NGK BKR6EKU SPARK PLUG

Function and technical context

The spark plug is the component responsible for generating the electrical spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture inside the cylinder, initiating the combustion cycle that propels the outboard motor. It works integrated into the ignition system of the petrol engine, subjected to continuous cycles of high electrical tension, compression pressure and extreme temperatures derived from combustion. The NGK BKR6EKU spark plug incorporates an iridium electrode, a technology that provides greater resistance to erosive wear and guarantees a more precise and stable spark compared to conventional copper electrodes. A progressive deterioration of the spark plug generates incomplete combustion, which results in difficult starts, especially when cold, loss of engine power, increased fuel consumption and, in advanced states, intermittent misfires that can leave the boat without propulsion capacity.

When to replace this part?

The most common symptoms of a worn spark plug include difficulty starting the engine when starting cold, jerks and irregularities in idling, abnormal vibrations of the engine, notable increase in petrol consumption and the emission of black or white smoke from the exhaust. On recreational outboard engines, it is recommended to check the spark plugs at each seasonal maintenance check and replace them preventively every 100 hours of operation or once a year if that interval is reached sooner. Performing the change in a preventive manner is one of the lowest cost interventions that exist and reliably avoids ignition failures in adverse navigation conditions, where requesting assistance afloat is expensive and logistically complicated.

Equivalent manufacturer part numbers