Spark plugs make sure that the engine is running smoothly by ensuring prompt fuel ignition. Therefore, keeping them clean is a must. Keeping them clean will allow them to work more optimally. This means you have to know exactly when you need to clean them.
Normally, you need to clean the opening of the hole by using the canned air and a cloth. You do this whenever you change a plug. Because if the hole gets dirty by any chance, cleaning the spark plug becomes problematic and you will require specialized tools.
How to Clean Out Spark Plug Holes?
This section will discuss a step-by-step process to clean out spark plug holes so that you can have a much easier time.
Step1: Gather the Tools
You will need several items for the cleaning of spark plug holes. They include a large screwdriver, sandpaper, carb cleaner, a cloth for cleaning, compressed air, an extension, a gap tool, and safety glasses.
Step 2: Disconnect the Battery
In this step, you have to disconnect the negative terminal of the car battery. You can find it either in your trunk or engine bay. Loosen the bolt holding the cable on the battery’s negative terminal and pull it off.
Step 3: Use the Air Gun On the Spark Plug’s Surface
Locate the spark plug you are going to clean. You can do it by finding the ignition coils and then tracing the wires to track down the spark plug tubes. Use compressed air from your air gun to clean the debris and dirt around the spark plug’s surface.
Step 4: Disconnect the Ignition Coils
Remove the ignition coils one at a time. That will prevent adding more debris and gunk into the holes of the spark plug.
Step 5: Use a spark plug socket
Use a spark plug socket on an extension. Then fix the ratchet on the extension and put the socket on the spark plug tube. Then turn the spark plug counterclockwise and break it free.
Step 6: Clean the Spark Plug With An Air Gun
In this step, use an air gun to remove dirt, debris, or loose materials. Use a long tip of the air gun that can reach close to the bottom of the well.
Step 7: Clean Your Spark Plugs With Specialized Tools
This step involves cleaning the spark plugs with a spark plug cleaning tool, wire brush, or sandpaper. Clean the insides of the spark plugs very well and make sure no dirt is left.
Step 8: Put the Spark Plug in the plug wrench and Tighten It.
Make sure the spark plug is securely attached to the ratchet handle. Tighten the spark plug with moderate pressure because overtightening can cause the spark plug to break.
Step 9: Reinstall the ignition coils
In this step, you have to grab the ignition coil first. Then follow the reverse process and reinstall them by fixing everything in place including the battery terminals.
Can You Clean the Inside of the Spark Plug Holes?
The inside of the spark plug holes can be cleaned and you should clean them. Using an air gun is the most efficient way to remove dirt, debris, and other loose materials. You will be required to fix the air gun tip into the spark plug hole and send the jet of compressed air to blow out foreign materials.
Why Is There Dirt on My Spark Plugs?
Spark plugs accumulate dirt if there are heavy ash deposits built up on the firing end of it. This eventually leads to misfiring. Such ash formation takes place due to the burning of oil, poor quality of fuel, fuel additives, and engine condition. These deposits are also responsible for pre-ignition by reaching the required temperature early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put gas in the spark plug hole?
The recommendation is to put the gas in the intake manifold. This is because a small amount of fuel in the plug well can create fire. Too much gas in the spark plug hole will cause severe damage to the engine system.
Why should you vacuum around spark plugs before removing them?
Spark plugs should be vacuumed using an air gun before removing them. This will remove any dirt, debris, or grime around and inside the spark plug and prevent them from entering the spark tubes.
Why is there oil in my spark plug wells?
If there is too much oil mixed with gasoline, you may find oil in the spark plug. Also if the piston rings fail, they may let oil slip past the piston and reach the spark plug.
Conclusion
Spark plug holes should be cleaned after you are done driving several thousand miles. Such cleansing is needed because of the oil in the spark wells or gunk on the tube threads. Either way, cleaning the spark plug holes will prevent spark plug seizures and make it easier to remove them later.
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