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NGK Fills Lp Gas Spark Plug Gap with LPG LaserLine

Until now, the lpg autogas market has lacked a range of spark plugs designed specifically for lp gas-powered engines. NGK, based in Hertfordshire, says it has filled that gap with its LPG LaserLine, a range of spark plugs developed specifically for gas-powered engines.

Martin Pring, general manager at NGK, said: “In the past, choosing a plug that is suitable for use with gas was often difficult and time consuming. Because the combustion of gas is very different from the combustion of petrol, the gas/air mixture is more difficult to ignite.

“The required ignition voltage increases, placing significantly more stress on the ignition coils and increasing the risk of their failure. The gas/air mixture also burns at a higher temperature, which means the standard plug heat range may not be suitable.

“Conventional electrode and housing materials corrode more quickly in this environment and the spark plug also has to dissipate more heat. Until now, the best solution was to change from standard spark plugs to precious metal spark plugs, perhaps with a different heat range, and to adjust the spark gap.”

LPG LaserLine spark plugs are suitable for more than 90 percent of conversion capable vehicles in Europe and have an iridium tipped centre electrode and a ground electrode that contains a platinum chip. The copper core in the ground electrode improves temperature discharge, helping to regulate the higher temperatures found in lpg-powered engines. An insulator protects the spark plugs from fouling when used with petrol.

NGK says it has conducted studies that show that the required ignition voltage in gas-powered engines increases by as much as 7,000 volts. The iridium centre electrode provides a counter measure since it requires a lower ignition voltage, reducing stress on the coils.

Contact NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd on 01442 281000 www.ngkntk.co.uk