How do you clean fouled plugs?

[GiJOr33]

I've got a set of platinum plugs and was told not to use fine sand paper on the firing tip as this knocks off the platinum tip and also not use a wire brush. So if you have fouled plugs how do you clean them? is there a solvent i can use or something (perhaps just petrol)?

I'm having missfiring problems as the car is running really rich and the car gets almost undrivable after a while so i'd like to clean the current fouling off it to give it a fresh start for when i have to drive it back to the mechanic.

Cheers,

Andrew

[rb25]

I think you should really buy new plugs, especially if they are old. Once they have fouled, they're pretty much stuffed.

-rb25

[GiJOr33]

these are 20km old... brand new, not 20,000km. I had them put in when tuned on tuesday and the car is running way too rich and they have fouled up. So rather than spend another $100 i'd prefer to clean them

[knore]

If they are fouling in 20km i would be VERY worried

More concerned with fixing the problem then cleaning the plugs thats for sure

[GiJOr33]

Yeah... see this thread re my main problem!

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/sh...02&goto=newpost

[PLYNX]

Hey GiJOr33

Might be a bit late now but there used to be small spark plug cleaners avialable that ran off your battery. These have a small sand blasting mechanism in them containing a very fine abrasive grit in them(zircon sand i think). I know cause i have one and the work a treat on platinium tiped plugs. I not long ago went through what you went through cause i have a big problem with throwing out perfectly good $26 plugs at a throw.

Hope this helps and contact me if you got any questions

Plynx

[PLYNX]

Hey GiJOr33

Might be a bit late now but there used to be small spark plug cleaners avialable that ran off your battery. These have a small sand blasting mechanism in them containing a very fine abrasive grit in them(zircon sand i think). I know cause i have one and the work a treat on platinium tiped plugs. I not long ago went through what you went through cause i have a big problem with throwing out perfectly good $26 plugs at a throw.

Hope this helps and contact me if you got any questions

Plynx

[davehoos]

fowled plug will clean up if heated.also if dropped in a stong cleaner.

normall put them into a pintara or a motor bike with twin plugs.or an old very reliable car that loves crook plugs.

with new cars on a car yard they get fowled so we put a old plug in to warm up the engine after a quick wipe or over night on bench the plugs are put into the hot motor with a air gap in the leads[not easy on skyline] to over load the coil so when it does spark it is at a higher temp.

[GiJOr33]

well i cleaned them on the wire brush wheel... very carefully with the platinum plugs and then just swished them around in some petrol.

[Jolinator]

i have access to one of those abrasive sparkplug cleaners, im thinking of doing my plugs, just wondering if its safe to use on platinums ?

[Craved]

i would have used carbie cleaner or something similar -- that stuff works mad!

[GiJOr33]

yeah i might go and get some actually. There's a fair few things you can use carby cleaner for! It leaves no residue doesn't it, like electrical contact cleaner or nulon brake cleaner?

[Craved]

as far as i know it doesn't leave a residue -- it's flammable anyway so it'll burn off when you turn it over!