How do you clean your spark plugs

Courtland1949 · Dec 14, 2018

Just wanna know how folks go about cleaning old used spark plugs, when you don't have an ultrasonic cleaner?

BigPapa53 · Dec 14, 2018

I just buy new ones. They're cheap.

-Scott

DeltaRed · Dec 14, 2018

I have a mini sand blaster/sparkplug cleaner from Harbor freight. Cost about 12 bucks.However,I just as often use a screwdriver,or my pocket knife and wire brush.

Geo-TH,In · Dec 14, 2018

I have a HF sandblaster. Used it until I figured out how to properly adjust carb on Farmall. I just replaced plugs in Jubilee, $10 for 4 plugs. Plugs were old. Not worth it to clean them.

Might be worth it if you have an oil burning engine and want to clean plugs. Plugs last a long time if you have a clean burning engine.

Some cars can go over 100K.

old · Dec 14, 2018

Carb cleaner spray and a wire wheel on the bench grinder

Dean · Dec 14, 2018

I use an old JC Whitney plug blaster. Works great.

IIRC, I bought it about 30 or 35 years ago. Have not bought new plugs for any of my gasoline tractors since.

I do need to add a bit of blasting media from time to time.

Dean

John Garner · Dec 14, 2018

Doesn't matter much how you clean them; there's simply no way of cooking them that makes them tender enough to eat.

Mutt and Jeff · Dec 14, 2018

Trash can

jeffcat · Dec 14, 2018

Those old sandblast sparkplug cleaners work great but be very carefull. I use a magnifier glass to make sure there is not a single tiny piece of sand stuck around the porcelain. Just be careful.

JimKS · Dec 14, 2018

I was taught by a man that rebuild antique plugs to use a propane torch.Hold the plug with a pliers and burn the carbon off. The porcelain will even turn white. Do not use oxy acet as it is to hot. He claimed wire brush left metal deposits on the porcelain and blasting damaged the glaze on the porcelain. I have been using this method with good results.

Jim

hd6gtom · Dec 14, 2018

In my 60 years of driving, I've never cleaned a plug. I use E15 in everything. I've owned my Echo chain saw for 20+ years. The clutch went out after cutting dozens of pickup loads of wood over the years. The chain saw place pulled the plug and put it back in the saw. 1st time it was ever out. Said it looked like new.

UncleTom · Dec 14, 2018

Harbor freight plug blaster. I have used it for over 30 years and on small engines it is a life saver. If you foul a plug, just blast it and blow it out with air. Then i have a huge magnifying glass to inspect it for sand.It was like $10 and has saved me hundreds. Never a problem.

Stephen Newell · Dec 14, 2018

When I clean them I use a sand blaster. You just have to be sure you blow out the sand from the plugs afterwards.

Leroy · Dec 14, 2018

Have had 2 sand blaster over the years, First was AC as in AC spark plugs, it was sold 40 years ago have one I dont rememer make now but hasen't been userd in 20 years. But years ago was cleaning Champion or AC twice a day every day in spring work season. Changed to Tractor Supply Plugs ; this was when they had their own brand; did not have to pull plugs in either tractor for over 2 years. But this says a good runner can have plugs fowling out all the time and just changing brands can stop the fowling. Haven't bought either Champion or AC since. The garage replaced plugs with AC as that is what the book for the car called for and nothing but problems after they pulled them and went to something different.

Mexico46958 · Dec 14, 2018

I have a 12 volt cleaner that uses grit type cleaning medium. You stick plug in rubber socket and just the metal end is blasted with the medium. A slinger type fan dispenses the medium inside the chamber. Handy, but hardly used. It was military surplus.

Russ from MN · Dec 14, 2018

My father used the gas burner on the kitchen range.

RandyB(MI) · Dec 14, 2018

I agree 100% ! I use a small butane torch and heat then until insulator turns white and then blow out the burned off debris with high pressure air. All that is needed and doesn't hurt plug at all.

Paul from MI · Dec 14, 2018

Oxy-propane torch. Run the most oxygen you can and heat the center insulator til it's white. They be as good as new.

Mutt and Jeff · Dec 15, 2018

Jewelers loupe

and a dental pick

take your time

might take a couple hours

like being in the dentist chair and have the teeth deep cleaned plaque removal

MarkB_MI · Dec 15, 2018

I use a propane torch, oxyacetylene torch or gas range, depending on what's available. You do have to be very careful with oxyacetylene to avoid damaging the plug. I adjust for an oxidizing flame and use a light touch; the oxidizing flame quickly removes fouling.

dr sportster · Dec 15, 2018

Bead blast . but on a sidenote I am restoring a Leonard spark plug cleaner . The mirror is at the chrome platers right now.

Old Scovy · Dec 15, 2018

With a pocket knife. and blow hard with your lips puckered real good for air presure. Worked good on the old JD "D" Burning Kero in the old D would foul the plugs.

JerryCPP(WA) · Dec 15, 2018

When I was young I noticed some rusty spark plugs on an old table near my uncle's shop. I asked him why they were there, and he told me that's how you clean spark plugs. The rust would push the carbon off the metal, and then he'd brush them with an old wire brush. This was long before they got electricity there, and everything was done as economically as possible.

Bret4207 · Dec 16, 2018

Wire wheel, heat, ether. Not in that order, but it works if the plug can be saved.

Oh, and don't buy junk plugs in the first place.

How do you clean your spark plugs

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