Cleaning Spark Plugs

[Raize]

I would like some tips and tricks for cleaning these little guys (particularly for carbon fouling). My current method is:

Spray with carb cleaner
Scrub with toothbrush
Emery paper in the gap
Burn with blowtorch til it glows red

Anyone got any suggestions/additions? Needs to be accomplishable with normal garage equipment, no ultrasonic cleaners or anything.

[falkster]

What car is it for? ECP have enough promos throughout the year to buy new ones - wouldn't you class them as a consumable?

[skene]

Wire brush has left mine looking okay

[wst]

I always used some petrol and a toothbrush, maybe a wire brush if they're particularly nasty, then if you've got it, compressed air to dry them off and blast any swarf to kingdom come.

[clockworks]

I used to use a brass wire brush. That was on 2-stroke bikes, as the plugs needed cleaning every month or two. These days, I wouldn't bother on a relatively modern car. Surely cars run too clean these days for the plugs to coke up?

[Rickyy]

Raize said:

Anyone got any suggestions/additions?

Yeah, buy some new ones you tight git

Although you are forgiven if you have more than 5 cylinders!

[Jacobyte]

Don't forget to check the gap with a feeler gauge after cleaning then adjust if necessary.

[BFG TERRANO]

If the motors running right they shouldn't need cleaning?

[Rubin215]

For all the cost of a new set of plugs is, why bother?

I have a stock of plugs in the garage for the various vehicles I own, plus some of the more common bike ones for bikes I "just might buy".

Weigh up the value of your time in fannying about with cleaners, brushes and blowtorches against just opening a new box, confirming the gap and screwing home.

[Zad]

The plugs in a modern electronically controlled engine really shouldn't be fouling up anyway. Any idea what is causing it?

[V8RX7]

I used to clean them with a bronze wire brush (Yes I know in theory that's bad practise but it worked)

Or for flooded cars I'd heat them up on a camping stove (or my Mum's gas hob)

However these days unless it's out of hours I just buy a new set.

[RichB]

But to answer the chap's question it's simply a question of brushing the soot off and cleaning the electrodes with some fine emery paper, check the gap and Bob's your uncle, 2 min job.

[Astra Dan]

I agree that if you feel they need cleaning you either have issues, or your engine does!
I change the plugs in my 1988 Astra (1.3 carb) about every 20-30k miles, and that's mostly so they don't seize in place! I think my 1999 car puts the interval at something like 40k.

What makes you think about cleaning your plugs?

[CubanPete]

A basic ultrasonic tank is only £30 from maplin. They're not as exotic as people make them out to be.

[morgrp]

Rubin215 said:

For all the cost of a new set of plugs is, why bother?

I have a stock of plugs in the garage for the various vehicles I own, plus some of the more common bike ones for bikes I "just might buy".

Weigh up the value of your time in fannying about with cleaners, brushes and blowtorches against just opening a new box, confirming the gap and screwing home.

This - they're so cheap it's easier just to replace

[Raize]

morgrp said:

Rubin215 said:

For all the cost of a new set of plugs is, why bother?

I have a stock of plugs in the garage for the various vehicles I own, plus some of the more common bike ones for bikes I "just might buy".

Weigh up the value of your time in fannying about with cleaners, brushes and blowtorches against just opening a new box, confirming the gap and screwing home.

This - they're so cheap it's easier just to replace

Takes ages to be shipped :/
Engine is very very very badly tuned and fouls plugs to the point of no spark within 15 minutes of starting hence the spark plug usage.

[D900SP]

Raize said:

Takes ages to be shipped :/
Engine is very very very badly tuned and fouls plugs to the point of no spark within 15 minutes of starting hence the spark plug usage.

Then why even bother cleaning plugs on an engine that doesn't run correctly?
Total waste if time and effort.

"Takes ages to be shipped"? right...........

[Raize]

D900SP said:

Raize said:

Takes ages to be shipped :/
Engine is very very very badly tuned and fouls plugs to the point of no spark within 15 minutes of starting hence the spark plug usage.

Then why even bother cleaning plugs on an engine that doesn't run correctly?
Total waste if time and effort.

Okay you're right I'll just throw the entire engine away because the mixture and timing are out of tune.

[Matt UK]

Raize said:

Takes ages to be shipped :/

Where are you? The Congo?

[Rubin215]

Raize said:

D900SP said:

Raize said:

Takes ages to be shipped :/
Engine is very very very badly tuned and fouls plugs to the point of no spark within 15 minutes of starting hence the spark plug usage.

Then why even bother cleaning plugs on an engine that doesn't run correctly?
Total waste if time and effort.

Okay you're right I'll just throw the entire engine away because the mixture and timing are out of tune.

Then why not get someone who knows what they're doing (because you obviously don't...) to sort this out and then FIT NEW PLUGS!!!