How to clean spark plugs

R

raprice22

Member
What's the best way to clean carbon off of spark plugs? Or, is it more advisable to just replace the plugs with new ones. I have Champion W16Y in my car now and they have performed well.
Rog
 
a pic would be nice showing the carbon and color

if it is carbon from oil burning i would run a hotter plug like an 18...
also for the price of spark plugs the cheaper champs (not 3X) i would replace them
 
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A propane torch can burn off some oil and soot. I don't like to scrape them with a knife or use a wire brush because I think some metal can be scraped off onto the insulator and help it short. I've used my sandblaster, but use fine grit and no more than 40 lbs pressure, then just blast long enough to get the soot removed. You must get all the grit blown out or it can damage the engine.

If you do a lot of short drives, take a long drive and that may also burn them clean, but as Mitch said, you may just need a hotter plug.
 
I have burned 2 sets of 3X plugs that were carbon fouled by running a lean mixture, some I had to add some spark gap to get them to fire at first -- 5 miles at 55 and they were clean

Perhaps you are running too rich a mixture--have you tried closing the GAV more
 
raprice22 said:
What's the best way to clean carbon off of spark plugs? Or, is it more advisable to just replace the plugs with new ones. I have Champion W16Y in my car now and they have performed well.
Rog
Click to expand...

Hey Rog,
'best way to clean'...
I have a 'spark plug cleaner' attached to the front of my work bench.
I've had this same cleaner for over 50years. Just found out that Harbor Freight sells same old time style CHEAP cleaner now. Included with cleaner is a real good 'silica' sand abrasive.
I've used this method forever on all sorts of machinery spark plugs and hardly ever have to buy new plugs.

There is a proper way to clean/adjust and check plugs , and if done properly, plugs will last a long time. Learn the proper way and save $ :) !

Just because a plug is USED, doesn't mean that it has gone bad. Just like , because a plug is NEW, doesn't mean that it is good !
 
Thanks guys. I believe that I may have been running a little rich. Hardtimes gave me a good idea. Next time I'm in Harbor Freight, I'll look for their spark plug cleaner. Of course, I can also go to the W18Y plug.
Thanks again.
Rog
 
hardtimes said:
Yeah, this is very close to the old one that I've used and that Harbor Freight has for sale...with bag and silica. Where's the 'door' that you mention :confused: !
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the flap is inside is accessible once the bag is removed which is operated by the outside lever. this vixen was the common one available in the 80's. i am actually thinking of snatching this one up if no one else does, its a good deal.
 
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I've cleaned them with a wire brush and with the sand blast type cleaners and both work ok for me. The sand blast way does the purtiest job . If you are using Motor craft TT 10 plugs its best to just discard them and replace with a hotter plug such as a Champion W18 or the 3X if money isn't an issue.
 
Just do an ebay search for vixen spark plug cleaner. There is a ton of them on eBay. I picked one up for $9.95. Even if it is junk, for $9.95 it is no big deal.
 
I've cleaned many spark plugs. If you use a course sand blasting sand, a few grain of sand can wedge up inside the porcelain. You will never see this unless you take a small flash lite and look up inside the plug. I always use fine glass beads to clean plugs.
carry on nick c
 
nick c said:
I've cleaned many spark plugs. If you use a course sand blasting sand, a few grain of sand can wedge up inside the porcelain. You will never see this unless you take a small flash lite and look up inside the plug. I always use fine glass beads to clean plugs.
carry on nick c
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Hey nick,
Yeah, I agree with what you have stated, regarding blast media particles remaining inside plug after blasting. That is why I use high air pressure to clean / blast the insides thoroughly. Silica sand provided thru Harbor Freight is very effective in cleaning plugs, so I do not use the coarse sand.

Here is a picture of the plug cleaner that I've used forever. Notice the worn Vixen id on side. Went thru several of the original bags, so made a couple of bags of bullet proof material. One such bag is on unit now shown in pic.. It will probably outlast me..:) !
I have a buddy who has alzheimers (?) now, who has a NEW old time FANCY spark plug machine that is amazing to view. It has about every spark plug testing function that could be in one machine ! Never have seen another like it !
 

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