How to restore the performance of spark plugs
Content
Specialists auto mechanics restore candles for an additional fee. They do it on special equipment, which ensures a good result. In addition to processing, in most cases, additional restoration of the interelectrode gap is required. To do this, use a wire of the required thickness and adjust the size of the gap, taking into account operational characteristics.
Spark plugs are needed to start a gasoline engine. With their help, a combustible mixture is ignited, as a result of which the piston movement is started. All elements of the system are constantly interacting, which leads to damage and wear. Is it possible to restore flooded spark plugs, how to do it - let's look at examples.
Is it possible to restore the performance of the spark plug
Many car owners know that faulty spark plugs can cause problems. These elements are an important part of the whole mechanism, without which the movement of the car is impossible. Cases where liquid is poured onto internal parts require an immediate response.
Cleaning spark plugs
Reasons for wear:
- The engine has been running at a critical level for a long time.
- Engine oil has been leaking into the combustion chamber for a long period.
- Unsuccessful start of the engine with the formation of a conductive layer on the insulator.
Sandblasting
The apparatus for cold abrasive processing of various surfaces, as practice shows, helps to clean even the oldest and non-working candles from carbon deposits. The method that is categorized as the most effective is not always suitable. To clean the surface, you need to access the sandblaster.
Step by step cleaning instructions:
- Bend the electrodes.
- Place the candle under a stream of sand.
- Rotate the part at different angles to clean hard-to-reach places.
- Restore the electrodes.
This method allows you to get a workable element that knocks out a blue spark and works without failure.
Ultrasonic cleaning
Another hardware method, when the candles are placed in a cleaning solution and subjected to ultrasonic treatment. Most often, this method is used at service stations, where there is special equipment.
Compared to sandblasting, sonication does not provide 100% carbon removal, but restores performance by 50%. After ultrasonic cleaning, you need to be prepared for the fact that the spark will be yellow.
Injector cleaner
The method is similar to ultrasonic treatment in terms of the mechanism of action. A quality cleaner is used as a base, which can be purchased in the department of special automotive products. Candles that have worked out their time are placed in a cleaner solution, after a day the result is evaluated. As a rule, a chemical reaction begins between the soot particles and the active ingredients of the cleaner, which leads to the absorption of unwanted elements.
Plumbing cleaners
Another soaking option is the use of plumbing products. These products belong to the category of strong household chemicals. These are professional cleaners used on an industrial scale.
Candles are soaked in a solution or concentrate, after a day they are wiped with a brush, removing split soot particles.
Car spark plug cleaning
Boiling in water with powder
This method is called "grandfather". It works only 40-60%. The essence of the reception is digestion in water with washing powder for 1,5 hours.
Features of the procedure:
- It is necessary to direct the candle to the center of boiling.
- Periodically clean the carbon deposits from the surface with an old toothbrush.
- It is impossible to leave the details to be boiled out without control, as this will not give results.
Washing powder will not damage the protective layer of the electrode, but it does not guarantee deep cleaning from carbon deposits. Most likely, after the digestion session, the candle will strike a yellow spark, while there will be breakdowns in the work.
Cleaning in a car workshop
Specialists auto mechanics restore candles for an additional fee. They do it on special equipment, which ensures a good result. In addition to processing, in most cases, additional restoration of the interelectrode gap is required. To do this, use a wire of the required thickness and adjust the size of the gap, taking into account operational characteristics.
Do-it-yourself candle cleaning
At home, candles with soot are cleaned in various improvised ways.
For cleaning use:
- soda ("Coca-Cola", "Sprite");
- nail polish remover or pure acetone;
- dishwashing detergents.
Most often, the elements are soaked for several hours, then they clean off the layer of dirt with a toothbrush. All of these methods cannot be called 100% effective. The quality of the result depends on the initial state of the candle itself. Sometimes at home it is possible to achieve restoration of working capacity by 70-80%.
Flushing spark plugs
Another proven method is sandpapering. This is a temporary technique that will allow you to use the candle for some more time. To achieve the effect, the part is treated with sandpaper from all sides, periodically changing the angle of position. Paper leaves scratches on the surface, so don't be surprised if after a few weeks of use, a cleaned candle begins to grow carbon deposits even faster.
The process of restoring the performance of candles takes a lot of time and effort.
If you want to return the parts to their original quality, then it is better to use the technique of hardware sandblasting. This is the only way that guarantees a blue spark. The use of other methods returns the marketable appearance, but does not eliminate breakdowns during the cutting of the charge.
