How to clean a spark plug ? [ carbon coated ]

[22dog22]

Have a set of NGK plugs loaded with carbon build up,[ poor ignition power], have used a wire brush to remove most of the build up. need to clean out, up inside the cone area. looking for way with base items [ not sand blaster] simple hand tools, cleaners.

 

[toolmanmike]

I'd screw in a new set of plugs.Wire brush and a spark plug cleaner (sand blaster) are the only things I know. Soak them in carbon blaster?

 

[halifaxhops]

Blaster. They used

to have CHEAP SPARK PLUG BLASTER AT THE PARTS STORES NO IDEA IF THEY STILL DO.

 

[Oldmanmopar]

You will never clean them where they will work efficiently again. That carbon seats between the wedge in the porcelain and the steel and shorts the plug. We race 2 strokes for many years. Once a plug is shorted with oil and carbon they are junk. Cleaning them will get you a lap or 2 or to the store to get a new set. And the plug cleaner? We have one and it ruined more plugs then it saved. Media wedged in the plug is worse then oil and carbon.

 

[Professor Fate]

Well, you could use $5 of carb cleaner to try to save a $2 spark plug... Jus' sayin'.

 

[remytherat]

MAPP gas can work. But just get new plugs.

 

[Bewy]

Clean them in lacquer thinners & let dry. They will work fine.............

BUT you need to find out why they carboned up in the first place....& fix that.

Once the problem is fixed, any remaining residue on the plugs will burn off by driving the car.