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Abrasive Spark Plug Cleaner

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Lars

12-29-2001 12:25:42

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All:

What are the down sides of using an abrasive spark plug cleaner? They seem to be a good idea for an older tractor.

I looked at one at Northern Tool & Supply (Item# 155522). It has what appears to be a cloth mask over it. Does anyone have any experiences with it? Are there other sources for abrasive spark plug cleaners?

Many thanks,

Lars

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Lars

01-02-2002 19:47:41

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Re: Abrasive Spark Plug Cleaner in reply to Lars, 12-29-2001 12:25:42

All:

I appreciate the input. Thanks for taking the time.

Lars

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Johnny

12-30-2001 08:27:34

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Re: Abrasive Spark Plug Cleaner in reply to Lars, 12-29-2001 12:25:42

You could buy 20 brand new plugs for the same price, why even try to clean them up?

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Tim

12-30-2001 06:44:20

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Re: Abrasive Spark Plug Cleaner in reply to Lars, 12-29-2001 12:25:42

Abrasive grit and the inside of an engine don't get along,what I've done for years is direct the blue flame tip of a propane torch as deep inside the plug as possible around the center electrode untill the crud is burned dry and crispy,then clean with wire brush and compressed air,check plug gap.

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Wade

12-30-2001 02:03:06

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Re: Abrasive Spark Plug Cleaner in reply to Lars, 12-29-2001 12:25:42

I have heard you can grind crap into the plugs using a wire brush, causing them to misfire.

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Moron

12-30-2001 12:09:00

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Re: Re: Abrasive Spark Plug Cleaner in reply to Wade, 12-30-2001 02:03:06

I guess anything's possible but the Jeep's got 235,000 miles so far and it's a long drive to town so they've been brushed more than a few times. Never saw any reason to have an extra set of plugs sitting around that I probably couldn't find anyway. I am smart enough to run diesel tractors though.

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ROS

12-29-2001 21:36:54

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Re: Abrasive Spark Plug Cleaner in reply to Lars, 12-29-2001 12:25:42

Good idea to use wire brush, I have known of many a engine badly damaged by not being able to remove all abrasive from inside plugs. Most small engine shops stopped using these cleaners years ago.

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ron g

12-29-2001 18:05:30

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Re: Abrasive Spark Plug Cleaner in reply to Lars, 12-29-2001 12:25:42

i have almost every tool made- it would seem, but not one of them. i use them things for fill. only my thought right or wrong ron

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Greg D.

12-29-2001 17:40:34

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Re: Abrasive Spark Plug Cleaner in reply to Lars, 12-29-2001 12:25:42

The guys are correct and would add a few more things. With the sand-blast effect to the porcelain tip you are also making it more porous and more prone to fouling in the future. It is however the greatest thing to get spark plugs cleaned up to run when no other plugs are around. I have used a Brake Clean type cleaner to spray into the tip and then blow it out till dry with the air hose. Set the gap and try your luck.

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Franz

12-29-2001 12:42:53

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Re: Abrasive Spark Plug Cleaner in reply to Lars, 12-29-2001 12:25:42

The biggest downside is a moron using one who doesn't carefully examine the plug after cleaning to make certain all abrasive is gone from the inner recess of the plug. The second biggest downside is a kid who dumps all the abrasive out.
What you call the mask is a collector bag that grabs the abrasive as the air escapes thru the bag.
The idea has been around for years, back in the 50s every garage had a Champion plug cleaning machine. That machine also has chambers you put the plugs into to test for spark under pressure, just like the condition the plug operates in.
The current generation of cheapo cleaners are worth the $20 they sell for, as long as you use it properly. The replacement abrasive is called Black Beauty, use the finest grade.

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Robert Kay

12-07-2002 21:51:41

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Re: Re: Abrasive Spark Plug Cleaner in reply to Franz, 12-29-2001 12:42:53

I am looking to buy a spark plug cleaning machine. Please respond if anyone has a machine for sale?

Robert Kay

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bill b va

12-30-2001 11:17:30

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Re: Re: Abrasive Spark Plug Cleaner in reply to Franz, 12-29-2001 12:42:53

franz... you are right about the champion spark plug cleaners back in the 50' . however you never mentioned that you could clean a plug until it looked like new and then test it under pressure and some would not fire . you could actually watch the spark as you increased the preassure and see when it broke down . i have cleaned plugs with carb cleaner or oven cleaner to keep things running until my next trip to town

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Franz

12-30-2001 13:35:05

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Re: Re: Re: Abrasive Spark Plug Cleaner in reply to bill b va, 12-30-2001 11:17:30

I should have mentioned that, sorry.
Actually, I've given up on restoring my Champion, can't find a replacement for the little rubber nozzle down inside the blaster. I had to remove the AC cord when I caught my stepson hooking the spark lead to the dillpress to shock his buddys.

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George

12-29-2001 16:28:18

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Re: Re: Abrasive Spark Plug Cleaner in reply to Franz, 12-29-2001 12:42:53

France, You are soo right!! I saw a two stroke motorcycle and a chain saw that a fellow ruined the pistons and cylinders because he did not know to clean every bit of abrasive out of the plugs after cleaning. The bore was so scored it would not run on the cycle and the saw had NO compression at all. The motorcycle was salvaged with a rebore and piston but the saw was junk as it had a "chrome bore"

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Moron

12-29-2001 19:10:43

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Re: Re: Re: Abrasive Spark Plug Cleaner in reply to George, 12-29-2001 16:28:18

Looks like I better stick with my grinder spinning a wire brush. Never had a problem and the plugs work great.

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