What's the best way to Recondition a Spark plug?

[Silent Hunter]

Like the title says.

 

What the best way to recondition a spark plug?

 

I know it always better to just get new spark plugs, but if the old ones can be cleaned and recondition until almost new, hey why not?

[BaMBiNo]

I use carberator cleaner door the head in and use a toothbrush to brush off dirt.. .then let it dry

[ezzyoiler]

yes...just soak the electrodes in solvent..brush clean .

check and and sand electrodes to the correct/desired shape and reset gap..

but you need to check that insulation is still intact..the porcelain might be damaged..this will eventually crack up...

as the replacement cost is small i would just replaced...failure is a critical fault.

[Demon]

Like the title says.

 

What the best way to recondition a spark plug?

 

I know it always better to just get new spark plugs, but if the old ones can be cleaned and recondition until almost new, hey why not?

 

Technically it is impossible to re-condition a plug but you can clean and and adjust the gap which a mechanic in the 70's would do.

 

However it is not necessary in current plug technology. All, if not most of the tip are hardened and pointed unlike plugs of yesteryears which were softer and flat thus easily depleted after usage.

 

Plugs are also cheaper, and they easily last more than a year on bikes less those for racing.

 

Its not economical, so plugs are use and throw items.

[jayz]

Doesnt worth the effort imo.

 

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[captain_des]

if your bike is set up right, plugs rarely foul

 

(black tip) means bike if set too rich, ideal set would see your plug brown

 

Blacken tip is only combustion soot. nothing major

 

brake cleaner and a soft bristle toothbrush will do the trick

 

as replies above, do take note of the "ceramic" holder on the electrode

and the gap adjustment if any

 

electrode cannot be loose..

 

loose electrode dropping into the combustion chamber is no laughing matter

 

to be fair, shops will unknowingly sell you defective plugs so ALWAYS CHECK BEFORE PAYING!

[haowei]

hi does anyone can help, got ideas what series number model of Denso Iridium Power Spark Plug suitable for our bikes?

thanks!

[Silent Hunter]

Worth cleaning if the plugs are the expensive Iridium plugs.

Mine are very black meaning the fuel:air is too rich.

 

Haven't tried using toothbrush.

Experimenting with steel wool now.

Scrubbed the carbon off until the plugs look almost new then plug back to use.

Seems to work.

[ezzyoiler]

sand paper still best...cut sand paper in 10mm wide strip...and u will know what to do..

 

irridium plugs...the electrode is very thin and small??? so becareful ...you may bent it out of shape....good luck...

dont forget to check for leaks after cleaning...

the best way is to hold plug cap in your hand while you crank up....haha...

[Demon]

Mine are very black meaning the fuel:air is too rich.

 

It could also mean that the plug's heat range is too high for the bike.

[Silent Hunter]

But the ones that got black are the normal $5 NGK ones.

[Raptor]

Ultrasonic bath using isopropyl alcohol as the medium.

[Silent Hunter]

Thanks for the tip Raptor, is the alcohol cheap? And where to get it?

If it is too expensive, then might as well buy new spark plugs.

[ezzyoiler]

Ultrasonic bath using isopropyl alcohol as the medium.

woah..ultrasonic cleaning... you have it?

if plug is dirty...this highly sensitive cleaning is not suitable..anyway where to find the ultrsonic cleaner..?

[djebel]

Well, u can make it clean like new but there is one thing that u cant recondition. the tip (esp if its a Iridium plug) It gets worn down till there is nothing left. normal plugs still can file down. make it flat at the tip.