Spark plugs are essential components in petrol engines that enable the vehicle to run nicely and smoothly.
So it is crucial to keep the plugs clean to provide optimal performance. The way to avoid unnecessary replacements and keep them in good working condition is by cleaning them.
Cleaning spark plugs is one thing; knowing when they need cleaning is another. It is usually best to replace old and dirty spark plugs.
What if you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford to replace them with new ones? Then, cleaning will suffice. It can keep your vehicle running nice and smoothly again for a few thousand miles.
In this article, we’ll discuss at length how to clean spark plugs using a blow torch, abrasives, and spark plug cleaner tools. However, it is essential to know when a spark plug goes bad.
What are Spark Plugs?
Spark plugs create a spark of electricity that ignites the vehicle or power tool’s ignition. This electricity spark begins at the ignition coil.
It then travels to the inside of the combustion chamber. The spark will go across a small gap to ignite the fuel-air mixture, firing the pistons into motion and starting the vehicle.
Products You Need
For the DIYer, there are a handful of tools you’ll need as well as your preferred method for cleaning the spark plug. They include:
- A ratchet
- Spark plug sockets
- Torque wrench
- Pliers
- Compressed air
- Ignition cable boot pliers
- Spark plug gap gauge
- Anti-seize compound
- Spark plug boot grease
Once you’ve collected your tools and products, it’s time to get to work. Expect it to take between one and two hours to remove and clean each of your spark plugs.
Why Clean a Spark Plug?
A dirty spark plug can cause a range of problems, including:
- Reduced engine performance: A dirty spark plug can cause the engine to run rough, hesitate, or stall.
- Decreased fuel efficiency: A dirty spark plug can cause the engine to burn more fuel than necessary, leading to decreased fuel efficiency.
- Engine failure: In severe cases, a dirty spark plug can cause engine failure, which can be costly and time-consuming to repair.
Therefore, it is essential to clean the spark plug regularly to ensure optimal engine performance and fuel efficiency.
How To Clean Spark Plugs
Cleaning spark plugs is a mechanical task that every entry-level mechanic and DIYer can do effectively. In any case, there are various methods to clean spark sparks.
When planning on cleaning spark plugs, you need to remove them; first, there’s nothing like how to clean spark plugs without removing them. You need to access the plugs by removing them before choosing the method you want to use.
Removing Spark Plugs
Locate the spark plugs by tracing the ignition coil or spark plug wire. you find it challenging to locate the spark plugs in your vehicle, consult your owner manual – that’s the manufacturer’s blueprint.
Once you locate the spark plugs, clean the dirt and debris surrounding that area to prevent them from falling into the plug holes when removing the plugs. Ideally, I recommend blowing the dirt and debris away with compressed air.
If dirt or debris falls into the spark plug holes while taking off the plugs, it could cause catastrophic damages. When blowing off the junk with canned or compressed air, ensure you wear eye protection.
Remove the plug wires one at a time. This will help you put spark plug wires correctly to avoid engine stalling/backfiring and reduce the risks of something falling into the plug holes when you unscrew the plugs.
Removing all the plug wires simultaneously will not confuse you when reinstalling them. When removing high tension wires, hold it on the low boot firmly and gently pull it out.
If any of the cables prove stubborn to come out, hold it firmly and twist it a little to loosen up.
Get a spark plug socket and connect it to an extension and a ratchet handle. Put the plug socket in the spark plug hole and turn it counterclockwise to break free and unscrew the plug. The moment it’s free, remove the handle and unscrew it by hand.
Most spark plug sockets have rubber grommets that will grip the spark plugs and prevent them from falling when removing them out of the hole. When removing the spark plugs, watch out for debris and blow it off to avoid falling inside the cylinder head.
Method 1: Cleaning With Abrasive
Clean the electrodes with 220-grit sandpaper
There’s always a small pole sticking out of the end of a spark plug (the part that goes into the engine). It is known as an electrode. If it has carbon deposits or it’s discolored, get a piece of sandpaper and clean it gently until there’s no piece of carbon left on it.
Keep sandpapering the electrode until it looks like bare metal. It is advisable to put on eye protection while sanding. Sandpaper is one of the best spark plug cleaners in the market.
Clean the carbon deposits with a file
Sandpaper should be able to do the trick, but if it doesn’t, consider filling off the stubborn deposits with a file. Place the file on the gap between the plug body and the electrode and slide it back and forth.
Clean the threads with a wire brush
There are chances that you have grimes and oils on the plug threads. If there’s oil on them, it’s an indication of oil in spark plug holes. Clean the spark plug holes before reinstalling the plugs.
Brush the plugs from a perpendicular angle to easily remove the deposits and debris on the thread. Then, turn and brush the plugs from a different angle.
Ensure you wear hand gloves when cleaning plugs with a wire brush to avoid poking yourself. The thread doesn’t have to retain its color to work, but you need to remove all the deposits.
Use carb cleaner
Carb cleaners are available in nearby auto shops and online stores like Walmart, eBay, and Amazon.
If you’re an entry-level mechanic, you may be wondering how to clean spark plugs with a car cleaner. Carb cleaners are used to clean carbon deposits, buildup, dirt, and junk on several auto parts effectively.
To clean with carb cleaner, place the spark plug on a clean surface like a vice and spray the cleaner on it. After spraying the cleaner, wipe it with a clean towel. Aside from cleaning, it dries quickly and leaves you with clean spark plugs.
If the carbon deposits prove stubborn to clean, use a wire brush and a carb cleaner. Once you’re done, wipe the plug thoroughly with a clean towel or rag to dry off the carb cleaner on it.
Repeat the process on all the spark plugs simultaneously. The first is to clean, then reinstall and socket the lead wire or ignition into that cylinder.
If you’re asking how to clean spark plugs with vinegar or wondering how to clean spark plugs with petrol, the process is similar to carb cleaner.
It requires brushing off the carbon deposits on the plugs with a wire brush and soaking the plugs with vinegar or petrol for a few seconds.
Method 2: Using Blow Torch
A blow torch will make the spark plugs extremely hot. Hence, you’ll need to extend the length of the plugs by holding them with a plier to prevent burning your hand.
Hold the plugs with pliers on the end the ignition coil connects to. Hold the plug firmly and don’t squeeze it to avoid causing damage to the plug. The plier should only act as an extension. A bench vice is a better alternative to pliers.
Turn on the knob on your propane touch or gas, then place the ignition source in front of the nozzle or hit the ignition button. This will ignite and keep it burning. Turn the torch up until it starts generating blue flames.
The touch will burn off all the junk, debris, and oil on the spark plugs. Don’t be afraid of damaging the plugs; they’ll survive the heat without issues. Keep burning the plug while rotating it until the electrode and the end of the spark plug is glowing red.
Do not allow anything to distract you, and don’t let the torch burn anything else (burn only the threaded portion of the plugs). The burning process may take several minutes, depending on your torch and how hot it gets.
Allow the spark plugs to cool before holding them with your fingers. The plugs need to be cool before using them.
You must be careful when dealing with spark plugs and a blow torch; the spark plugs will return to their standard color long before it becomes cool. To avoid burning off your hand, allow each plug to stay for 5 minutes before trying to reinstall it.
Remember, I asked you to clean the spark plugs simultaneously. When a spark plug is cool, reinstall it and plug in the ignition coils or high tension wire before moving to another one. Continue this process until you clean all of them. Do not clean one and leave others.
Method 3: Using Spark Plug Cleaner Tool
Another proven effective method of cleaning spark plugs is using a spark plug cleaning machine. The cleaner tool is designed to feed in air and sandblasts the spark plugs. This tool is pretty handy.
To use this tool, fix the airbag and tighten the clip, then plug in the air supply. Push down the button on the machine, socket the spark plug, and switch the mechanism to sandblasting.
Keep shaking the plug so the cleaning tool will blast off all carbon buildup on it. When you are done with the blasting, switch the machine to air and blow off the debris on the plug.
I still recommend you blow the spark plugs with an air supply. You wouldn’t want debris to fall inside your cylinders.
Reinstalling The Spark Plugs
Use a gap tool to correct the gap between the plug and the electrode
Check your vehicle’s owner or service manual to find the exact gap measurement for your spark plugs in millimeters. Then, insert a gap tool into the space between the spark plug’s body and the electrode that sticks out of it.
Use the tool to measure the gap, then either pry the electrode further from the body to increase the gap or press it closer to the body to decrease it until the gap matches the vehicle’s specifications.
- You should be able to press the electrode out or squeeze it closer to the body simply by applying pressure on it using the gap tool.
- You can purchase a spark plug “gapper” or gap tool at any auto parts store.
- If you are unable to find the gap specifications for your vehicle, try the manufacturer’s website.
Place the plug in the spark plug socket with the threads facing out
The spark plug socket has a rubber grommet that will hold the plug in place as you lower it down into the engine and make it easier to thread the plug once you have it in there.
- The threaded portion of the spark plug is the same end as the electrode. That end should be sticking out of the spark plug socket.
Insert the spark plug and turn it clockwise to seat it by hand
It’s important that you don’t cross-thread your spark plugs, which occurs when you forcefully tighten it even though it hasn’t seated properly in the engine. To avoid this, tighten the spark plug by hand using an extension connected to the spark plug socket.
- Keep screwing the spark plug in until it becomes snug.
- If the spark plug seems to be screwing in on an angle, unscrew it, pull it out, and start again so it seats evenly.
Tighten the spark plug using a socket wrench
Once the spark plug is snugly seated in place, connect a ratchet to the extension and finish tightening it. Make sure the spark plug is secure, but you don’t have to put too much force on it through the wrench.
- Over-tightening the spark plug could cause it to break inside the engine, so only apply enough pressure to ensure the spark plug is secure.
Reconnect the plug wire to the spark plug
Grip the plug wire by the boot near the end and press it firmly down onto the exposed end of the spark plug sticking out of the engine. You will hear an audible pop when the plug wire is firmly connected.
- If the wire doesn’t seat perfectly at first, twist it to the left and right as you press it down to help it pop into place.
- If you don’t hear it click or pop, the plug wire isn’t connected firmly enough yet and could pop off while driving.
Benefits of Clean Spark Plugs
- Improved Fuel Efficiency: Clean spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture effectively, leading to better combustion and fuel economy.
- Enhanced Engine Performance: When spark plugs are clean, the engine runs smoother with increased power output. This results in quicker acceleration and better throttle response.
- Reduced Emissions: Clean spark plugs contribute to complete combustion, minimizing harmful emissions and benefiting the environment.
- Extended Lifespan: Regular cleaning keeps spark plugs in good condition, reducing the frequency of replacements and lowering maintenance costs.
- Prevention of Misfires: Addressing carbon buildup and grime prevents misfires, which can cause rough idling, decreased performance, and engine damage.
When Cleaning Isn’t Enough
Cleaning is only effective for light to moderate fouling. If spark plugs show signs of severe wear, oil fouling, or cracked porcelain insulators, replacement is the only reliable option. Always inspect plugs for electrode erosion, gap widening, and discoloration.
Tips and Precautions
When cleaning a spark plug, it is essential to follow some important tips and precautions:
- Always refer to your vehicle’s manual for specific instructions on cleaning the spark plug.
- Use the correct tools and materials for the job to avoid damaging the spark plug or surrounding engine components.
- Be gentle when handling the spark plug to avoid damaging it or the surrounding engine components.
- Use compressed air with a gentle touch to avoid damaging the spark plug or surrounding engine components.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials to clean the spark plug, as they can damage the spark plug or surrounding engine components.
What Chemicals Clean Spark Plugs?
If you are willing to clean spark plugs with specific chemicals, you can check the discussion below:
WD-40 is a well-known lubricant and penetrating oil to clean spark plugs. To use this:
- Spray a small amount of WD-40 on the spark plug’s electrodes and insulator.
- Allow it to penetrate and loosen any deposits, and then use a wire brush or compressed air to clean the spark plug.
WD-40 is also useable as a preventive measure to reduce the likelihood of future fouling by repelling moisture and inhibiting rust formation.
Acetone is a powerful solvent and it can effectively dissolve carbon deposits and varnish on spark plugs. To apply this follow the steps below:
- Dip the spark plug in a container of acetone or apply it using a small brush.
- Allow the acetone to work for a few minutes, and then use a wire brush or compressed air to clean the spark plug.
- Ensure proper ventilation and safety precautions when handling acetone.
It is essential to choose the best chemical depending on your specific needs and the level of deposits on your spark plugs. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and exercise safety precautions when working with chemicals.
Ultimately, proper cleaning of spark plugs can maintain engine performance and extend their life. Next, I will discuss whether spark plugs should be cleaned with petrol. Stay tuned.
Can Spark Plugs Be Cleaned With Petrol?
Many users are confused about using gasoline as a cleaner to clean spark plugs. But I would say you can use it without any confusion.
Petrol can effectively remove carbon deposits and gunk from spark plugs. Plus, it can improve the overall performance. It is a readily available and inexpensive cleaning option for those who want to do the maintenance themselves.
Cleaning spark plugs with petrol is possible, but you must apply it with caution. Maintain safety measures strictly to prevent accidents.
Remember, special spark plug cleaning solutions for a safer and potentially more effective cleaning process. Regular maintenance of your spark plugs will improve engine performance and fuel efficiency, so don’t neglect this crucial aspect of vehicle care.
How Long Do Spark Plugs Last?
Spark plugs play a vital role in the ignition system of your vehicle by creating the spark necessary for combustion. However, they are not designed to last indefinitely, and their lifespan depends on various factors.
On average, it generally lasts from 30,000 to 100,000 miles (48,000 to 160,000 kilometers) depending on the type of spark plug and the vehicle’s engine.
Although spark plug longevity is often specified by the manufacturer, it is essential to consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine the recommended replacement interval.
FAQs.
Q: Can a spark plug be cleaned and reused?
Yes, of course. A spark plug can be cleaned and reused; if not, what’s the need for this article?
In any case, today’s high-end spark plugs cannot be filled but can be slightly blasted and clean. Using a wire brush, wd40, or spark plug cleaner tool will do an excellent cleaning.
However, cleaned or blasted spark plugs cannot give the same efficiency as new ones. Given that high-quality work plugs like ruthenium, platinum, and Iridium spark plugs only cost a few dollars, getting a new spark plug won’t tear your pocket.
Q: Can you use wd40 to clean spark plugs?
Wd40 is produced to remove carbon deposits and fights moisture on several auto components like spark plugs and plug cables.
The acronym WD stands for water displacement. So, if any part of your system components is wet and you want to wipe off moisture, wd40 is the guy to use.
I know you will be wondering how to clean spark plugs with wd40. It’s as easy as using a brake cleaner. Loosen the spark plugs and place them on vice and spray the wd40 on it. Once you’re done with one side, turn the other side and clean it.
Q: Can you clean spark plugs without removing them?
You have to clean spark plug areas before taking off the plugs. However, cleaning a spark plug requires removing them to access the carbon buildup.
Q: How do you lubricate spark plugs?
It’s not all about applying grease on a spark plug, but how and where you use it counts. Since dielectric grease is an insulator, you need to apply it on the spark plugs alone sparingly.
Do not let it touch the metal connector on the boot. Take the grease with cotton wool and apply only a tiny amount.
Apply a thin layer of the electric grease inside the boot via a circular motion. For optimum protection, you can apply a thin layer of grease to the ceramic coating of the spark plugs.
Again, use it in the same circular motion. Make sure not to touch grease on the spark plug metal terminal.
Q: What grease do you need for spark plugs?
Spark plugs use a specific type of grease. It requires only dielectric grease, which is a protectant like car wax. Dielectric grease is also used on several car components like battery terminals, lightbulbs, and spark plug boots.
Final word
When cleaning or replacing old spark plugs, if you see oil on the spark plugs wires, ensure you clean the spark plug holes to get efficient performance.
You’ll also need to inspect the spark plug cables; a bad spark plug could be the reason you’re cleaning or replacing an old spark plug.
If it is the culprit and you fail to figure it out, you’ll end up getting the same result even after a replacement until you change the defective cable.
At this juncture, this article has provided sufficient information on how to clean spark plugs. The process is simple, fast, and accessible.