Yes, you can clean an old, fouled plug. However, it's best to opt for a spark plug replacement in most cases. That's because an old spark plug won't perform as well as a new spark plug. After all, electricity discharges best from sharp edges that only a new plug can have.
Spark plugs are made to be self-cleaning. The heat generated by high engine temperatures allows the spark plugs to burn off anything that may be covering them.
Start with the fouled spark plug possibility. Try clearing the plugs by running your engine up to 2000 RPM on both mags leaning to about 50 RPM lean of peak (continue to lean until you maximize RPM, then lean further until you lose about 50 RPM).
Technically, yes, you can clean spark plugs, however, in most cases it's not worth it.
If your spark plugs become dirty or fouled, it can affect how your engine runs. A fouled or bad spark plug is a plug that has become covered with a substance like oil, fuel or carbon or one that is blistered from running too hot. Driving with fouled or bad spark plugs can cause a host of problems for your engine.
Spark plugs remain among the most critical components of the internal combustion system. Therefore, if you have fouled plug, there is no way for fuel to ignite in the chamber, and you will have trouble starting your vehicle.
WD-40 Multi-use Product is ideal for cleaning spark plugs. Spray WD-40 Multi-use Product on a microfiber cloth and rub over the spark plug. You can even spray WD-40 directly on the spark plug & then wipe it down using a soft, clean cloth.
A spark plug usually lasts about 30,000 miles, but cleaning them and maintaining them periodically lets your engine perform better and increases your plugs' lifespan. If you see rust, carbon, gunk, dust, or any type of buildup during the inspection, it may be time to clean them.
You can clean a fouled spark plug and reuse it, but it might not function as well after that. If your spark plug is too worn or dirty to clean easily, you'll need to replace it.
Found in many passenger vehicles, hot spark plugs have more insulation to transfer the heat slowly, which keeps the temperature high enough to burn off carbon deposits and avoid premature fouling. This helps allow for more time between spark plug changes.
Since platinum is harder, it holds its sharp edge much longer than a conventional spark plug, up to 100,000 miles. Longevity is a key advantage of platinum spark plugs. Another advantage of platinum spark plugs is that they run a little hotter, which burns deposits off the spark plug better and helps prevent fouling.
Blow Torch Method
A popular method for cleaning fouled spark plugs, particularly gas or oil-fouled plugs, is with a lighter or torch. Because of the extreme heat that can be generated, it isn't always the wisest or most uniform method to clean a spark plug.
Soft, black, sooty dry deposits on plug indicate carbon fouling. Carbon fouling is an indication of a rich air-fuel mixture, weak ignition, or improper heat range (too cold). Carbon deposits are conductive and can create a path for spark plug misfire.
A wet spark plug likely means that it hasn't been firing due to engine flooding or a bad ignition cable. Dirt or moisture on the outside of the spark plug that provides a conductive path to ground, or an internal crack in the spark plug's ceramic insulator that shorts the plug to ground also can be the culprit.
Ideally, you should clean around the opening of the hole with canned air and a cloth whenever you change a plug. That should prevent oil or debris from getting in there in the first place. Once the hole itself is dirty, the job becomes trickier. You'll need specialized tools to clean the plug hole.
Tighten the spark plug finger-tight until the gasket reaches the cylinder head, then tighten about ½ – ⅔ turn more with a spark plug wrench.
It is the same process if you're curious about cleaning spark plugs with vinegar or petrol. With a wire brush, remove the carbon deposits from the plugs and soak the plugs in vinegar or petrol for a few seconds to remove the accumulated carbon deposits.
Ordinary copper and nickel spark plugs should be changed every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, unless otherwise suggested by the spark plug manufacturer. Platinum and iridium spark plugs tend to last longer than standard copper and nickel spark plugs. Expect to change them every 60,000 to 150,000 miles unless otherwise noted.
A brake cleaner can clean many car parts — including spark plugs. Spray the brake cleaner on the plug, including threads and spark plug holes. Then wipe it off with a clean cloth to remove any remaining gunk. If need be, you can use the brake cleaner and wire brush collectively to deal with stubborn filth.
To safely clean a spark plug, you should use a wire brush or spray-on plug cleaner specifically designed for this ignition part. You can also use a sturdy knife to scrape off tough deposits. Note: NEVER clean a spark plug with a shot blaster or abrasives.
Crank the Ignition and Inspect for Spark Have someone turn the ignition so that you can inspect the plug. Make sure the spark is strong and blue in color. If the spark is weak and dull orange, it's likely that it's not strong enough to ignite the engine's air and fuel mixture.
Malfunctioning spark plugs can result in increased fuel consumption and emissions because of incomplete combustion. The lack of proper acceleration is another sign of faulty spark plugs in a car. This causes the engine to not respond and struggle to increase speeds when the accelerator pedal is depressed.