perhaps such a significant difference in numbers was due to the large number of counterfeit products on the modern auto parts market. And, nevertheless, if you trust the opinion of experienced car owners, then it is better to carry out the replacement procedure early rather than late.
What troubles can they bring in used condition:
- Gasoline consumption will increase significantly.
- The cost of operating a car will increase.
- Starting a cold engine will become difficult and take a long time.
- There will be misfires.
- Engine operation will no longer be stable.
Helpful advice: often thrifty drivers put off buying and replacing spark plugs. This is mainly done for reasons of economy. But, as you already know, when they are heavily worn, gasoline consumption increases significantly and visits to the gas station become more frequent. Don't get carried away by the illusion of savings; replace regularly.
If your car has managed to accumulate an impressive mileage on one set of spark plugs, and the car’s traction has begun to weaken, then your VAZ 2114 needs to replace the spark plugs.
Troubleshooting
Fortunately, a performance check is available to every car enthusiast and does not depend on technical equipment or the availability of expensive diagnostic equipment. There are several simple, common ways to conduct an independent test: 1. Analysis of the presence and quality of the spark. 2. Testing using a multimeter.
In order to use the first method, it is necessary to dismantle and clean the working surface of the spark plug. Next, a high-voltage wire is connected to the spark plug, the housing is brought to the power unit and the starter is started briefly (for a few seconds). Normal operating parameters are the production of a clear, blue spark. Evidence of a malfunction is a yellowish, reddish color of the spark or its complete absence. The second way is as follows. We take a multimeter and switch the measuring mode of the device to 20 kOhm. We attach the red probe to the side electrode, and connect the black one directly to the contact (where the high-voltage wire is put on). We measure the resistance readings on all four products. Normal resistance levels range from 2 to 4 kOhms. If the indications are different, normal operation of the internal combustion engine is not guaranteed.
