"servicing" sparkplugs

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Shannow

Shannow

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Dec 12, 2002
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Anyone remember when we used "service" sparkplugs ?

Pull them out every few thousand miles. file the centre electrode flat. clean up the side electrode. Regap.

Few extra ponies in half cutting off the side electrode.

Debate on whether you should use points files (remember those ?) or abrasive paper.

I must add that I had a plug sand blaster...used it once (literally, one plug) and tossed it.
 
I've been sandblasting (servicing) my plugs for 25 years. Always had access to a sandblaster. I've also had access to magnifying equipment to pick out the grit that I couldn't blow out, so grit contamination was never an issue. I've saved a lot of money over the years. Instead of replacing plugs every 12K or 30K, they could easily go to 70K before the center electrode was too far recessed from wear and had to be tossed. I've never had problems or poor driveability from bad plugs.

Abrasive will work, but leaves residue. Filing is superior.
 
I remember reading in a book about World War 2 how one of the big differences between the US Army and the Wermacht was that the average GI - because in their misspent youths they had tinkered around with cars - could pull spark plugs and sandblast them, adjust carbs, fix tires etc...while the Germans had to pretty much get out and walk when their stuff stopped running.

Not sure why I thought of this, but it is interesting. Sadly I think the average GI today probably wouldn't be able to solve any mechanical issues with their mounts (unless it needed an oversized wing, fahrt-can muffler or carbon-fiber hood).
 
My auto-shop teacher in high school taught us how to 'service' plugs. Had a really nice sandblasting machine. When I graduated in 1988 that was the last time I ever 'serviced' a plug. They're just not that expensive to replace. But I guess before F.I. became mainstream, cleaning and servicing plugs must have been necessary for economic reasons. Even the best carburetors were harder on plugs than F.I. so I guess it was required more often than now. I checked the NGKs in my 86 and 91 Civic Si yearly and other than a little soot, they always looked great.
 
I figure if I go through the trouble of pulling 'em, Im going to replace them. $10 every 2 years is not going to break me.
 
I still back file the side electrode on my personal cars, even with platinum tipped plugs.
There is enough metal to help unshroud the in/out flow at this critical area, without messing with the plat tip - I file it so it isn't 90 deg, but rounded like the plat tip.
Without leaded gas and carburetors, we don't normally need to clean spark plugs - unless there is a specific problem.
 
Originally Posted By: heathenbrewing
I figure if I go through the trouble of pulling 'em, Im going to replace them. $10 every 2 years is not going to break me.


Could not agree more.
Especially since a plug change for my car is a blood-letting 3-4 hour ordeal!!
crazy2.gif

If I pull even ONE plug to 'check' it, it IS getting changed!!!!
 
My post was more of a trip back down memory lane.

With the advent of unleaded, and fuel injection, I've never pulled a plug that I wouldn't have felt comfortable reinstalling.

Back in the "good ole days" of leaded fuels and carbs there was either deposits or erosion or both that needed addressing fairly regularly.

Of course with cast iron heads you were a bit more blase about spinning the plugs in and out.
 
My engines are a pain to change spark plugs. I just replace at the recommended interval. I used to have a home type sand blaster(JC Whitney) for my air compressor and a 5X magnifying glass for inspection. Those days are gone for my present vehicles.
 
Originally Posted By: dailydriver
Originally Posted By: heathenbrewing
I figure if I go through the trouble of pulling 'em, Im going to replace them. $10 every 2 years is not going to break me.


Could not agree more.
Especially since a plug change for my car is a blood-letting 3-4 hour ordeal!!
crazy2.gif

If I pull even ONE plug to 'check' it, it IS getting changed!!!!


Ya ought to take a look at the spark plug location on my 06 VUE with the Honda 3.5L. There is no way in heck to get to those back three without a major ordeal. I'll let Saturn dealer get those replaced when I have to have the 1200 dollar timing belt service done at 100K.
05.gif
 
Originally Posted By: heathenbrewing
I figure if I go through the trouble of pulling 'em, Im going to replace them. $10 every 2 years is not going to break me.


Exactly!
thumbsup2.gif
 
Yes I remember the days of fiddling with plugs and points. I just gave away my dwell meter a couple of years ago.
 
Shannow, dont ya like pulling the plugs on the E30? In m 528es its a 10 minute job. I once ran a set of Bosch silvers for 60k miles. I changed for plats simply because I had never run a set of plugs that long. The motor didnt like the plats , so I swapped the old plugs back in and ran them another 10k. I know guys who have run silvers for 150k miles
 
It's an easy enough job, I just don't like plug threads and aluminium heads. #5 is stuck, which I'll address when I get around to replacing the valve stem seals.
 
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