spark plug fouling/cleaning

[njlarry]

After less than 20 hours the plugs on my 115hp '95 OMC have a dark brown goo deep down where the insulator meets the metal plug body. Is this oil fouling? The rest of the surfaces are brown colored and the electrodes show no wear.<br />What would cause this and any ideas on cleaning. I hate to trash otherwise perfect plugs. I did find on one manufacures' web that the old sandblast cleaners are not good as they may leave sand particles that may wear the engine. Would a solvent cleaner salvage these plugs?<br />How do I prevent this? I can't see any leaks on the VRO pump.<br />Thanks for the help.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: spark plug fouling/cleaning

its normal. its due to that is the coolest part of the plug thats inside the combustion chamber. as long as the insulator and electrodes are not gumming up the rest of the carbon is rather normal. if your running into a fouling issue that is killing the plugs ability to arc its a symptom of another issue.

 

[njlarry]

Re: spark plug fouling/cleaning

Not sure...the inside of the plug and the white insulater are brown and glossy. When idleing to winterize, the engine stalled after five minutes and would not restart.

 

[phantoms]

Re: spark plug fouling/cleaning

Originally posted by Njlarry:<br /> I did find on one manufacures' web that the old sandblast cleaners are not good as they may leave sand particles that may wear the engine.

That's somewhat true. You can use the sandblast cleaner as long and you use a air blower or liquid solvent afterwards to remove any remaining particles. Make sure you also clean/blow off the outer shell and threads too as these areas can drop particles in the hole when reinstalling the plugs.

 

[Solittle]

Re: spark plug fouling/cleaning

Perhaps you have the wrong plugs. What plugs are you using? Our "experts" will point you to the correct plug for your engine.

 

[Pony]

Re: spark plug fouling/cleaning

Perhaps you could clean them with seafoam?

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: spark plug fouling/cleaning

I stopped cleaning plugs years ago.Just put new ones in.For the labor involved,it is not worth it.You clean them and then try to diagnos a problem in the motor with old plugs that have been cleaned ?<br /><br />20 hours on a set of plugs,and you want to clean them . WHY ?<br /><br />Is there a problem with your engine ?<br /><br />DHP

 

[Pony]

Re: spark plug fouling/cleaning

DHP- you make a great point. plugs are cheap. I should say that I only clean them and then use them as emergency spares in the boat.......If they really need cleaning badly, I'd feel safer just getting new ones.

 

[deeep water]

Re: spark plug fouling/cleaning

sorry so late but wats wrong with useing a proven working plug ??if the spark is strong and the moter goes use them till something goes wrong and put in your spairs ,,,all of them ,, when i had to change a plug it was all of them