Will spark plugs be made obsolete?
 

I can't imagine how that will replace a spark plug that is cheap, proven, it lasts 100,000 miles in a lot of cars and is available anywhere.

This laser thingie may allow the internal combustion engine to hang around a bit longer. MUCH tighter smog & fuel economy regulations are just around the corner. Obama has promised so.

I'll recap the thread already on this topic:

This will be very succeptible to carbon fouling.

It seems like a very expensive system for a simple problem. (Like air springs for valves, I could see this technology used in F1 and no where else.)

What happens if a fiber-optic line get cut? Will it set things on fire or burn holes in stuff?

How do you diagnose a problem with the system?

Pluggin into the computer for a read out just like they do now would solve the diagnosis...the others? Good questions all.

I guess what I was getting at was how do you really diagnose problems? We all know that most modern "mechanics" (and I use that term loosely) get a readout from the computer, and start changing parts in the area the computer pinpointed until the problem goes away. Very few seem to know how to use a multimeter or stethoscope anymore. Very few seem to understand that just because the apparent problem has been resolved, there may be a root cause hidden a level deeper or the system just upstream may be the real culprit...

Burnt chicken?

Hee hee.

I don't know what you are talking about. ;)

Awesome. Finally I can tell people that my Porsche has frickin' laser beams attached to it's heads.

note the mis-spelling of fouling - that got the chicken joke started...

I bet those laser thingies would be great for lighting farts...

Damn you beat me to it!

I saw how the ceramic brake rotors on a GT3 cost 16 grand to replace. They can be used up in one season of track days. Steel rotors are less than 400 bucks and last longer.

Laser spark plugs will be in the same league. Only bleeding edge technology adapters will need apply.

Actually it may be a very good idea. You would have to get beyond the fowling of the lens due to soot build-up but I am sure some industrious chemical company that specializes in lubricants and fuel improvers could whip sump'n up to take care of it.

They'll be on mass production 'cheap' cars in the next couple years

Will spark plugs be made obsolete?
 

Diesel. BTDT.

It is getting harder to be a shadetree mechanic.