A usually accepted rule is to make sure the good spark plugs and threads are dry of any fluids or moisture, like water, before they are used in the engine. It reduces the risk of spark plug seizing.
Lubricate Spark Plugs & Other Parts
For part of your car repair and maintenance, you can use WD-40 to remove carbon residue, and keep moisture away from spark plugs and spark plug wires.
Dielectric grease is a simple compound of oil and silica filler that's very hydrophobic and is excellent at sealing out moisture and preventing corrosion.
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.
You run the risk of spraying dust, sand or solid gunk around the spark plug hole into the combustion chamber (which is inside the hole). This can potentially lead to cylinder wall damage. Make sure you don't install the spark plug too soon in case you decide to clean with carb spray.
Clean it by spraying your spark plug with brake cleaner, letting it soak for about 10 minutes, then wiping it with a clean cloth.
If you want a little more protection for the engine, you can also apply fogging oil to the cylinders behind the spark plugs. Just pull out every spark plug so you can spray the fogging oil onto each cylinder. Then put the spark plugs back.
Warning – Do NOT apply copper grease/slip or anti-seize to the plug threads, copper grease is only for used on old fashioned black spark plugs which don't feature a corrosion-resistant zinc plating.
Using anti-seize on spark plugs installed in aluminum cylinder heads was very common as the steel shells would seize in the aluminum. No longer necessary as modern spark plug coatings work as a releasing agent and should be installed dry.
Heat resistance: For high-temperature applications, rigid flange sealant gasket makers, anti-seize compounds composed of nickel, copper and aluminum, are the preferred choices. Additionally, both food and marine grade compounds resist heat well.
Product Details
This Sunex spark plug cleaner cleans all spark plugs and features a 2 way valve which allows for an abrasive blast or clean air. It uses silica as an abrasive to remove carbon build up and other materials. Compact for easy storage and fully guaranteed.
Yes, you can. If a engine wasn't running, say, for years you may want to put a little bit of oil through the spark plug holes to help lubricating the walls of the cylinders for the first startup.
The main difference between silicone spray and dry lubricant is that silicone spray is water repellent, whereas dry lubricant is not water repellent. Silicone Spray contains silicone, whereas dry lubricant contains PTFE.
DO NOT USE SILICONE SPRAY ON ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS, SWITCHES, RELAYS, ETC. There have been numerous reports that silicone spray can cause contact problems in switches, noted in multiple posts regarding automotive problems.
Silicone spray or powdered graphite are the most easily found lubricants, or Master Lock 2300D or 2305 lock lubricant should help the lock work more smoothly.
Can you use white lithium grease on spark plug wires? NO. Spark plug cables should remained clean and free of contaminants such as grease, oil, fuel, engine coolant, salt spray, etc. These will damage the insulation and eventually lead to failure.
Grease. Lubricating Oil. Soft soap/White petroleum jelly/Vaseline.