Fouled spark plug question

radman1420

radman1420

New member
Joined
Dec 8, 2007
Messages
40
Age
54
Location
Alabama
When you foul a spark plug is it no longer any good or can you dry it and reuse it? Just curious if previously fouled plugs can be used for backup. I know some plugs are inexpensive but hey if I can save a few bucks im all for it.

thanks
 

I bought one of these a while back and it works great.

http://www.bosstoolsupply.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3651

You hook it up to your compressor and you can sandblast your fouled plugs. Works great. I'm sure there is a source for this in the US somewhere (it's actually a US product: GRIP)

Just make sure there is no silica sand deposits left in the plug after you clean it. I use a dental pick to clean out whatevers left and blast it with some air.

I have mine mounted on the wall of my shop next to the compressor. Hook up the air line and clean away!!!

Exciterfan
 
Becareful with sandblasting the plugs as it also blasts the zinc or cadnium coating off of the threads and can destroy the threads in your head if you try to install a rusty plug. Just a word of caution. T
 
Actually this one doesn't sandblast much of the threads. In fact you could control how far you pu it into the rubber grommet and not even touch the threads.

Also you could change the blasting media to galss beads if you wanted to.

I generally only use the sabblasted plugs as emergency ones.
 
They sell them at Harbor freight. If you catch them on sale, they are only $10. After I clean mine, I spray them down with carb cleaner and then blow them dry with the compresor to remove any of the sandblast material.
 
i just throw them in bbq on high, on burner on stove, or toaster oven untill they stop smoking. then they are ready to go again.
 
in my experience u can clean and use them but they will foul alot sooner and easyer. i started put new plugs in at the beginning of the season and never had a problem after that. i use to clean them with some sandpaper and would never have anything but problems. my guess is the coating that is on them helps keep oil, gas and carbon from sticking to them. once u clean them with any abrasive or heat them to the point it burns off the gas and oil can stick more easily
 
Exciterfan said:
Why would anyone install a "rusty" plug???????
Click to expand...
LOL...no kidding..


I have the same unit on my shop wall,works good, i used the hell outa it
when i had my old work truck that carbon the shit outa the plugs,cleans
'em up like new..
 
i think he ment when u sand blast then u remove the coating. if u dont instal them right away and put them in ur spare plug holder they can rust. seeing how the protective coating is now gone and the steals is exposed to the elements. now comes ur on the side of the trail with a bad plug and all u have is the plus u sand blasted and they are rusty cause the zink has been sandblasted off. at that point most people would just instale them with out a thought of the threds inside the head.
 
terret725 said:
i think he ment when u sand blast then u remove the coating. if u dont instal them right away and put them in ur spare plug holder they can rust. seeing how the protective coating is now gone and the steals is exposed to the elements. now comes ur on the side of the trail with a bad plug and all u have is the plus u sand blasted and they are rusty cause the zink has been sandblasted off. at that point most people would just instale them with out a thought of the threds inside the head.
Click to expand...
DING DING DING
And we have a WINNER!!!!!
I know people that should know better to not do stupid things and have seen the mess first hand that was created by a plug that was sand blasted and installed, then they said why did it do that? as you look and see the rust through the carnage. I was NOT trying to insult anyones intelignece, I was only trying to point to just becareful as we all make mistakes sometimes. T
 
Gumout works well. Or try acetone. Dip ends of plug in either solution long enough to deplete oil film. Let air dry or run them across a Bernz-o-matic.
 
Just put in new plugs,you might have to cut back on a few beers !!!
Doc
 
Bandit,

No offense taken My question was a rhetorical one. I've met a few people who would do exactly what you've suggested. :>)

Actually this sand blaster is not that good, so I doubt it would remove too much of the protective coating, but it does remove the crud okay.

I always start with three new plugs in the machine and try to have three new ones in the spare plug holder.

Exciterfan
 
Exciterfan said:
Bandit,

No offense taken My question was a rhetorical one. I've met a few people who would do exactly what you've suggested. :>)

Actually this sand blaster is not that good, so I doubt it would remove too much of the protective coating, but it does remove the crud okay.

I always start with three new plugs in the machine and try to have three new ones in the spare plug holder.

Exciterfan
Click to expand...
No offense taken here either. I've sandblasted my fair share of plugs in my day too(and still do), and haven't had any problems. I just wanted to interject a possible scenario and add caution so that others don't get caught off guard and then complain that they are having issues with the threads in the spark plug holes from blasting plugs. On another note I have used everything from a torch to emery cloth or a needle file to clean the electrodes on plugs because I didn't have spares.
****Make sure that you have your plugs gapped properly so that you dont have performance issues. T
 
Hey guys thanks for the response. I think I will just work an hour extra and that will pay for the new plugs lol! Well might be a couple hours since I went to the iridium plugs.
 
bluehammer said:
Gumout works well. Or try acetone. Dip ends of plug in either solution long enough to deplete oil film. Let air dry or run them across a Bernz-o-matic.
Click to expand...

I normally soak them in gasoline (electrode facing straight up), and a day later take a handfull of toothpicks to rub them entirely clean... works great...

but.. acetone as mentioned above is the best solvent for this.. it just evaporates much quicker..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


Back
Top