HOW TO CLEAN SPARK PLUGS & MAINTAIN THEM LIKE A PRO?
Spark plugs are like tiny lightning bolts! But do not focus on their size, as they play a crucial role in starting your car. They are responsible for the spark of electricity that creates the ignition needed to start your vehicle. Another cool feature about spark plugs is that they can self-clean. You may be wondering how? Well, the heat generated by the engine causes the spark plug to burn everything off.
Then how can spark plugs become fouled? During the rainy season or when your car is getting serviced, moisture accumulation in the spark plug results in the car not starting. Not only this but, if your vehicle has been sitting idle, dirt & grime accumulates on the spark plug. Besides this, carbon residues build up gradually with time on the surface of spark plugs. All of the above factors cause a decrease in the efficiency of the spark plugs. It will then have a direct impact on engine performance & gas mileage. Now, nobody wants that.
Therefore, we will teach you how to clean spark plugs & follow some preventive measures to keep these little fellows functioning smoothly.
Things you will need
Mechanical Gloves or any thick gloves
Pliers
T bar/wrench/spanner
Toothbrush
WD-40® Multi-Use Product
Microfiber cloth
Step 1
Locating & extracting spark plugs
As a general rule of thumb, make sure that the engine is completely cool.
First & foremost, remove the cover of the engine compartment. Spark plugs are inside the cylinders of the combustion chamber, beneath the ignition coils. To access them, open the bolts of the combustion chamber using a wrench. Before that, brush away the loose dirt & debris so that it doesn’t fall in the spark plug hole or combustion chamber. Remove the ignition coils from the cylinders. And insert a socket wrench that consists of an extension bar & a spark plug socket to loosen the spark plugs. Then using pliers, extract the spark plugs carefully.
Step 2
Reading your spark plugs
Before jumping into cleaning your spark plugs, analyze them. Spark plugs narrate the story of your engine. Therefore examine them and understand what is happening inside your car engine. Following is a brief overview of the condition of a spark plug & what it signifies.
- If the central electrode of the spark plug is worn, it means that you need to replace it.
- If the central electrode of the spark plug has a dry, black sooty appearance, it may indicate a fuel leakage. You need to check spark plugs from all the cylinders to verify; if there is a leakage or an overall fuel control problem.
- If you find slight discoloration on the central electrode of the spark plug, but there are no deposits, that is normal. It shows that the spark plug is doing its job & the engine is also in perfect working condition.
- If the outer electrode of the spark plug has dry & sandy deposits, it indicates a problem. The valve seals are not working & oil is getting sucked into the cylinder. You need professional help to solve this problem.
- If you find a lot of wet gunk deposits on the end of your spark plug, it is an alert for you to get your engine checked thoroughly for major internal repairs.
After examining your spark plug, it is time to clean them thoroughly.
Step 3
Clean the spark plugs using WD-40 MUP
WD-40 Multi-use Product is ideal for cleaning spark plugs. Spray WD-40 Multi-use Product on a microfiber cloth and rub over the spark plug. You can even spray WD-40 directly on the spark plug & then wipe it down using a soft, clean cloth. After cleaning the spark plugs, put them back inside and start the car to see the difference.
Preventive Maintenance
WD-40 Multi-use Product does not only help to clean spark plugs but is also helpful in preventive maintenance.
- It acts as a lubricant, thus reducing general wear & tear.
- WD-40 MUP displaces moisture, thus improving connectivity & boosting its performance.
- It not only helps to remove rust but also prevents rust from occurring.
Disclaimer
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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