Clean Spark Plugs

Spark plugs are vital to making an engine run. They ignite the vapor of the fuel, which starts the engine. Though they are small parts of what makes an engine run, they can also contribute to problems with the engine's capabilities if they are dirty. Also called fouled, dirty spark plugs are the result of the insulating noses at the firing tips getting clogged with debris, such as carbon, oil and fuel. The firing mechanisms of the spark plugs will no longer work properly when fouled, and the automobile will not use fuel efficiently. It also may make a sputtering noise, a result of the miss-firing of the spark plugs. When this occurs, if you choose to save a little money by cleaning your spark plugs instead of purchasing new ones, following a few simple steps will lead to clean spark plugs.

Steps

1. Remove and clean your spark plugs "one at a time" from your engine using a ratchet wrench with a spark plug socket.
   
   Caution: Getting wires back on in the wrong order can damage your engine, and certainly won't work, by igniting fuel at the wrong times.
   • Label and number each wire with tape and its matching hole with the same number, then you could remove all of the spark plugs at once. Don't remove the wire from the distributor unless you accurately number each outlet to match the plug and its cable.
2. Brush off any visible dirt and debris from your spark plugs with a clean rag.
3. Clean the firing end of the spark plugs with a quick drying liquid.
   • 90% strength alcohol, brake or carburetor/injector cleaner or mineral spirits are good choices that all work well when cleaning spark plugs.
4. Alternatively, wearing gloves and eye protection, clean badly fouled plugs by soaking the firing end in about 1/2 inch (1.3cm) of a cheap brand of liquid toilet bowl cleaner for a few minutes (such as The Works, in the USA) consisting of Hydrogen Chloride, (HCl) sold in 20% strength. Rinse well, brush, dig out any goop with a thin wire. Use the alcohol, brake or carburetor/injector cleaner or mineral spirits to quickly displace water to dry them. Dry well.
   • Buy HCl available in a quite stronger liquid solution called Muriatic Acid, or Hydrochloric Acid (exact same stuff), at a hardware store, home building supply/lumberyard).
     
     Caution: Only dilute any strong acid by pouring it into water (the opposite can cause popping/splattering) of drops of strong solution.
5. Blow any excess particles while cleaning spark plugs with low air pressure.
   • Canned pressurized air will work well to remove tiny bits of debris if you don't have an air compressor.
6. Apply a dry compound to clean any excess dirt from the spark plugs that might not be visible to the eye.
   • This is an important step to take even when cleaning spark plugs that appear to be clean.
7. Blast the clean spark plugs again with the pressurized air.
   • This extra blast of air simply eliminates any debris left on the spark plugs.
8. Use a wire brush to clean the threads of the spark plugs.
   • Gap the clean spark plugs to your automobile's specifications using a spark plug gap tool.
9. Remove dirt oil and grime from each of the spark plug holes with a rag.
   • If the holes are extremely dirty, you can use the same solution to clean them that you used for your spark plugs.
10. Reinstall the clean spark plugs into the spark plug holes, tightening to the correct torque. Double-check that each wire/cable is replaced onto the correct spark plug as your go.
    • Start your vehicle to see how well it runs now that the spark plugs are clean.

Tips

• Wait until your vehicle's engine is cool before removing spark plugs to clean them.
• After putting the clean spark plugs back into place, consider purchasing new spark plugs if your vehicle still does not run properly. While cleaning spark plugs will buy some time until getting new ones, once spark plugs electrodes wear out (burn down) they will not work as efficiently as new ones.
• You can purchase a spark plug gap tool at an automobile parts store.
• Use a small knife to scrape off stubborn dirt when cleaning spark plugs.

Warnings

• Don't expect the cleaned spark plugs to last as long as new ones. Spark plug burning down makes replacement necessary for proper automobile maintenance, and spark plug cleaning and gapping only allows the old spark plugs to last for a while longer until new ones are installed.
• Do not attempt to clean and reuse any spark plugs that have cracks or deposits that you can't remove.

Things You'll Need

• Clean rag
• Brake or carburetor/injector cleaner, mineral spirits or 90% alcohol (not rubbing alcohol which is 30% water)
• Liquid toilet bowl cleaner of Hydrogen Chloride, (HCl) (sold in 20% strength) also called Muriatic Acid and Hydrochloric Acid
• Canned pressurized air
• Dry compound
• Wire brush
• Spark plug socket and ratchet wrench
• Spark plug gap tool

Sources and Citations

• http://www.weeksmotorcycle.com/cleaning-spark-plugs.html
• http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/techinfo/spark_plugs/faq/faqoldplugs.asp?nav=31200&country=US
• http://www.briggsandstratton.com/engines/support/frequently-asked-questions/Servicing%20the%20spark%20plug/

See also

• Replace an Ignition Coil on an Aircooled Vw (Volkswagen) Beetle
• Replace the Alternator on a Chevy S10
• Replace the Starter on a Chevy Cavalier
• Remove an Ignition Barrel on a Renault Midliner (Old Model)
• Program a Replacement Keyless Entry Fob for a 1996 Toyota 4Runner
• Replace Starter in a 1998 Tacoma
• Remove the Starter from a 1998 Tacoma 4X4 V 6
• Charge a Dead Car Battery
• Check Car Battery Water Levels
• Jump Start a Car

Read more ...

What links here

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• Gap a Spark Plug
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