Replacing spark plugs in a Volkswagen Polo sedan engine

According to the technical regulations approved by the German car manufacturer, replacing the spark plugs of a Volkswagen Polo sedan (these cars are officially sold in our country) with 1.4 and 1.6 liter engines is a mandatory service performed at intervals of 60 thousand kilometers. But this is there, in civilized Europe. When operating the engine on low-quality fuel and lubricants, the maintenance frequency must be halved. However, to begin with, you can limit yourself to inspecting the spark plugs, assessing their condition every 15 thousand km. Serviceable parts that have not reached the end of their service life should not contain:

• Nagara. Properly functioning spark plugs self-clean during operation.
• Traces of contact burnout. The gap between the electrodes should be 0.9 - 1.1 mm.
• Cracks and other damage to ceramic parts of insulators.

If at least one of these requirements is not met, the Volkswagen Polo spark plugs require replacement.

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Remove the spark plug from the spark plug well.

Install the new spark plug in the reverse order.

When screwing in a spark plug, it is necessary to rotate the spark plug wrench or extension with the head by hand, and not with a wrench or ratchet, to avoid damaging the threads of the spark plug hole in the cylinder head.

If the spark plug does not follow the thread, strong resistance to rotation will be felt. In this case, it is necessary to unscrew the spark plug and, after cleaning the thread, screw it back in again. Finally tighten the spark plug to a torque of 25 Nm.

Attention! Over-tightening the spark plugs can damage the threads in the spark plug holes in the cylinder head.

Replacing spark plugs for Polo Sedan. Instructions on how to change spark plugs

The next thing to do on my Gray League is to replace the spark plugs. I will try to cover this process in detail.

What you need for replacement 1. Of course, first of all you will need spark plugs, the rest will only be needed if you decide to replace the spark plugs yourself. Not at all difficult 2. Spark plug key for 16. Bought on the market for 150 rubles. Maybe you can find it cheaper.

When buying a candle, it is better to take it with you; the key must hold it tightly, otherwise you will not be able to get the candle out of the well. Hook for removing the caps from the Polo sedan tool kit and a nail.

If your spark plug wrench doesn't have a key, you may still need a thick rod or a screwdriver.

Well, the arms are relatively straight. Well, not much, but still.

I didn't need the screwdriver included in the kit; I was afraid to bend it and took another, thicker one.

First, remove the cover marked VW by unhooking the two front fasteners.

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Before installing the ignition coil, the manufacturer recommends applying a thin bead of lubricating paste (silicone grease can be used) to the inside of the ignition coil plug tip.

We install the ignition coil on the spark plug and press it until it locks onto the spark plug; a click should be heard.

We replace the remaining spark plugs in the same way.

[How to reduce maintenance costs for Volkswagen Polo sedan] [Maintenance of Volkswagen Polo sedan for 15 thousand km] [Maintenance of Volkswagen Polo sedan for 30 thousand km] [Tools required for maintenance of Volkswagen Polo sedan] [ Carrying out maintenance yourself - general recommendations] [Safety rules for carrying out car maintenance yourself]

Replacing spark plugs in a Volkswagen Polo sedan engine

What does the factory recommend?

Original spark plug 04C905616A.

Original candle 101905617С. The motors are equipped with spark plugs on the belt with two article codes: 101905617C or 04C905616A. These are original spare parts that are sometimes difficult to find on store shelves. Both options are suitable for replacement, they differ only in the amount of potassium and the length of the thread.

Analogs

A direct analogue is NGK5960 candles (they cost about 2 times less).

The closest models are Japanese spark plugs NGK5960 (or ZFR6T-11G), German Bosch spare parts with article number 0241135515. These are average parameters; when choosing, it is important to pay attention to the specific engine modification:

1. The CWVA and CWVB series are equipped with nickel ground electrode plugs. The manufacturer uses part numbers 04C905616A or 04C905616D. German analogues with the same characteristics are designated Y7LER02. To avoid breaking the spark plug, tighten it to 23 Nm.

   
   Spark plugs Y7LER02 from the German company Bosch (made in China).

2. CFNA and CFNB engines are equipped with connectors 01905617C or VAG 101905601F. Externally, they do not differ from the previous ones, but spin with a torque of 28 Nm.

   
   The original VAG spark plugs 101905601F (on the right in the photo) have a thicker central electrode, unlike the fakes (on the left in the photo).

The differences between the presented categories of candles are presented in the table.

What's better?

As practice shows, original spark plugs are always expensive, and the price of spare parts is often artificially high.

When purchasing analog spare parts, you can save 1.5-2 times and not lose quality.

In addition, some brands produce spark plugs with iridium electrodes, which will require replacement only after 90 thousand kilometers. These characteristics must be observed on the packaging.

CWVA and CWVB

For CWVA and CWVB engines, spark plugs from manufacturers supplying original spare parts are suitable:

1. Bosch: Spark plug 04C905616A will replace the spare part with article number 0241135515, and 04C905616 - with part number 0241140519. According to reviews of these analogues, the engines operate stably without visible interruptions.

   
   The Bosch spark plug 0241135515 is essentially original and costs almost the same.

2. NGK - offers spark plugs 96596 or ZKER6A-10EG. Many do not trust this analogue because of its specific appearance, but in practice no shortcomings have been found.

   
   Spark plug NGK 96596 / ZKER6A-10EG in original yellow packaging.

When using analogues, no shortcomings were found, the engine operates stably without loss of power. Conversely, some models perform slightly better than the original parts.

CFNA and CFNB

Analogues for CFNA and CFNB engines:

1. Code DENSO KJ20DR-M11. This is the most popular option used by car enthusiasts. The resistance of the spark plugs is slightly higher than that of the original and is 4.5 kOhm.

   
   DENSO KJ20DR-M11 spark plug with iridium coated center electrode.

2. NGK - number 97237. They are distinguished by a V-shaped electrode, which gives a better spark. Spark plug NGK 97237 with a nickel electrode.
3. BERU - article Z272. Inexpensive but high quality candles. Its characteristics are no different from the original, and the BERU Z272 spark plug from the French manufacturer receives a lot of positive feedback.

Which spark plugs to install on a car is up to each driver to decide for himself. The listed parts are not criticized by car enthusiasts, but skeptics prefer to trust the original quality standards.

A little about planned maintenance

Every car enthusiast knows that the strict replacement interval for spark plugs is 30 thousand kilometers. Usually timed to coincide with an oil change, which resets the maintenance interval.

If you neglect this rule, the engine will soon start to triple due to the disappearance or complete absence of a spark in one or more cylinders.

If the engine is unstable, you need to inspect the spark plugs - the presence of soot indicates a rich mixture, and a melted electrode indicates improper ignition operation. If the tip is oily, you don't have to blame the spark plug manufacturer, but check the condition of the piston rings or valve stem seals.

Second phase

When installing new components, be careful and act carefully, without applying much force. Otherwise you risk damaging the threads. Recommended:

• Light the candles by turning them all the way by hand.
• Perform final tightening with a force of 25 Nm.
• Insert and secure the tips.
• Connect the wire connectors.
• Replace and secure the cover.

After this, you should start the car and make sure that the engine is running normally.

When to change spark plugs: signs, regulations

According to the maintenance regulations, they need to be changed every 30,000 kilometers. Check the condition every 15,000 kilometers.

You can assess the condition and indirectly determine the malfunction of the motor by its appearance:

• black coating: an enriched fuel-air mixture does not burn well due to faulty elements of the power supply or ignition systems;
• the central and side electrodes are covered with oil: the valve stem seals are worn out;
• red or tan coating: excess anti-knock additives in gasoline;
• melted electrode: early ignition, faulty lubrication or cooling systems, too high heat rating;
• ash deposits: oil or low-quality gasoline burns in the cylinder;
• physical destruction of the electrodes: small objects entering the cylinder or the thread length is too long.

Articles of candles

The manufacturer advises using original products with the following indicators:

• With a spark gap of 1.0-1.1 mm.
• With thread size M 14×1.25.
• With a heat rating of 6-7.
• With thread length 19 mm.
• And the tightening torque is 25 Nm.

The use of analogue products is allowed, these include the following products from global manufacturers:

These are time-tested companies that have been supplying goods to the Russian automotive market for a long time. They have a minimum of complaints and a reasonable pricing policy.

When and why do you need to replace spark plugs on a Polo sedan?

A well-functioning engine, combined with an efficient ignition system, operates stably and smoothly both under load and at idle. But when the ignition system begins to fail, characteristic signs appear indicating a faulty spark plug:

• change in color of exhaust gases.
• noise and vibration during operation;
• difficulty starting the engine;
• fuel consumption increases;
• both during operation and at idle, the engine becomes unstable;
• overall engine power is reduced;

If these symptoms are typical for your Volkswagen Polo Sedan, you should visit a workshop to have the spark plugs diagnosed and, if they are not working or faulty, have the cause repaired.

If it is necessary to diagnose spark plugs, our car service specialists will help identify other defects, which will be indicated by the color of the insulator of the working tip of the spark plug, its condition or the type of deposits:

• Dusty yellow or white deposits cause high-quality fuel that does not meet the requirements of a particular vehicle.
• the insulation is cloudy white or grayish due to the use of candles with a large thermal range;
• black deposits indicate the use of a too rich air-fuel mixture, low compression ratio and large gap between the electrodes;
• oil deposits - with a high oil content in the combustion chamber or worn piston rings;
• soot deposits indicate improper carburetor adjustment or a dirty air filter;
• lead deposits indicate overheating of the spark plugs under load;

The need to replace spark plugs also arises in the event of mechanical malfunctions of their individual elements, as well as the presence of various defects:

• mechanical damage to the thread or pin.
• cracked insulation;
• damage or melting of electrodes;