You are about to kick start your bike or switch on ignition of your car. It makes a little sound and then stops. Search for the reason and you will find that the spark plug has stopped working and needs to be replaced. Here is what you should do in a situation like this.
Locate the spark plug. You can trace it by looking at the large black or colored wire that leads to the cylinder head.
Clean the plug before you remove it. There may be dirt on it which may fall into the cylinder when you pull it out. You must ensure that no dirt goes into the hole where the plug is located.
Fix the spark plug socket and ratchet handle over the plug and turn it anti-clockwise to loosen it. It may be a little difficult in the beginning, but should come out easily thereafter.
Look carefully at the electrode end of the plug. Some carbon may have accumulated over it. There may also be some dirt in the gap. This could mean that the plug needs replacement.
Make sure that the replacement plug is the same size as your existing plug. Look carefully at the threaded part. It should have the same length and the threads too should match with those of the old plug. If you are a layman and are unsure, you should take the old plug with you to the store and ask the person at the counter to check and match both the plugs.
Now that you have brought the plug, insert it into the cylinder head by hand at first. Make sure that the plug’s thread fits and lines up smoothly into the hole. If you cannot get the plug down by using your hands, it means that there is a problem with the alignment. You should try to insert it again till the threads are lined up.
Once the plug is set, it is time to tighten it up using the socket and ratchet.
Put the plug wires back as they were and you are done with the replacement