How to clean spark plugs at home
Content
Spark plugs can be cleaned with liquids containing phosphoric acid. Any carbonated water is suitable for processing, but Coca-Cola gives the best effect. You can clean the soot with the same Dimexide ointment, which is in any pharmacy. The electrodes are immersed entirely in a jar with the agent for half an hour. Organic plaque "Dimexide" is completely removed, you just need to rinse and dry the candle.
When trying to start the car, the flooded surfaces in the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine are usually coated. Cleaning spark plugs at home restores normal engine performance. But electrodes made of some materials do not withstand abrasive and chemical exposure.
Top 5 Ways to Clean Your Spark Plugs at Home
The device for sparking in the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine has a non-separable design. It works without replacement for a long time and, if it is operated correctly, carbon deposits do not form on the electrodes. Candles often fail due to changes in the thickness of the gap over time.
Cleaning spark plugs
Five popular methods for cleaning carbon deposits:
- household chemicals;
- fine-grained sandpaper;
- ammonium acetate solution;
- sandblasting;
- local heating to a high temperature.
In addition to those listed, there are other exotic methods for cleaning plaque on electrodes at home: Dimexide ointment and sweet soda. Refurbished spark plugs continue to function normally until worn out. Platinum or iridium electrodes must not be cleaned.
Household chemicals
By the motorist himself, plaque can be removed with simple improvised materials. Affordable plaque removers are available in any kitchen.
Household chemicals for cleaning electrodes:
- dishwashing gels;
- sanitary liquids for limescale removal;
- rust converters.
Before cleaning the spark plugs, WD-40 should be applied to loosen the coating layer. A good result is given by means for processing plumbing from lime deposits. Candles need to withstand 30-60 minutes in the solution, then gently clean the plaque from the electrodes with a soft brush.
Sand paper
The processing method is rather rough, but allows you to quickly clean and restore the candle. The abrasive worsens the condition of the electrode surface, hard-to-remove deposits can accumulate on irregularities. The spark is off-center and ignites the fuel mixture worse. Motorists say in the video that candles with iridium and platinum electrodes cannot be cleaned with sandpaper.
Flushing spark plugs
Usually abrasive treatment is used in emergency cases. Clean the electrodes using fine sanding paper. The authors of articles and videos for motorists advise not to operate the candles for a long time after any rough processing, it is faster to replace them with new ones.
Acetic acid ammonium
Treatment of carbon deposits on the electrodes with a hot 20% acetate solution gives a good result. The liquid is toxic, work at home is carried out in a ventilated area. Before cleaning the spark plugs from soot, the surface is degreased and dried well.
Plaque lags behind in a solution of ammonium acetate in 20-30 minutes. Then it is necessary to clean the candles with a brush and rinse in running water. Before installation, you need to measure and adjust the gap between the electrodes.
Processing by hand with a drill in the sand
Abrasive cleaning can be carried out automatically with compressed air devices. But at home, it is impossible to remove plaque from candles in this way. To do the cleansing of soot with sand with their own hands, motorists use a household electric drill.
Cleaning spark plugs at home
It is necessary to fill half the cylindrical container, install a spark plug in the cartridge. Immerse the electrodes in the sand, turn on the drill at low speed. Repeat the operation until the soot is completely cleaned. A product with an iridium or platinum coating cannot be processed in this way. The reason is that the damaged surface of the electrodes will lose its refractory properties.
Thermal method
A simple and effective way to clean spark plugs from soot is by calcining at high temperature. The electrode heated to red color quickly burns organic plaque. The refractory refractory material easily withstands high temperatures.
The method is often used on new spark plugs that have been filled with gasoline or other liquids as a result of a breakdown of the machine's equipment. For cleaning at home, the flame of a gas burner is enough. The candle should not be overheated for a long time, and also cooled very quickly. The resulting scale on the surface must be removed with a brush.
other methods
Spark plugs can be cleaned with liquids containing phosphoric acid. Any carbonated water is suitable for processing, but Coca-Cola gives the best effect. You can clean the soot with the same Dimexide ointment, which is in any pharmacy. The electrodes are immersed entirely in a jar with the agent for half an hour. Organic plaque "Dimexide" is completely removed, you just need to rinse and dry the candle.
Nagar is cleaned at home with chemical active liquids: vinegar, acetone and hydrogen peroxide. The product must be left in the solution for a while, then dried and cleaned with a brush.
