Spark plug cleaners

[Sleufoot]

I was thinking about buying a portable spark plug cleaner and was wondering if anyone else has the experience with using one? Also would need to purchase an air compressor to provide at least 7.7 cfm at 90 PSI. Any thoughts on compressors without spending and arm and a leg? Thanks Tom in Mn.

 

[muleboss]

You can probably buy a lot of spark plugs for the same price

 

[Janicholson]

They work, but leave a sand blasted ceramic insulator that is easier to collect deposits than new. I heat them with a propane torch until the ground electrode is red. That seems to work well. A wire brush leaves steel or brass on the insulator and usually causes early failure, or instant failure. If you have a cylinder that fouls plugs quickly, and do not want to overhaul, or? the spark plug extenders also work. Anti fouling adapter, or a hotter plug also works OK, but only if a modest change. Swapping the fouled plug to a different cylinder is also possible. Jim

 

[Sleufoot]

You can probably buy a lot of spark plugs for the same price

I thought about that also but just figured with 20 different tractors it might be easier to just clean them like old service stations used to clean plugs. I guess I’m just old school. Thanks for your thoughts. Tom in Mn.

 

[Russ from MN]

I agree with Jim, sandblasting a plug is bad for them, I use a propane torch. My father used to bring them in and put them on the gas burner on the kitchen stove, once they got red hot, he would put them in a tin can and dash back out and put them in the engine.

 

[Butch(OH)]

I was thinking about buying a portable spark plug cleaner and was wondering if anyone else has the experience with using one? Also would need to purchase an air compressor to provide at least 7.7 cfm at 90 PSI. Any thoughts on compressors without spending and arm and a leg? Thanks Tom in Mn.

While I agree with the other replies about sandblasting sparkplugs to answer your question you do not need much of a compressor to run one. They use a lot of air but for a very short period of time, at least the ones I have been around? Every service station used to have one hanging on a wall. A quick tap on the button, turn the plug 180 and tap it again, done. You will find that sandblasting plugs leads to an addiction to doing it since the roughed up ceramic will foul easier.

 

[Sberry]

I have one and use it on occasion. Some plugs have got a lot cheaper and paid less than 2 for some over the counter the other day. I would say it's worth having but not worth buying a comp for but,,,, how can a guy have 20 tractors and no comp?
Almost essential for cleaning a carb let alone tire air.

 

[timcasbolt]

I bought a Harbor Freight sandblaster several years ago, and power it with one of their 8 gallon compressors. It works ok. After sandblasting I spray the plug thoroughly with carb cleaner and blow dry to make sure I've removed all media from the plug. If you have old engines that are pretty loose it's probably a good investment.

 

[Sleufoot]

I have one and use it on occasion. Some plugs have got a lot cheaper and paid less than 2 for some over the counter the other day. I would say it's worth having but not worth buying a comp for but,,,, how can a guy have 20 tractors and no comp?
Almost essential for cleaning a carb let alone tire air.

There is a compressor on site but it belongs to a relative and didn't want to bother him all the time. I also have a portable 12 volt tire pump I use. Thanks! Tom in Mn.

 

[Blackhole49]

I've been cleaning mine forever on my wire wheel with great results. Have a sandblast cabinet but never used it for plugs.

 

[1948CaseVAI]

I was thinking about buying a portable spark plug cleaner and was wondering if anyone else has the experience with using one? Also would need to purchase an air compressor to provide at least 7.7 cfm at 90 PSI. Any thoughts on compressors without spending and arm and a leg? Thanks Tom in Mn.

Why bother??

 

[Duner Wi]

I have been using a portable spark plug cleaner on some of my stuff for over 50 years. I have plugs that have been cleaned quite a few times and are 50 years old or older. Most of my vehicles I don't clean the plugs but purchase new.
If you do clean your plugs get a good light and small pointy sharp tool for picking out the sand that likes to stick between the ceramic and metal. This is really important. I never tried to sand blast any plug with 10mm thread. 14mm and 18mm yes.
Have fun.

 

[Sleufoot]

Why bother??

That’s basically what I was trying to get at by asking the questions. Was wondering if anybody bothered doing it. Thanks! Tom in Mn.

 

[Mule Meat]

Wondering if an Ultrasonic cleaner would do the job or would the carbon and burnt oil be to tough for one?

 

[ratface]

I bought a small HF unit years ago and it just wasn't worth the trouble, the ceramic cleaner is a PITA. I threw it away/

 

[504]

Use baking soda, a piece of that won’t ruin a cylinder wall

 

[Sleufoot]

Interesting suggestion, never thought about trying something like that. Thanks. Tom in Mn.