Electrode Gap Bridging

Fig 1: Electrode Gap Bridging

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

Electrode gap bridging may be traced to loose deposits in the combustion chamber. These deposits (2) accumulate on the spark plugs during continuous stop-and-go driving. When the engine is suddenly subjected to a high torque load, deposits partially liquefy and bridge the gap between electrodes (3). This short circuits the electrodes. Spark plugs with electrode gap bridging (1) should be replaced.