Here’s How To Clean Spark Plugs
Spark Plug by Nazly Ahmed — CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
For spark plugs to work properly, they must be clean. If you have dirt caked up in the crevices, the voltage will be way too high and you likely will not be able to turn on your car.
That’s why when you know how to clean spark plugs, you can deal with a faulty engine quickly and get by cleaning or replacing them. Get your vehicle back up and running and change spark plugs out in little to no time at all following our step-by-step guide.
Before you Begin
Before handling an engine, make sure that you take a look at your engine manual. You should check that it is safe to come in direct contact with your spark plugs to avoid the possibility of an injury. Also, never mess with spark plugs while your engine is running, avoiding the risk of electric shock.
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What Are Spark Plugs?
Though they are small, spark plugs are extremely important for your vehicle to function properly. They are responsible for the creation of an explosion caused by a mixture of air and fuel.
This explosion comes with enough energy to strike up an electrical current that jumps between closely placed wires. All of this happens in a matter of seconds when you turn the key, starting up your engine, and giving it the power to start moving your vehicle.
How Often Should You Check Spark Plugs?
If your car won’t start or there seems to be a backfire, then spark plugs could be the cause. Even if your car is still starting up, you should check out your spark plugs every once in a while to check for cleanliness and overall function.
It’s estimated that your spark plugs should be changed about every 20,000 to 40,000 miles. Of course, the more you use your vehicle the more often they’ll need replacing.
How to Check Them
Unfortunately, you can’t determine the health of your spark plugs just by looking at them. Instead, you need to closely inspect them, looking for signs that they may need replacing. To make sure they’re working properly, follow these three steps.
1. Examine
To really get to the bottom of your spark plug issues, you’ll need to examine them thoroughly. This means looking at them from all sides and checking for a build-up of dust or carbon. Examining your spark plugs is not only helps to get them working again but also checking for underlying issues that could damage your vehicle.
2. Check Wiring
Because there is wiring involved, you could check spark plug health with a multimeter. This tool will measure resistance in the plugs and tell whether your wiring is up to par or having difficulty delivering voltage to the right places.
3. Check the Spark
You can get a look at the color of the spark produced by removing spark plugs and keeping them plugged and grounded to your vehicle frame. Once that’s set up, start your car and take a look at the color your spark is emitting. You can decode the color with the guide below.
- Blue is the color you want to see.
- Yellow means it’s time to change
- No spark means that your spark plugs are not working
After determining the cause, you might realize that your spark plugs just need a good scrub. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of how to clean spark plugs that’s quick and easy.
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How to Clean Spark Plugs
When you know how to clean spark plugs, you’ll save time and money and keep your engine running in optimal shape. It takes under 20 minutes and requires a minimum number of tools so anyone can get to scrubbing. To start, you’ll need a small brush (wire brush is best), A spark plug wrench, a spark plug gap tool, and a bit of rubbing alcohol. Then, follow these four simple steps.
- Remove the covering that’s on top of the spark plug and examine it. Pay close attention to the tip of the plug.
- Drench the tip with rubbing alcohol and let it sit for a few minutes.
3. Take your metal brush and scrub the tip until it’s clean, wiping off any debris with a clean rag.
- If additional cleaning is necessary, you can use a knife to peel away caked-up oil or scrape off other build-ups.
After you clean your spark plugs, simply let them air dry until they are free of any moisture before reinstalling.
Changing or Reinstalling Spark Plugs
If you find that your spark plugs need much more than a cleaning, you can also follow these steps to change them. Reinstallation or changing is something that you can do on your own without professional help. However, if you have doubts, don’t hesitate to call a trusted mechanic that can get the job done safely. To change or reinstall, follow these steps.
- Thread spark plug back into the engine using your fingers.
- Push down on the rubber boot and wiggle until it’s securely attached
- add covering to the top if they were there before.
- Test your work by turning on your engine.
If your engine starts up and things run smoothly then, you’ve properly replaced your spark plugs. If your vehicle does not turn on, you may need to retry or tighten your work, making sure that your engine is completely off before you do so.
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Keep Spark Plugs Clean for A Smooth Ride
Just like any other parts of your vehicle, your spark plugs need a little TLC every once in a while. If you notice your engine misfiring, mishaps while accelerating, or you’ve had the same plugs for 20,000 to 40,000 miles, it may be time to replace them. Before changing everything out, follow our guide on how to clean spark plugs. If you’ve cleaned them thoroughly and your engine still will not start, they probably need replacing.
Always check your manual before buying any old spark plugs and make sure to get those that are compatible with your car.
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