cleaning a spark plug

[KTA]

how do you properly clean a spark plug . . . . i was playing with my carb a little today, and in the process fouled a plug. i took it out, sprayed it with some simple green, wipped it off as much as i could and put it back in. It started but died immediatly. So i took it out again, soaked it in some heavy duty degreaser, wipped it with a soft wire brush, dried it and put it in.. Doesn't fire at all. . . . . . how do you properly do it?.

 

[dell30rb]

Actually, I heat mine up with a bernz-o-matic propane torch... and use some carb cleaner too. That works for me

 

[OKKX'er]

It's not really worth reusing a plug. keep a few on hand and just use a new one. You don't want the cleaned one to get you half-way up a slick, muddy, rooty hill and then foul again.

 

[KTA]

yeah... i usually keep a couple on hand, but it's my last one, and the shop is closed today... . i want to ride!

 

[OKKX'er]

that has never, never happened to me! Run some emery cloth through the spark path and clean it well with brake cleaner.

 

[dell30rb]

yeah.. Like I only have one plug for the ct70.. and it fouls every once in awhile, so i just heat her up

 

[G. Gearloose]

Wire brush is the worse thing to do, it imbeds metallic paticles into the ceramic insulator, increasing its surface conductivity.
If your stuck, torch it, but best to Go New.

 

[CO Dan]

I use a little sand blaster I got from JC Whitney (about $8). It's a POS but does the job, then I blast it with lots of brake cleaner.

Works great, used to do it on my street bike too.

 

[dave186]

KTA, it sounds to me like your plug is toast. If it fired up and died, it either fouled again and you have carb problems, or the plug is just toast.

 

[KTA]

well.. . .i gave it one last try.. .. heated it up, soaked it in brake cleaner... started.. ..ran poorly for about 10 seconds and died.... . oh well, guess ill wait till tomorrow.

 

[250motoxer]

I have the same cleaner as mentioned above... mini sand blaster. Works very well, but never quite like new. Cleaned sparks plugs seem to work better for me in a four stroke engine... Still worth the investment if you already have an air compressor. I have had my plug cleaner for about ten years. Works as new.. :)

 

[Einstein]

what works really well is an oxy-acetalyne (sp) torch :p that'll get all that carbon off :)

 

[Jaybird]

I've heard it all now.