Spark Plugs

upnover

upnover

Grumpy, decrepit Old Man
Moderator
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
Morganton NC
This should probably go in the newbie section, but being the shade tree graying old fart I am, I will put it here.

My question:

Besides the obvious, what goes wrong with spark plugs?
I know I have seen them where the ceramic has deteriorated, I have seen the elctrode part worn down.
But
If they are just dirty or gummed up or what ever, is there really any advantage to a new plug vs cleaning the old ones?

TIA
 
From a tech class I took 30+ years ago... I believe the heating/cooling can also cause electrical issues within the body, since the stud (where the wire clips) and the electrode are not unitized.
 
If your plugs are dirty or gummed up there is a reason for it. They should be slightly brown or tan. If they are gummed up is it black oily looking? That's usually a sign of worn rings/burning oil. That being said, yea, you can clean them up, and regap them, but it won't fix why the engine gummed them up.
 
Caver Dave said:
From a tech class I took 30+ years ago... I believe the heating/cooling can also cause electrical issues within the body, since the stud (where the wire clips) and the electrode are not unitized.
Click to expand...

That's the answer I was looking for, Thanks Dave

rattlecanpaint said:
If your plugs are dirty or gummed up there is a reason for it. They should be slightly brown or tan. If they are gummed up is it black oily looking? That's usually a sign of worn rings/burning oil. That being said, yea, you can clean them up, and regap them, but it won't fix why the engine gummed them up.
Click to expand...

No known issues withthe engine as of now, was just wondering. I know for a fact it has run hot a couple times, and really over worked, so I assume this has not been good for the plugs at all
 
Just clean em and put them back in unless you see physical damage. I have a harbor freight spark plug cleaner. Does a great job of sand blasting them.
 
Just went out and opened her up. Seems plugs are gonna be a pain(in the Hilton) gonna have to go it from underneath. All that trouble I will probably replace them.
 
upnover said:
Just went out and opened her up. Seems plugs are gonna be a pain(in the Hilton) gonna have to go it from underneath. All that trouble I will probably replace them.
Click to expand...

My folks old 440 powered MH was a breeze! Crawl underneath and sit up in between the engine & frame rails. The plugs were about even with the top of the frame, but pretty uncluttered... easy, breezy.

I take it the HH isn't that way?
 
It has some sort of shields between the engine and frame with access holes. Defiantly have to go it underneath. We'll see.
 
Is there a removable dog box? The motorhome i had you could remove the dog box to get to the engine mad changing plugs a breeze.
 
Yes it has a removable doghouse cover, but the engine is only a couple inches from the frame on both sides, so, access isn't gonna happen except from underneath
 
My spark plug experience.

I used to think there was some advantage to changing spark plugs & wires. I purchased a used 1990 Ford Aerostar minivan (Big Bertha) around 1998 or 1999. Never having my heart in it, the plugs, wires, cap & rotor in it right now, are the ones it came with when I bought it.
I have put countless miles on the odometer. Many of those, loaded to the gills with camping gear for a family of six.
I pretty much just changed the oil & filter once a year & rotate the tires at about the same intervals.
Darned thing starts right up, every time!
If it would just have the decency to die, I could get an XJ. Prolly have to chunk it off a cliff someday.
 
You'd be surprised at how much horsepower you lose with plugs that are old. Buckshot, be glad you've never changed the plugs on that aerostar. Those are the worst plugs in the world to change. Worse even than the dreaded late model camaro/fire chicken. To get to the rear plug on the drivers side, you get a hole saw and cut a hole in the fire wall. It's a brilliant bit of engineering, really. The Exploder sport track isn't much better.
 
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