Is it goodbye to the lowly spark plug?

Photos

Spark plug file photo

see larger image

uploaded by truthcaster

Spark plugs. Those heavy for their size piece of metal chunk that are indispensable part of all automobiles, except diesel ones. You know what I mean.

Anyway, it seems like Ford, and scientist at the Liverpool University are developing a new ignition system for the car using laser to ignite the fuel! Sounds like a good idea. Although, to every gasoline car owner, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the the lowly spark plug. I had 300,000 miles on my Toyota and only replaced the spark plugs twice. Last I checked, the plugs cost $1.74 each. And it's a pretty easy do-it-yourself job that no one should ever need the service of a $80 dollar per hour mechanics with a two hour minimum. I think it will still a long time before these laser make it to cars so we, weekend mechanics could breath a sigh of relief. Who knows, by that time internal combustion engines may be obsolete.

Anyway, here's the story: