Cleaning Spark Plugs
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,765
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From: Newnan, GA
Cleaning Spark Plugs
My dad had a spark plug cleaner where you put in the spark plug attached an air hose, give it a blast or two of air and you had a very clean spark plug.
Because, I do not have this tool, I use a brass wire brush.
So, what do you guys use to clean the spark plugs, or do you just replace them.
Because, I do not have this tool, I use a brass wire brush.
So, what do you guys use to clean the spark plugs, or do you just replace them.
Last edited by Mongo1958; Jul 13, 2025 at 07:19 AM.
Popular Reply
Jul 15, 2025, 02:55 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
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From: West Central FL
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
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From: USA
These days, I just replace them when they need it.
Its only on old carbureted vehicles and the like that I can still sometimes find sooty or gummy spark plugs.
Trying to clear out the blasting media from deep in the plug was always a pain in the butt, and it frequently didnt clean well down in there.
Its only on old carbureted vehicles and the like that I can still sometimes find sooty or gummy spark plugs.
Trying to clear out the blasting media from deep in the plug was always a pain in the butt, and it frequently didnt clean well down in there.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,242
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From: west Michigan
I haven't had to deal with dirty or fouled spark plugs since my 2-stroke dirt bike days in the 1970s. We always used to bring a spare spark plug and a spark plug wrench when we rode. I tried cleaning dirty plugs with gasoline, a toothbrush, and an ice pick, but they seemed to foul faster when I re-used them. I read somewhere that blasting them in a spark plug cleaning machine would leave the surfaces rougher and more prone to corrosion, so I never went that route.
I don't miss the primitive engines that required constant tuning and the replacement of ignition components.
I don't miss the primitive engines that required constant tuning and the replacement of ignition components.
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
2 Strokes ... Years ago we were out on a 125 mile Poker Run .... We had two gas trucks ... The group I was in made the first stop and we missed the second stop ... Lead rider zigged when he should have zagged ... Fortunately we made it to a gas station out in the sticks and as luck would have it they had a pump with per-mix ... Unfortunately I made it about three miles before I fouled a plug ... Cleaned the plug as best I could ( Yep I had given my spare to another rider ) and I kicked that YZ 490 until I almost stroked out ... Learned a valuable lesson that day
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From: Thames Valley - England
2 Strokes ... Years ago we were out on a 125 mile Poker Run .... We had two gas trucks ... The group I was in made the first stop and we missed the second stop ... Lead rider zigged when he should have zagged ... Fortunately we made it to a gas station out in the sticks and as luck would have it they had a pump with per-mix ... Unfortunately I made it about three miles before I fouled a plug ... Cleaned the plug as best I could ( Yep I had given my spare to another rider ) and I kicked that YZ 490 until I almost stroked out ... Learned a valuable lesson that day
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2017
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From: Phoenix
My bench grinder has a grinding stone on one side and a wire brush wheel on the other.
I usually use the wire wheel to get rust and corrosion off nuts, bolts, etc. But I have been known to use it to clean fouled spark plugs
It also works great to get loc-tite out of bolt threads.
I usually use the wire wheel to get rust and corrosion off nuts, bolts, etc. But I have been known to use it to clean fouled spark plugs
It also works great to get loc-tite out of bolt threads.