Spark Plug cleaning

[MadeCoolCom]

What is the best way to clean a spark plugs I been cleaning my plugs on my lawn mowers with a wire wheel or sometimes i just clean them with a wire brush and then use a little file to clean the terimal then I rinse off with WD-40 (I give them a good spray with WD-40 to rinse off all the cabon build up I removed) Them re-gap the plugs. It this ok for boat outboards or is there a better way.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Spark Plug cleaning

These work well. Cheap as they are though, I'd just replace them every so often as nessesary.<br /><br /> web page

 

[Skyhigh]

Re: Spark Plug cleaning

My Plugs Cost $1.29 at wal-mart.<br />At The dealer Ship It Cost $3.60.<br />I Buy Them From Wal-Mart and replace every 10 hours.

 

[ibm135]

Re: Spark Plug cleaning

What is the spark plug cleaner tool you posted the link for? The picture is kind of small, and I can not make out what it does to clean the plug.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Spark Plug cleaning

It basically sandblasts the plug. They have been around for years. Gets them clean as new in a few seconds. Self-contained, too.<br /><br /> web page<br /><br />Or:<br /><br /> Electric one

 

[MadeCoolCom]

Re: Spark Plug cleaning

Middleground <br />I think I will try your way. I been cleaning spark plugs for my cars and lawn mowers a long time but I stopped doing it and just bought new ones but at $3.50 a plug every 10 hours it starts to add up that's $7.00 plus tax. We need to save on the plugs to make up for the high cost of gas.<br />I like to sometimes use a few of the 1 or 2 bristles on the brush I using to clean inside between the insulation and the outside wall a little bit by moving the bristles up and down. I don't like using the Gumout cleaner so much and have used the WD-40 to rinse off the plug after I get finished. Because I don't like to get the Gumout spray on my skin even though I used to use it alot I don't do it because it comes out fast and usually get on me. But it is the best to use.<br />I see how it works if I think i need to use the <br />carbeutor cleaner I will because I thinking I might need to use it on these plugs now to cut through the build up a little bit.

 

[wikelam]

Re: Spark Plug cleaning

small brass brush and berrimans carb cleaner

 

[Ranger Dave]

Re: Spark Plug cleaning

10 hrs??? Why change your plugs so often? There is no reason why you couldn't easily get 50 hrs out of a set of plugs and have no worries. If you can't you have something wrong with your engine.<br /><br />My uncle ran his engine for over 3 years before the plugs acted up. He lives on the water and runs his engine everyday in the summer for at least 2 hours. He did it as a test to see how long plugs would really last. He is retired and has lots of time on his hands...<br /><br />I think one day some of you will experence the joys of pulling the head and having a helicoil(s) put in.<br /><br />I replace mine once a year and have a new set onboard.

 

[MadeCoolCom]

Re: Spark Plug cleaning

Ok now I know more about the spark plug cleaning. Thanks Middleground <br /><br />If I can find my type of spark plug at Wal-Mart like Skyhigh said for $1.29 Then I might stock on them. <br /><br />As far as sandblasting goes I don't like the idea of sand on my plugs I guess it would be ok But I would want to blow off good with compressed air and clean them plugs after wards with something like carb cleaner anyway to get the sand off that might be left on after I cleaned them.<br /><br />It's nice to know how to save some money but I guess new plugs are not really that much compared to the effort and time involved in cleaning them espesically if you buy at Wal-Mart like Skyhigh said. But I still going try and clean some time at least one cleaning I will try to get 1 cleaning out of my plugs save something. I see how runs after I clean them. It seems like a wast to just put new ones in after only 10 hours I this is a good idea to go over a little bit. I talked to best spark plug cleaners around now.<br /> Thanks you all.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Spark Plug cleaning

I got my 115 Merc in 1991. At once purchased a set of new plugs to carry in a tight box on the boat - just in case.<br /><br />I decided to run on the originals until some sort of problem ocurred - just to see how it went.<br /><br />Took them out once every season, but ever only wiped them with a cloth and refitted them. Always looked nice and pretty clean.<br /><br />After 12 - twelve - years of service I finally got rough idle this summer and replaced all 4 plugs.<br /><br />Never had any problems. Started first time every time, also after sitting over winters.

 

[MadeCoolCom]

Re: Spark Plug cleaning

Good for you all you that have a good running engine. But for us that don't have a great running engine for some reason maybe we bought or outboard used and the previous owner did't mix oil right and now our plugs need to be changed every 10 to 20 hour to keep the engine running good and this is the only problem we have then we will just have to keep this maintenance up on the plugs. No big deal for us. I think it helps my motor to run with new plugs after a while I notice my 60 HP 2 cylinder Evinrude is not starting good but when I replace my plugs seems to run better and start better. My engine likes them clean spark plugs. I been using my engine on the same plugs for the last 45 to 60 miles and now starting to have a hard time starting seems like it is but maybe it my imagination but I like to have clean plugs in the engine. <br />It is a nice running engine. But now I think a spark plug change will get it back running good again. I'm sure it will.