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Forum > Emissions Component > Question

Can cheap sparkplugs cause my car to fail the smog test?

Just wondering if... I have some cheap spark plugs, so I guess that's the reason why my number one spark plug rises up when the engine is hot, but my car still runs fine. Now do you think because of that the smog check place can fail me?
Answer:

Cheap sparkplugs are not necessarily going to cause your vehicle to fail the smog inspection. Cheap sparkplugs may wear out sooner then factory recommend brands of spark plugs (usually Bosch and AC Delco), but new sparkplugs regardless of how much they cost, if they were designed for your specify car and approved for sale in California by the California Air Resources Board they should not cause any problem with the smog check. Now you mention "the sparkplug rises". Does it physically move? If so the sparkplug is defective / broken, and needs to be replaced. It will definitely cause a smog check failure; visually and possibly due to increase emissions (HC & CO). posted by SmogTips Support

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