How to Clean Spark Plugs Well

Compared with accessories such as oil filter and air filter, we often ignore spark plugs. Spark plugs are equivalent to lighters when smoking. If the "lighter" cannot ignite, the car cannot start. Once there is a problem with the spark plug, the overall performance of the vehicle will be affected, so spark plugs must be maintained regularly. How to Clean Spark Plugs Well? Let me tell you.

How Do Spark Plug Work

Spark plugs are components in the gasoline engine ignition system that introduce high voltage current into the cylinder to generate electric sparks to ignite the combustible mixture. The operation of the automobile engine requires the combustion of fuel, and the electric sparks that ignite the fuel are generated by the spark plugs, so the quality of the spark plugs affects the working effect of the engine.

The most important influencing factor is the gap between the spark plug electrodes. If the gap is too small, the spark is weak and it is easy to leak electricity due to carbon deposits; if the gap is too large, the required breakdown voltage increases, the engine is difficult to start, and it is easy to "misfire" at high speeds.

Do the Spark Plug Still Be Used After Cleaning

Whether the spark plug can be used depends mainly on the working condition of the spark plug, that is, the sparking condition. The gap of the spark plug and the quality of the electrode determine the sparking condition.

1. Spark plugs with black carbon attached

When there is black carbon attached, use a fine metal wire to scrape the attachment. If it is easy to scrape off, it means that the attachment is carbon deposits produced when the mixture is burned. After cleaning, the performance of the spark plug can be restored. If there is no reason for the above abnormal situation, but the spark plug is still blackened, it means that it is caused by improper vehicle use conditions and improper spark plug calorific value. It should be replaced immediately with a spark plug with a suitable calorific value.

2. Spark plugs in a black and wet state

The cause is excessive inhalation of an overly rich mixture; inhalation of an overly rich mixture due to blockage of the air filter element; or the calorific value of the spark plug is too high. If the excessive inhalation of an overly rich mixture causes the spark plug to dry, its performance can be restored.

3. Spark plugs with insulators burnt white or partially burnt

This situation is caused by overheating of the electrode parts. The reason is that the cooling system is abnormal and the mixture is too lean. If overheating still occurs without the above abnormalities, it is caused by improper driving conditions and spark plug heat value. Spark plugs with high heat value should be replaced immediately.

What Cause My Spark Plugs Dirty

The main reasons for serious carbon deposits or oil stains on spark plugs are:

The operating temperature of the spark plug is too low or the combustible mixture is too rich.

Experiments have shown that when the operating temperature of the spark plug is lower than 450℃, the carbon deposits or oil stains on the skirt of the insulator cannot be burned off, that is, self-cleaning cannot be guaranteed. In other words, when the combustible mixture is too rich, the fuel cannot be fully burned, causing a large amount of free carbon and oil stains to deposit on the skirt of the insulator, forming serious carbon deposits or oil stains. In addition, when the engine is idling for a long time, the gasoline concentration in the combustible mixture is too high, which can also cause serious carbon deposits or oil stains on the spark plug.

In addition to seasonal factors, there are other reasons for spark plug carbon deposition:

Engine Idling and Carbon Buildup

Long-term idling of the engine. When the engine is idling, the mixture is rich and the combustion is incomplete. At the same time, the engine cannot effectively use the exhaust inertia to exhaust, resulting in an increase in residual exhaust gas in the cylinder, and a large amount of accumulation on the spark plug, causing excessive carbon deposition on the spark plug.

Piston and Cylinder Wear

Excessive wear between the piston and the cylinder wall. When the piston and the cylinder are excessively worn, it will not only cause poor cylinder compression, but also cause the crankcase lubricating oil to rise. In this case, not only will the cylinder combustion heat value be reduced due to poor engine compression, causing the spark plug to be unable to self-clean; at the same time, the lubricating oil that rises from the crankcase cannot fully participate in the combustion, and is also deposited on the spark plug, forming carbon deposition.

Damaged Valve Oil Seal

Damage to the valve oil seal. When the valve oil seal of the engine is damaged, it will cause the lubricating oil to flow into the cylinder. When the lubricating oil leaks into the cylinder due to the damage of the valve seal, it not only wastes the lubricating oil, but also accelerates the fouling of the spark plug due to the poor volatility of the lubricating oil, incomplete combustion and the large amount of colloid in the lubricating oil. When the spark plug is seriously carbonized and oily, it can usually continue to be used after cleaning, but the effect and life span will be reduced.

How to Clean Spark Plugs Well

After the above judgment, it can be basically determined that the spark plug can be used normally, so let's start cleaning the spark plug.

Tools

• nozzle barrel
• carburetor cleaning fluid
• Brush
• air gun

What can be used to clean spark plugs

When there are carbon deposits, oil deposits, etc. on the spark plug, you can soak it in gasoline, kerosene, or acetone solvent. After the carbon deposits soften, use a non-metallic brush to clean the carbon deposits on the electrode and in the porcelain core and shell cavity, and blow it dry with compressed air. Do not scrape it with a knife, grind it with sandpaper, or burn it with gasoline to avoid damaging the electrode and porcelain insulator.

Steps by Steps: How to Clean Spark Plugs Well

a. Remove the nozzle (turn off the engine first and blow away the dust on the engine to prevent dust from falling into the cylinder);

b. Check the working condition of the spark plug;

c. Spray the carburetor cleaning fluid into the bottle, pay attention to the angle, do not let it splash out, just soak the nozzle and soak for 3-5 minutes;

d. Take it out and brush it with a brush while spraying it with carburetor cleaning fluid;

e. Blow it dry with an air gun or dry it in the air;

f. Reinstall the spark plug on the engine;

g. Ignition test drive to check the working condition.

What Brand of Spark Plug is Best

I have listed these top brands to provide good quality spark plugs for your auto.

1. Bosch

mainly used in German series cars; Bosch Group is a well-known multinational company that is one of the world's top 500 companies. Bosch Group has become the world's most professional automotive technology research and development institution and the largest automotive parts manufacturer.

Bosch's Spark Plugs are engineered to deliver both high performance and long life, representing advanced OE spark plug technology.

2. Eyquem

Eyquem’s spark plugs were founded in 1899, with a century of technological experience in manufacturing spark plugs and electrical products, and backed by the financial and technical support of the SAGEM Group, a large French automotive electronic equipment manufacturer. Currently, it has been selected as an original equipment kit by several of the largest European car manufacturers, covering 100% of French car brands and more than 95% of European brands.

3. NGK

NGK’s spark plugs mainly used in Japanese cars (Nissan, etc.); NGK is the abbreviation of Japan Special Ceramics Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Nagoya, Japan), which was founded in 1936. It is mainly engaged in the sales of spark plugs, automobile exhaust filters, oxygen sensors and other products.

4. AC Delco

AC Delco is produced by General Motors and is mainly used in General Motors' cars. AC Delco was formed in 1908 by the merger of many outstanding auto parts manufacturers. General Motors is the world's largest auto manufacturer and also the world's largest auto parts purchaser and supplier. As a parts and service brand, ACDelco's advantage is that it is a trustworthy brand with a complete product line. At the same time, it is also a full-series brand suitable for all kinds of different models.

5.Denso

Established in 1949, DENSO CORPORATION is a Japanese corporation that manufactures and supplies automotive solutions. Its headquarters are in Kariya, Aichi, Japan. As a Tier 1 automotive supplier, the firm supplies a variety of international automakers and manufacturers with thermal, powertrain, mobility, electrification, and electronic systems. Air conditioners, radiators, alternators, motors, starters, and other vehicle parts are all part of its wide range of products.

Spark Plug Distributor

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FAQ

Here are some questions that are related to spark plugs.

How long is the service life of spark plugs

The replacement cycle of ordinary spark plugs is 20,000 kilometers;

The replacement cycle of single platinum spark plugs is 50,000 to 80,000 kilometers;

The replacement cycle of iridium spark plugs is 50,000 kilometers;

The replacement cycle of iridium platinum spark plugs is 80,000 to 100,000 kilometers;

The replacement cycle of double iridium spark plugs is theoretically more than 100,000 kilometers.

How long can the spark plug be used after cleaning

It depends on the working condition of the spark plug. Most vehicles replace the spark plug every 30,000 kilometers (some 60,000-80,000 kilometers), because the spark plug electrode will be consumed and the gap will become wider after the spark plug jumps for a long time. Therefore, the spark plug can continue to be used after cleaning, but it depends on the spark plug gap and the working condition of the spark plug.