fouled plugs

[flying_fin]

Can anyone give us a technical synopsis on "fouled plugs"? It just occured to me to today when my buddy asked me why plugs get fouled and what does it actually mean from a plug standpoint and I could not give him a really good answer. I just grew up knowing that a fouled plug ment that the cylinder was not fireing, ie... bad plug. Just curious to know what exactly the mechanical mechanism is for a plug that is fouled and what the actual cause is. I know it probably is a dumb question but I am sure there are plenty of guys out there who wonder the same thing.

Thanks,

Da Fin

 

[fastassyamaha]

Ive grew up the same way that you new of it as and all i know when plugs fowl on me is when its running to rich the plugs get to dirty loaded up on carbin that it makes it to hard to spark and when the spark is dulled the more carbin left behind to make it dirtyer and it finnaly causes it to stop sparking thats what my dad tould be so if im rong someone correct me

 

[SledderSteve]

This might help: http://www.championsparkplugs.com/sparkplug411.asp?kw=Fouling&mfid=2

 

[vipertripplexxx]

Electricity follows the path of least resistance, normally thats the air gap in your spark plug. What happens when the ceramic insulator gets dirty, is the carbon acts as conductor, and the electrical charge runs down the side of the ceramic insulator, instead of jumping across the gap.
Instead of throwing away those fowled plugs, take'm home hold them with a pair of pliers, and give'm a good torching with you propane torch, just don't melt off the ground electrode. I usually heat them long enough to see the porcelin turn back to a lite brown color.
Now you don't have to hand out your new plugs to your pals who were gonna get some last time you stopped. If you ride with cat owners ya know what i'm sayi'n