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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / 4x4 Cars / April 2005Spark plug cleaning
My Dodge van has 8 cylinders. Eight plugs. Two bucks each. $16. I know that's not a heck of a lot of money, but it hurts to throw them out just cause they have a little bit of carbon on them. How to clean spark plugs? Ideas?  SignatureChristopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org www.mormons.com With one of these http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/AP-7833.html > My Dodge van has 8 cylinders. Eight plugs. Two bucks each. $16. I know > that's not a heck of a lot of money, but it hurts to throw them out just > cause they have a little bit of carbon on them. > > How to clean spark plugs? Ideas? Wish I had enough of an air compressor to support one of those. Anyhow, I did get the van running again. The problem turned to be a very dirty carb. Most of a can of Gold Eagle carb cleaner spray (tolune, acetone, alcohol, and all the good stuff) stripped off the black coating. Much better, now. SignatureChristopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org www.mormons.com With one of these http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/AP-7833.html > My Dodge van has 8 cylinders. Eight plugs. Two bucks each. $16. I know > that's not a heck of a lot of money, but it hurts to throw them out just > cause they have a little bit of carbon on them. > > How to clean spark plugs? Ideas? > My Dodge van has 8 cylinders. Eight plugs. Two bucks each. $16. I know > that's not a heck of a lot of money, but it hurts to throw them out just > cause they have a little bit of carbon on them. > > How to clean spark plugs? Ideas? Traditionally, sandblasting. Try to find a shop in your area that still has a plug sandblaster. Signature-Stephen H. Westin Any information or opinions in this message are mine: they do not represent the position of Cornell University or any of its sponsors. Stephen H. Westin proclaimed: >>My Dodge van has 8 cylinders. Eight plugs. Two bucks each. $16. I know >>that's not a heck of a lot of money, but it hurts to throw them out just [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Traditionally, sandblasting. Try to find a shop in your area > that still has a plug sandblaster. ... that charges less than $2.00 a plug of course. Plus the cost of taking them out, driving in another vehicle to the sandblast place, etc. Possibly cheaper in the long run to convert to a good electronic ignition and just change the plugs at the longer interval this allows. As you'd really want to clean the plugs and then regap them and then use a new washer to re-install. > Stephen H. Westin proclaimed: > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > interval this allows. As you'd really want to clean the plugs > and then regap them and then use a new washer to re-install. This web site has a tool designed specifically for your need. http://jcsonlinetoolshed.com/product.php/707/0/ > My Dodge van has 8 cylinders. Eight plugs. Two bucks each. $16. I know > that's not a heck of a lot of money, but it hurts to throw them out just > cause they have a little bit of carbon on them. > > How to clean spark plugs? Ideas? There's a sandblaster box made specifically for the purpose. No idea on price or who sells 'em. Failing that, a wire brush can usually accomplish the job. SignatureDon Bruder - dakidd@sonic.net - New Email policy in effect as of Feb. 21, 2004. Short form: I'm trashing EVERY E-mail that doesn't contain a password in the subject unless it comes from a "whitelisted" (pre-approved by me) address. See <http://www.sonic.net/~dakidd/main/contact.html> for full details. WRONG !!! A so called wire brush will render those plugs unuseable buddy ! Stop, do not pass go ! Do not claim your minute of fame! That so called bright idea of useing a wire brush is an idiotic idea. Unless of coarse you can prove that the carbon from the wire(steel) will not coat or leave behind traces of carbon on the porcelain? insulator. Unless one uses a brand new wire brush(stainless wire) Fig > > My Dodge van has 8 cylinders. Eight plugs. Two bucks each. $16. I know > > that's not a heck of a lot of money, but it hurts to throw them out just [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > price or who sells 'em. Failing that, a wire brush can usually > accomplish the job. > WRONG !!! > A so called wire brush will render those plugs unuseable buddy! Really? News to me, bub. It's been my standard method of coping with fouled plugs since before I got a driver's license - From lawn mowers and go-karts, to motorbikes, cars, and trucks - Or anything else that uses a spark plug. Guess what? I've never - as in not one single time - EVER - had a plug problem of any kind with a brush-cleaned plug. Unless, of course, you count the crud buildup that convinces me to pull the plugs and take a brush to 'em in the first place. > Stop, do not pass go ! > Do not claim your minute of fame! > That so called bright idea of useing a wire brush is an idiotic idea. Kinda like your post is idiotic? Back it on down a notch or three, son. By the sound of things, you're running more than a little rich, and only hitting on about four out of six, besides. > Unless of coarse you can prove that the carbon from the wire(steel) > will not coat or leave behind traces of carbon on the porcelain? insulator. Tell ya what - Since it's your claim that it will, how about we use standard debating methodology, and *YOU PROVE THAT IT DOES*. (Hint: The percentage of carbon in the steel is so low as to be effectively nonexistent in your scenario, and even if that weren't the case, it's bound up in the alloy, not laying on the surface waiting to be bumped loose on an unsuspecting plug) > Unless one uses a brand new wire brush(stainless wire) Spare me, son. If you had half a clue, you'd know as well as I do that stainless steel (like ANY steel, regardless of the type) has carbon in the alloy. Get back with me after somebody buys you an economy-size box of clue. > > > My Dodge van has 8 cylinders. Eight plugs. Two bucks each. $16. I know > > > that's not a heck of a lot of money, but it hurts to throw them out just [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > subject unless it comes from a "whitelisted" (pre-approved by me) address. > > See <http://www.sonic.net/~dakidd/main/contact.html> for full details. SignatureDon Bruder - dakidd@sonic.net - New Email policy in effect as of Feb. 21, 2004. Short form: I'm trashing EVERY E-mail that doesn't contain a password in the subject unless it comes from a "whitelisted" (pre-approved by me) address. See <http://www.sonic.net/~dakidd/main/contact.html> for full details. I've been wire brushing spark plugs since 1976 or so. SignatureChristopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org www.mormons.com In article <VvRbd.26812$5O5.20453@news-server.bigpond.net.au>, "Figjam\(cable\)" <figjam@bigpond.net.au> wrote: > WRONG !!! > A so called wire brush will render those plugs unuseable buddy! Really? News to me, bub. It's been my standard method of coping with fouled plugs since before I got a driver's license - From lawn mowers and go-karts, to motorbikes, cars, and trucks - Or anything else that uses a spark plug. Guess what? I've never - as in not one single time - EVER - had a plug problem of any kind with a brush-cleaned plug. Unless, of course, you count the crud buildup that convinces me to pull the plugs and take a brush to 'em in the first place. > Stop, do not pass go ! > Do not claim your minute of fame! > That so called bright idea of useing a wire brush is an idiotic idea. > I've been wire brushing spark plugs since 1976 or so. > ` Same here. > In article <VvRbd.26812$5O5.20453@news-server.bigpond.net.au>, > "Figjam\(cable\)" <figjam@bigpond.net.au> wrote: [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Do not claim your minute of fame! > > That so called bright idea of useing a wire brush is an idiotic idea. I've used a wire brush for many years. Can't say as how it's ever given me problems. SignatureChristopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org www.mormons.com WRONG !!! A so called wire brush will render those plugs unuseable buddy ! Stop, do not pass go ! Do not claim your minute of fame! That so called bright idea of useing a wire brush is an idiotic idea. Unless of coarse you can prove that the carbon from the wire(steel) will not coat or leave behind traces of carbon on the porcelain? insulator. Unless one uses a brand new wire brush(stainless wire) Fig > In article <H8Bbd.300607$bp1.148787@twister.nyroc.rr.com>, > "Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61-#spamblock*-@hotmail.com> wrote: [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > price or who sells 'em. Failing that, a wire brush can usually > accomplish the job. 2004. > Short form: I'm trashing EVERY E-mail that doesn't contain a password in the > subject unless it comes from a "whitelisted" (pre-approved by me) address. > See <http://www.sonic.net/~dakidd/main/contact.html> for full details. personally I like a nice nail file and get the metal brite, so I know I'm getting good spark -- We are Many Mark 5:9 > I've used a wire brush for many years. Can't say as how it's ever given me > problems. [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > > subject unless it comes from a "whitelisted" (pre-approved by me) address. > > See <http://www.sonic.net/~dakidd/main/contact.html> for full details. I dont know how much spark plugs are in the US (Stuff all Id imagine) but here in Australia they cost around the $2-$8 mark depending on quality of the plugs. Why not just replace them, even on a V8 the much about factor would far outweigh the cost of the new plugs, even at $5 each what $40 of an instant fix over hours of stuffing around with cleaning them? If you cant afford new plugs then you shouldnt be driving a car on the road, who knows what else your skimping on? Tyres? Suspention parts? Safety issues? > personally I like a nice nail file and get the metal brite, so I know I'm > getting good spark [quoted text clipped - 50 lines] > address. >> > See <http://www.sonic.net/~dakidd/main/contact.html> for full details. 1.98 each here...so 11.88,no big deal for me.(and im a cheap basterd) > I dont know how much spark plugs are in the US (Stuff all Id imagine) but > here in Australia they cost around the $2-$8 mark depending on quality of [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > who knows what else your skimping on? Tyres? Suspention parts? Safety > issues? I found that if you heat the plug up with a small torch untill it turns cherry red but not to the point that it melts makes them look like new out of the box. But I guess their is a risk of cracking the insulator. So far that works great for me. > My Dodge van has 8 cylinders. Eight plugs. Two bucks each. $16. I know > that's not a heck of a lot of money, but it hurts to throw them out just > cause they have a little bit of carbon on them. > > How to clean spark plugs? Ideas? K-Mart sels a small sand blaster for spark plugs that works great at 15.00 $ > K-Mart sels a small sand blaster for spark plugs that works great at > 15.00 $ Why not just replace the plugs for new one's....? Kind regards, Erik-Jan. As for me I like to get my money worth. I ran my F150 untill it started missing, and the tips were worn way up inside the insulator. I dont see how it ran at all. But I did replace the plugs that time. I hope to get anouther 80K out of the new plugs. Even though the plugs were worn down that bad the insulators were still white and looked like new. I cant see throwing a good plug away if its only problem is being fauld with gas or oil. I guess I got my bad habits from being a poor man. I would love to win the lottery. Only problem is I cant afford the tickets :) Sorry to rush off but its time for me to go and flip some burgers. > > K-Mart sels a small sand blaster for spark plugs that works great at > > 15.00 $ > > Why not just replace the plugs for new one's....? > Kind regards, > Erik-Jan. > As for me I like to get my money worth. I ran my F150 untill it started > missing, and the tips were worn way up inside the insulator. I dont see how [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > problem is I cant afford the tickets :) Sorry to rush off but its time for > me to go and flip some burgers. Even if you are poor...one sparkplug will be around USD 1,50 I recon or am I wrong here? Erik-Jan. > > As for me I like to get my money worth. I ran my F150 untill it started > > missing, and the tips were worn way up inside the insulator. I dont see how [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > am I wrong here? > Erik-Jan. plus what you have lost in fuel economy would have paid for new plugs long ago. you are going to stay poor longer at this rate Ron Im kinda changing the subject but this thread is almost dead anyway so I guess nobody will mind that much. I never did quite understand how worn plugs and stuff hurt fuel economy unless a cylinder is dead. I dont understand how it controls how much fuel goes into the engine. If you always press the accelerator to the floor when you accelerate, you send the same amount of fuel to the cylinders regardless if it burns or not. But if my ride starts missing then I have to do somthing about it. If the plugs are fauled then I will clean them. If they are worn then I will replace them. But only if it starts missing. Also after I replaced the plugs, dis cap and wires. I could not tell any difference in gas mileage. But I did replace them the same week it started missing. Come to find out it was the wires causing it to miss even though the plugs were shot. > > Even if you are poor...one sparkplug will be around USD 1,50 I recon or > > am I wrong here? [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > you are going to stay poor longer at this rate > Ron There are misses and then there are misses. An ignition system can be degraded a lot without producing a perceptable 'miss'. Less than optimum spark -> less than optimum burn -> less power. Eureka! Give it more gas to do the job. If you always press the accelerator to the floor when you accelerate, why are you asking about gas mileage? The biggest gas hog known is a heavy right foot. > Im kinda changing the subject but this thread is almost dead anyway so I > guess nobody will mind that much. [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > you are going to stay poor longer at this rate > > Ron SignatureWill Honea I always thought as long as the fuel mix lights then its all going to burn assuming the mix is right. Little flame becomes a big flame. Also the flame will still start in the same place every time reguardless as to how hot the spark is. But I do agree if the spark is too weak then it will not light the fuel every time. Now if you could send a spark from the plug to the piston then you could light more of it all at the same time to get more power. Hoping it does not burn a hole in the piston. But then I here some people say slower burning fuel gives more power and others say faster burning fuel gives more power. Im not really sure who is right on that one. But im leaning towards faster burning. But thats too far off topic. As to the question "If you always press the accelerator to the floor when you accelerate, why are you asking about gas mileage?" that was just a reply to the comment that was made "plus what you have lost in fuel economy would have paid for new plugs long ago." was to just try to get my point across. I really do not think it makes a noticeable difference. At least I could not see any when I gave my f-150 a complete badly needed tune up. I do try to keep an open mind. So if you can explain to me why im wrong then I'm willing to change my thinking. I am just asking for a good explanation before I change. The ones below are pretty good though. :) I just dont understand less than optimum burn from a weak spark across a small gap. > There are misses and then there are misses. An ignition system can be > degraded a lot without producing a perceptable 'miss'. Less than [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > why are you asking about gas mileage? The biggest gas hog known is a > heavy right foot. If a plug doesn't fire well, it is possible that on some revolutions of the engine the cylinder won't fire, or fires poorly. Not enough for you to feel, but enough to affect fuel mileage (actually performance, the fuel mileage hit is your fault as you try to make up for the performance hit! <g>) On Mon, 21 Feb 2005 05:21:42 UTC "John Doe Jr" <noaddress@aol.com> > wrote: > [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > > you are going to stay poor longer at this rate > > > Ron The physics of how that fuel burns is complex. It is not instant (when it is, you get a knock!) but takes a measurable amount of time. The beginning of the burn, that is when the spark first ignites the fuel/air mixture, is the slowest part. The hotter (bigger, more powerful, etc.) the spark, the more mix is ignited, which gives it a head start on the combution process. This becomes more critical as engine speed increases (there is less time for complete combustion) so an engine can have a high speed miss, and run well at lower speeds. The opposite can be true, but for a different reason, the spark is 'hotter' at lower revolutions generally, but sometimes there is a point where as engine speed drops it cannot ignite the mix. Another factor is that as a plug 'wears' and the gap becommes larger, the ignition timing changes! It takes more voltage to bridge that gap, and that takes longer to create. This type of problem can happen with new plugs that are gapped incorrectly, or with worn plugs. One could write a book about this... Oh, wait a minute, I bet someone has! <bg> >I do try to keep an open mind. So if you can explain to me why im wrong then >I'm willing to change my thinking. I am just asking for a good explanation >before I change. The ones below are pretty good though. :) I just dont >understand less than optimum burn from a weak spark across a small gap. Thanks for the info. That was enough to set me strait. Plus that explains why I never seen any difference in my F-150. I very rarely run it over 3000 RPMs > The physics of how that fuel burns is complex. It is not instant (when > it is, you get a knock!) but takes a measurable amount of time. The [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > time for complete combustion) so an engine can have a high speed miss, > and run well at lower speeds. With that truck, you can only do it once... <g> (I had one of those 300 ci straight six engines in an f-150 once. Never needed to go over 3000 RPM! > I very rarely run it over 3000 >RPMs I kinda wish I had a six. Mine is a 302 V8. It still sucks gas even with a with a new tune up. Luckly I only put around 1K or less a year on it now. Only drive it when the weather is really nasty or I need to haul somthing or simply to run the old gas out so I can put in fresh now and then. Ride the bike during dry summer days and the Mazda Tribute for the rest. The only reason I keep it is because its paid for and its proven to be very reliable. > With that truck, you can only do it once... <g> (I had one of those > 300 ci straight six engines in an f-150 once. Never needed to go over > 3000 RPM! > > > I very rarely run it over 3000 > >RPMs If a plug doesn't fire well, it is possible that on some revolutions of the engine the cylinder won't fire, or fires poorly. Not enough for you to feel, but enough to affect fuel mileage (actually performance, the fuel mileage hit is your fault as you try to make up for the performance hit! <g>) >I never did quite understand how worn plugs and stuff hurt fuel economy >unless a cylinder is dead. I dont understand how it controls how much fuel >goes into the engine. If you always press the accelerator to the floor when |
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