OLD MECHANICS TRICK TO CLEAN FOULED SPARK PLUGS

#lawnmowerrepair #ChainsawRepair #Two-stroke #4Stroke #Lawnmower #SmallEngineRepair #STIHL #Echo #Husqvarna #Mechanic #Thought

[@sphillips6357]

Seems like almost everyone missed the whole point of this video. Sure you can clean spark plugs with a wire brush, gasoline etc or carry spare plugs. This video is just showing another way to clean a plug. If you don't like it, then you make a video showing how you prefer to clean a spark plug, or a video on how to always carry a spare spark plug. Really. . . the number of different, good, alternate ways to clean a plug in the thousand plus comments below could be counted on two hands.

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

😉 ur my new favorite commenter!

[@frankieb.fernandez79]

Someone's feathers got ruffled. Can't take good jokes or can't handle people's opinions? Which is it?

[@xLTxVEGAx]

I use carb cleaner and an old toothbrush. Any small engine that has 2 cycle mix always ends up like that after a while. It happens to my snowblower and chainsaw all the time. That torch clean is an interesting method and probably cleans better that my toothbrush lol.

[@cavemandan]

i have alot of plugs to do this new way...worth investing a 1/4 to a whole tank of gas for the ease and results

[@trevinskiking2165]

@@cavemandan Shouldn't clean your parts in gasoline because of the risk of fire, you use Kerosine ! & For cleaning plugs till read hot: yeah it works but heating the plug till it's red hot 1/gives the ceramic/ porcelain centre electrode a fright & 2/ it changes the plugs HEAT range...Trev New Zealand 🇳🇿 home of the world's fastest old Indian & lndy/Daytona winner Scott Dickson 😇🇳🇿

[@hofthomecrap9534]

A shot or two of Carb Cleaner & a wire brush has always worked for me, & I've been wrenching 52+ years!

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

Never said it didn’t work

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

@@RY4NP 3 hours?

[@miker252]

I was thinking about back in the 60s with the sulfur and the lead fouling. We sand blasted them and reinstalled on a V8 for 0.9 hours flat rate.

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

It’s very efficient

[@arturodelagarza9028]

THANKS FOR THE INFO. ALWAYS GOOD TO KNOW SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I APPRECIATE NEW STUFF. BEST OF LUCK

[@matthewperlman3356]

I've done this many, many times. It definitely works. Note, don't just take the flame off all at once; back it off slow to avoid temperature shock on the porcelain. That is what cracks them.

[@AR_420]

Right on

[@GHOOGLEMALE]

Great video demonstrating how a fouled plug will stop something running, and that cleaning it off is a viable alternative to either A / Sticking in a new one or B/ Thinking Sod It, giving up and not getting the job done. Yes lots of ways to clean them up, the key thing is - Give it a go

[@stevearmstrong4561]

I have been using wire brush,sand paper and carburetor cleaner to restore spark plugs since I was 12 years old and still do. Cool technique,I will try it.

[@JoeL-re1dc]

I still have a wall mounted, spark plug cleaner from the 70's........Now that's the old mechanics trick.

[@MrHidibo]

Is it the one that sort or sand blasts it

[@archygrey9093]

You can still buy those on ebay for $20

[@spacecat7247]

I want one. Very nice to have

[@mmark8394]

They take the glaze off the porcelain but standard practice back then,

[@JoeL-re1dc]

@David Tucker Mine uses a super fine sand..............

[@idaniamairena4191]

This spark plug kzbin.infoUgkx-6W-PtUzBRTmACHywsECak2ToY2OpjxN is a quality made replacement for the old Briggs and Stratton 799876 which has been discontinued. This plug fits most Briggs and Stratton 625 engines made since 2011. Most of these engines also have the air gap set to .020, but it is highly recommended to check in your user manual for actual application.

[@astick7777]

My dad showed me this same trick as a kid. Although we didn't leave the torch on so long, and also added a wire brush and a shot of starting fluid. It works.

[@colingianella7172]

Whenever I’m stuck in a field, I give thanks for bringing along my blow torch.

[@Oystersgetclamydia]

😁

[@mymai2792]

Lol

[@rogertycholiz2218]

Colin - If you are in the back woods always carry extra gas and a plug in a little sparkplug case. Not a good idea firing a plug .

[@heimdall4148]

You can make a campfire to get the end red hot...

[@dinosshed]

Good for plugs that haven't reached temp after too many short runs. No need to get red hot as the electrode expands and cracks the porcelain, engine don't like that.

[@ezio8591]

I use this method too but I soak the plug in a bit of gas for awhile when it's really filthy before torching it. My gramps used to cook them on the stove too when he didn't have a torch, works but takes forever. Good video!

[@Walkercolt1]

Yup, I cleaned Champion M-1's for flathead Ford's that way in the mid 1960's when I worked pumping gas! Smart car owners wouldn't let us use the abrasive blaster on plugs, as getting ALL the abrasive out of the plugs is darn-near impossible, so you sand-blast your cylinders. I always tried to talk people into new .29 cent plugs, but some of the "two-stroke oil burners" wouldn't spring for the "BIG BUCKS"! We had an old-fashioned brass bodied blowtorch that burned "white" gas, we used for heat-vintage 1930's. I soldered radiators, broke-loose rusted bolts, sealed the asphalt battery tops, fixed inner tubes (hot patches) and more with that old blowtorch. BTW, the cheapest "regular" gas I ever pumped was 17.5 cents a gallon including 10.5 cents a gallon Oklahoma State Tax when we were selling off the remains of the "high-lead" (9.5 grams of tetraethyl lead per gallon) gasoline stocks in Fall of 1976.

[@donjohnson3701]

Vinegar, that’s right, I keep a little jar of vinegar on my tool bench and dunk the plug in it for around 24 hours and it comes out clean as a new one.

[@johnbishop5316]

So now we all need to carry a jar of vinegar, a new plug, materials to light a bonfire, a blowtorch, a mapp gas tank, a propane tank, some fine emery and a wire wheel. Got it.

[@robertthayer5779]

I always take my generator my spark plug sandblaster and air compressor everywhere in case I need to clean a spark plug!

[@ThePurple161]

@@robertthayer5779 each one gets better and better ;)

[@tedwoghiren4002]

I used to do this when I was 12 years old. I also used a pick to get into the insides. This worked very well on our 1986 Mercedes 200e.

[@archygrey9093]

I'm watching this video to fix the fouled plugs on my 1986 Mercedes 300se, it fouled my brand new spark plugs and i ain't givin it new ones until it behaves itself. I think its got worn out valve stem seals, it wouldn't start and the spark plugs looked like they had been dunked in used motor oil.

[@spacecat7247]

Wire brush, fine pick and a fine file then check/regap.

[@heterodyne1]

learned that trick in the Navy serving on a tin can in the early 70s as a machinist's mate.. Works great.

[@leecairns8633]

Wipe clean and wire brush , job done . I dont like bagging people with good intentions but you you seriously complicated the most basic of service jobs and now have clueless people running around flamables with a blow torch and cherry red spark plugs ! Good job .....

[@michaelh7527]

I am appreciative for people like you. This is what KZbin is for. But sadly, a lot of people here don't seem to understand that. But that's ok as I have a saying for people like that.... Light is faster than sound. This explains why some people appear bright until you hear them speak 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@roadstar499]

In all my years i never cleaned plugs this way... how simple and very effective...thanks

[@zachgrabow9541]

Thanks man, i'll be trying this on my 2 stroke bicycle engine! its not exactly a stihl but thanks, I think this should do the trick if I find myself stranded.

[@robertdimarcantonio3580]

Kick ass idea When your out in the field. That's when stuff hits the fan. And you need it running like yesterday. Learning new tricks to keep machines running is a Continuous learning curve.

[@viking66.]

Back in the 1970s .we had 2 stroke bikes.we were kids with no cash.we did that shit and it worked.thank for the memory

[@johnsmythe6134]

Great stuff.....I'm 62 now, been fixing small engines for 50+ years, My Dad showed me the torch trick when I was about 6 or 7, been doing it ever since. Never seems to fail. Let's show these greenhorns what time it is, Brother. Good job. -Smythie

[@robertlingg8939]

has any plug exploded in engine after using the torch method. People told me the ceramic part can crack from overheating. Very scared to put in my $8K dirt bike. Please advise. Thanks.

[@1notgilty]

​@@robertlingg8939 Right. You can probably replace the plug for less than $10 bucks and protect your machinery that costs hundreds or thousands of dollars. You can roll the dice and take your chances. You decide which is best. Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya?

[@unimpressed..]

​@@1notgilty you tell'm Harry!!! I mean Mr. Callahan

[@1notgilty]

@@unimpressed.. I'm glad you got that joke!

[@unimpressed..]

@@1notgilty I thought it was Great! I've always been a fan of his "Protect and Serve" method

[@rvalcourtpersonaca]

Used that method of cleaning plugs back in 1962 to get the old snowmobiles running, they would use a 20:1 oil and gas mix. Back then you had to carry a half a dozen new plugs all the time to keep them running. We would clean them up by throwing them in a campfire. This was way back in the bush, miles away from dealers and spark plug retailers.

[@fvrrljr]

Bro how old are you 85 - 90 ? i was in my terrible two's LOL. you look great plus i see you're also a project Farm fan. my dad is 87, mind was a bit slow LOL. raises beer "stay thirsty my friend"

[@rvalcourtpersonaca]

@@fvrrljr I’ll be 70 in a week, I’ve been fooling around with snowmobiles since 1962. My hard drive is slowing down but the data is still there:-)

[@timclough8402]

Ok, that worked REALLY well. That plug looks like it’s been run once and the mixture was perfect 👌 I will try this on the really stubborn ones

[@txtele]

I know there's a million ways to clean a spark plug but considering I don't always have carburetor cleaner on hand and sometimes the wire brush can be hard to find a blow towards she always seems readily available in that case even a gas stove I really appreciate you making this video and sharing this information with us thank you and have a wonderful wonderful life

[@1995dresser]

The way I clean them is to hold them up to the light examine them and look at the deposits and drop into the garbage can for further cleaning

[@thetruthisoutthere8598]

😄😄😄

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

Best cleaning method IMO

[@shonuff4377]

Lol

[@janisgore8393]

Shit I charge $100.00 an hour!! Don't have time to waste on that..should of just been replaced from the get go!

[@ritaejohn]

You got that right !!!!!

[@georgeford6056]

High heat on the threaded barrel of the plug can damage the epoxy seal between the insulator and the base, making it brittle and leading to a plug blow-by situation. It's fine if you intend to replace the plug the next time you go to the parts store, but a little brass wire wheel on a cordless drill can do the job in about 15 seconds (you can use a plastic flossing pick to clear loose carbon debris from the base of the insulator without damaging the seal). Never use solvents or metal (like a paper clip or small screwdriver) to clean the base of the insulator or you will damage the epoxy seal.

[@BurlyNerdGetsTheWorm]

I've used this trick before on newish plugs that got oil fouled and spent too much time idling and I didn't have time to grab new plugs before I needed it. It definitely has it's applications.

[@briguy6868]

Neat idea ,all I use to clean my plugs is a wire wheel on a bench grinder. Fast easy and also effective

[@richt6353]

I dip in gasoline and and metal brush to scrub plug clean, usually works.

[@manuelvillamil9809]

Yep; my dad was a mechanic and 50 years ago, he showed me how to clean spark plug with gasoline and a piece of wire; then gap them. I maintained my 1970 Volkswagen Beetle that way for 5 years and I replaced plug once.

[@quartusbuys6831]

The problem with using a steel brush is that it deposits steel particles on the ceramic part , turning it into a semi conductor.

[@mikeshobbiesandrandomstuff]

@@quartusbuys6831 not if you rinse it off after with gas or a decent solvent of choice

[@s7centnickel915]

Been doing it that way for 50 years, always works for me.

[@paulveenings6861]

I’d dip the end of that plug into petrol then set fire to it . That’ll burn all the sh!t of . Works every time .

[@chubbybrothers]

It's probably easier to carry a spare spark plug out in the field then it is a propane torch

[@SA-iw4ci]

He used MAPP gas. Pay attention.

[@obsoleteprofessor2034]

One winter I watched these guys work on a 70's Civic for several days. Crank crank crank and no start. They had no money so they didn't try too many things. We went over to stick our nose it it and found that it probably only needed plugs. We pulled them out, cranked the engine to pump out the flood of gasoline in the cylinders, then blew air into the holes to dry it out. We built a small fire and put the tips of the plugs into the flame. Once the plugs were dry, we screwed them in hot and the car fired right up.

[@fuckjoebiden1435]

@@SA-iw4ci your point is? I know, a map gas tank will fit in your pocket much easier than a propane tank.

[@SA-iw4ci]

@@fuckjoebiden1435 It's spelled with two p's ....Mapp.

[@bertgrau3934]

Scott, I agree, seems like a waste of time as well. At home I use a wire wheel

[@backwoodsmodified]

Our old shop teacher taught us this nearly 40 years ago. Get it red hot for a minute, brush it off, like new.

[@tomasnokechtesledger1786]

It got like new again, even the porcelain got White again! Very effective method. Subscribed.

[@Nukemann64]

Great Tip! My dad always took a brass wire brush to them gently, and took some emory cloth and sanded lightly on the center electrode and side electrode, then re-gap it. Usually always worked : )

[@frankdavidson9675]

a brush dont get down in the plug where the mess is you need to blast it out with harbor freights plug blaster does aperfect job and its cheap if you try you want do it any other way it the only to realy clean one like new

[@maskedavenger2578]

That’s what I have been doing for around 50 years use brass wire brush & Emory cloth re gap & sorted .No need for blowtorch

[@maskedavenger2578]

@@frankdavidson9675 Cocktail stick or gentle picker between down in the insulator gap & outer .swill with petrol & wipe with rag after using wire brush & Emory .No need for fancy smancy plug blasters or cleaners .I have been doing it for 50 years even on mucky 2 pre mix 2 stroke plugs .4 stroke plugs shouldn’t be getting very dirty if your engines tuned correctly .The plug should be a nice tan colour if it’s too light your running too lean & hot ,if it’s dark your running too rich wasting fuel & diluting the oil in your engine ,both not good for engine longevity ..We don’t have those tacky Harbour freight gaffs flogging cheapo tat tools in the U.K. Our cheap stores sell slightly better cheap tat tools than in the USA ,but we are slowly getting there & no doubt end up with our own Harbour freight type gaffs .God help us .

[@frankdavidson9675]

@@maskedavenger2578 do know how o read a ohm meter i can see the path to ground down around the post you can not geta brush down in this area my meter tells me when its clean that high voltage take path of least resistance in stead of jump ing the gap on the plug i was cleaning plugs when you were born im 87 set your meter on highest ohms scale read from top of plug to the threads any reading here says its still dirty causing miss fire random

[@maskedavenger2578]

@@frankdavidson9675 Your being too fussy if your going to that trouble why not just buy another plug .A few seconds after you have cleaned every bit of crap off your plug & refit it & start your engine up it will be same as if you had only cleaned 90 % of the muck off the plug anyway .It’s surprising how bad a plug has to get on a 4 stroke before performance is reduced .I use my multimeter for fault tracing & checking my battery charging circuits .I change my plugs at half the milage again of what the manufacturer states & clean my plugs once in between ,the old school method & never have any engine probs & first time starts in damp old England in winter .The more you unscrew a plug the more risk of damaging the weak alloy cylinder head plug threads requiring heli coiling ,if it ain’t broke don’t fix it .

[@richard1964edm]

I learned something new today...thank you!!😁👍👍👍

[@c.blakerockhart1128]

I've used this method. Its actually THE BEST WAY to clean a fouled plug. But I got caught up in conversation one time while doing this, and believe me when I tell you that THEY WILL EXPLODE. 😁 Great video and right to the point. 👍

[@colingianella7172]

Whenever I.m stuck in a field, I give thanks I brought along my blowtorch.

[@d_rok_n5860]

Usually when I’m out in the field I carry a blowtorch in my back pocket so this is perfect!!

[@SC-fj2zp]

😂

[@altonrowell8137]

Lololol 😄😂 lololol 🤣😆😆😁 lololol 🤣🤣😆 Lololol.

[@joshuaabellan7918]

Yeah I was just watching this and thought the very exact thing and was about to message this and I saw that you beat me to it

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

Well at least you learn something

[@manfredrichthofen2494]

..l ALWAYS carry my grandfather's flame thrower he used in Iwo Jima, at the back of my car... Never know when you'll have to use it...like instant BBQs with the boys 🤟👍

[@davidgregory6531]

I've always used a dremel with a wire brush. Works for me.

[@greatnortherntroll6841]

I've used that method for cleaning plugs since about 1979! 😊👍

[@christophermarshall5765]

I've done this lots of times. Very effective with a good blow torch. Good demonstration.

[@gbipit1]

Very critical comments for a man trying to help people

[@catleugh]

My dad taught me to half fill one of those old metal castella cigar tubes with sand, hold the plug in the end and shake it up and down. In other words, gently sandblast it.

[@garylanza2030]

Thanks for the tip I use fire all the time Along with carb cleaner. I also use a nail file. Wire brush is to rough and besides you don't want the gap to change. Nail file works very well.

[@rodneybrand8521]

Gotta love those old mechanics..I've known a few that were very smart..👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@salruiz8066]

That was kinda of a trick we used to get a piece of metal preheated to gas weld was to set the flame to carbon up the metal then set it up for welding when the carbon disappeared it was to temp. Nice fix to remember though for removing carbon deposits on a spark plug..👍

[@thomasreddick5908]

I clean mine all the time with a wire wheel on my bench grinder. Never tried it your way.. I’ll give it a go next time thanks. Subbed and liked.

[@dougmorissette459]

I used to wash my spark plugs in gasoline then wipe them dry. The crap would always wash out and unless they required re-gapping, which I would check anyways, they would always work like new unless the porcelain insulator on the electrode was chipped or missing pieces. You don’t always have a propane torch when you are away from home on a job. Great video with an excellent tip.

[@kenbarnes8958]

I've been at this for 65 years but never saw this fix. Cool.

[@brianking1138]

I have good luck with brake cleaner, brass wire brush, and my air compressor.

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

So how do u get the deposits off the insulator down deep in the plug?

[@brianking1138]

@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 probably not but it usually gets the machine running. If it's a customer they get a new plug. I was a little worried that you heated that plug until it was red but it did look mighty clean. I know a guy that used to sand blast them but IDK if that's a good idea?

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

It’s fine to blast them but most ppl are careless and don’t get all the blasting media out of the plug

[@davidreali9642]

Is this for real like how stuo9d can u he to not know how to brush off a spark plug if u know to brush your teath

[@Jake-by9ly]

@@davidreali9642 Can't get deep inside with a brush

[@okramw1]

Always good to have another way to get it running again. Because you never know what materials you might have available.

[@daryljay7057]

Brake Clean always did the job for me! Carb cleaner, Brake Clean, WD-40 and Perma-Tex are the chems you never want to be without!

[@ttommytom]

I used brake cleaner to get stains out of the wall to wall carpet when we bought our last house. Nothing else worked. Eventually we put in wood floors.

[@baldeagle242]

Never thought about using that to clean a plug. If that don't clan it off nothing will! Thanks for the tip. 🦅

[@keithclark486]

I'm a professional Faller , I always roll a set of acetylene torches with me into the woods , Been doing it like that for the past 45 years , Your idea seems more practical Definitely gonna have to give it a try.

[@muziklvr7776]

How's the body holding up after nearly a half century of hard physical labor?

[@keithclark486]

@@muziklvr7776 A little skin cancer , A bad back but still getting around. Thanks for your concern.

[@gpweaver]

@@muziklvr7776 You don't live 45 years in that occupation without having a brain between your ears.

[@krtbrt]

The old days of snowmobiling............I remember doing this all the time. It also helps to get it in the cylinder while the plug is hot, warms the cylinder area and helps the startup.

[@erwinroman4217]

When I was a kid the corner gas station had a spark plug cleaning machine. Screw it in, give it a blast and it came out clean. Very handy for our mini-bikes.

[@moterdude1959]

As much as I hate to see a plug heated so much the results speak for itself. The plug looked very clean and it working fine. Good Video.

[@stevem5139]

I am a user of the glass bead bag and I love it! Use air after you won’t have a problem. Nice videos

[@josephtucciarone6878]

Very nice. Back in the 60's we had professional sand blasting plug machines. They left the surface more prone to collect new fowling & bits of sand may be logged deep around the insulator after air blowing clean. Thank you.

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

You are the first person that agrees that sand can get stuck in there down deep

[@trevinskiking2165]

@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 That's why Champion etc rec to give them a clean with shop air after....not Rocket Science.Cheers from New Zealand.Bye

[@blowme5150]

They still sale them at H.Freight"

[@Artorius19631]

My Dad showed me that same trick! He said he would heat up red-hot the fouled plugs on the fighter planes and bombers when he was in Air Corps in North Africa during WW2.

[@44hawk28]

You got it a lot hotter than you needed to

[@wactech]

I’ve been doing it for 35 yrs., I learned it from my grandfather. Except it does not need to get red, just burn off the crap.

[@richardtemby4358]

I bet your really tired now!!

[@peterpiper_203]

@@richardtemby4358 I c what u did there

[@davidschwartz5127]

Same here, I saw my father do that many times when I was a kid but like your grandfather he never let it get cherry red.

[@Hammerback972]

I typically knock off the excess, and use a cigar lighter (butane torch) to burn off the moisture and whatever debris remains. I’ll put the flame to it for about 15-20 seconds and it always works for me. Never thought about getting out a propane tank and heating the tip until the ring below the threads was glowing red hot. Neat-O

[@son-of-a-gun]

Don't heat up to cherry red since the porcelain insulator can crack

[@tinytreepublishing8383]

This trick also works for cleaning fouled spark arrestor screens. I usually clean them both at the same time for convenience.

[@scottseals4264]

My papaw always cleaned his after every use,this became my job and I've continued it.he would dip the cool plug in a lil gas a then light it and let it burn,only difference now is instead of a Bic I use one of the small torch lighters,loved the video,many thanks.

[@cliffbradford4679]

This trick actually really works. I do this everytime one of my plugs gets fouled and this fixes just as good as new every single time.

[@philerrup9948]

I've been taking the plugs out and soaking them in 'CLR' cleaner. Works good.

[@mikegrant8490]

My brother's shop had a small sandblaster designed for sparkplugs. Stick the plug in the hole, turn the air valve on and it recirculated the shot blast material. A rubber boot kept the shot blast material in the box and you just rolled the plug the around with your fingers. Those spark plug cleaning machines were common in automotive and truck repair shops 50 years ago. Once the plug was clean to the eye, you hit it with the parts cleaning machine solution to get the grit off it, dried it with shop air, re-gapped the plug to specs and reinstalled. Once the electrode got too short, or the ground got burned off too much, the plug got discarded. Most plugs were good for one or two cleanings before they got too worn. I've used carb cleaner and the wire wheel for years, but there is the problem with the deep deposits of carbon up in recess around the electrode base. Picking it away takes time and if you don't get all of it, it will break off in the cylinder head and the deposits will act as a cutting/ grinding agent on the cylinder walls and around the piston rings. Fire might be a very good thing to rid the plug of ALL the deposits. I might try setting the plug up vertically, the tip in the vise, and filling it with carb cleaner, letting it set for awhile and then boiling it off with the propane and continuing until clean. A tiny shot of carb cleaner when the plug is near red hot, creating that white steam effect, throwing out the tiny chunks of gunk. KA-FUUUM ! Fire in the hole, fire in the hole, fire in the hole! Sizzle pop, szsszszzszzzssz kapow !!

[@workbenchz]

I've always just used a bit of folded sandpaper between the electrodes with great success, but now I'll have to try this one, THX.

[@toddfraisure1747]

Then soak it in some caustic soda (Easy Off oven cleaner) and heat until dry. Excellent video for any of us using a 2 stroke engine.

[@JeffJeno1000]

Another old trick for an engine playing hard to start is to heat the plug on a gas flame, screw it home and guarantee you it’ll start first pull, which is sometimes all you need to tweak the mixture to get it back to being reliable.

[@shinyokoyama8470]

Yea my friend would take a bunch off fouled plugs and put it in a coke can ripped in half put gas in it then light it on fire.. In fact people say in the field, well if you are in the fiiels and your plug looks like that one your Idea is best. Becaue I dont have a torch or a heat gun when im out cutting.

[@geoffbrumpton8544]

I had two cleaned(with a hacksaw scraper shop made ) and refitted while he was stuffing around

[@jackjacke4654]

Yup i remember my dad setting them on the stove top when i was a kid. It sure does work....

[@sparkyglow5535]

That was beautiful! Thank you Mower Medic🔥

[@dennishein2812]

Used that trick quite often. Especially on 2trokes. My dad taught it to me. Didn’t get it that hot though. Sometimes dropped some gas into it. 2 stroke plugs usually had oil in them that would burn off.

[@JOEZEP54]

Don't let it bother you. I think it would be helpful if they said why and YT should have their identity show whether they 👍 or 👎 they way they do when we comment. Stay safe, Joe Z

[@russbilzing5348]

I used to have a 12 volt plug cleaner that worked like a charm. I carried it all over the States on a series of motorcycles and never once did it leave me in the lurch. It basically amounted to a blower and a handful of fine carborundum grit. I'd run it for 30-45 seconds while rotating the plug in it's rubber skirted hole. I wish I could remember it's name, because I'd love to have another one.

[@paulatkins5544]

I have done this a couple of times and get good results. It is also great fun to play with the blow torch.

[@billmarshall3082]

I've used this trick many times.If it keeps happening you might want to go to one heat degree hotter plug.

[@Bulb466]

The plug was dirty for sure but the engine was starting in one pull🤔 cleaning with wire brush and couple dip of dirty spark plug in gasoline works for me.

[@skunk3works895]

Thank you good friend I never will always reuse my spark with your trick thank you for good trick 😎

[@naknakacknak]

I'm impressed. Actually very astounding.

[@alm7707]

I've been doing this for years, but if I have the choice I'll put a new plug in, especially in a vehicle where the labour costs more than the plug.

[@barrettconkle4488]

I have used my old timer pocket knife many times just to keep it running. Then replace it when I am back home. Extra plug is the best way to keep it going when you’re out in the field.

[@bigoldgrizzly]

I keep a spare one wrapped in a condom tied to string then wrapped in rag to give to a tight push fit in the weed wacker handle [other orifices can be similarly stuffed] ;

[@chrishayden7016]

The torch is the BEST way to do it. I have several old farm tractors that have plugs made from Unobtanium. This works because it gets the oil out of the porcelain insulator INSIDE the plug. You MIGHT have a spark in the open but under compression, it won't fire. Seriously, I have a few spark plugs that are 50 years old still working.

[@haydave420]

man o man, you beat me to the punch, i was going to do the same type of video. i have been cleaning spark plugs like this for years. its the best way i know how to clean them. we must be getting older. lol but it sure has its perks. love the video

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

Do the video!

[@TomDobyMowerRepair]

you da man jeremy, dont pay no mind every good channel has someone who's jealous

[@MySafraz]

Seems alot more higher than combustion temps. Worried about compromised electrode. Good video thanks

[@fishingwithfredo2639]

"Fire cleaned"!! that is pretty dang cool😁👍👍👍

[@donupton7374]

And I thought I knew everything but now I understand that guy's a genius

[@dustyroads834]

This is a very effective method. I’ve done it for years. Be carful not to get the ceramic part of the plug too hot. You will have a mini explosion and to plug will be in two pieces.

[@chrisbraid2907]

The plus about doing that is you guarantee a new plug, the minus is if you don’t have one you have to get one.

[@dragonfire00700]

9

[@richardshort4587]

When I began my apprenticeship as a mechanic back in 1970 we had what was basically a sand blaster that cleaned the plugs. It was part of the regular service routines for those older vehicles. As long as there was material to gap them with back in they went until the next service. Technology now allows them to last a hell of a lot longer with less maintenance.

[@dannylinc6247]

The sand leads to sand left in the plug that gets in engines. Briggs and Stratton had to study engine failures. They traced it to sand. The blaster was the source in shops. Bad practices of incomplete cleaning after blasting. The wet method also keeps all of it from becoming airborne. Today the customer is trained to call the mechanic a crook. Now he has to buy everything new every time because patience is a gift. Cost exceeds value. Then China sells him a new one that needs to be thrown away. Progressive ideas from the CCP Rules for shop survival

[@richardshort4587]

@@dannylinc6247 I can’t argue that sand can destroy an engine. But from the number of vehicles that had their spark plugs cleaned that way over the years and didn’t suffer premature engine failure I’d say it was a satisfactory method of cleaning. The cleaning unit was designed by Champion Spark Plug Company, if it was to be proven that plug cleaning sand was detrimental to engines and could lead to law suits from premature engine failure caused by sandblasted plugs Champion would not have continued with its use. However today, technically advanced plugs do not require such cleaning methods.

[@dannylinc6247]

@@richardshort4587 during that time, of the Briggs and Stratton study, so many engines were affected, they called for them and tore them down. Then took the blasters out of the shops because the wet method is keeping the particulate matter out of workers lungs and helping keep it out of engines due to bad practices trying to save time. I still have a blaster for plugs. But carb spray and tapping before gapping can show the particles of sand. Briggs and Stratton imploded and took the riches of their company and allowed their designs to go foreign and be copied. Nowadays you use different parts. But cleaning can still save a plug. I just did that the other day to a new mower for a friend. His fuel practices lead to problems. He doesn't buy it right. Its price has been driven up. He doesn't run them out. He let's them sit. He overfills his oil. So clean them is his answer to get the grass cut.

[@martinarias5422]

Ok

[@dennyj8650]

We used to clean them with gasoline. Never would have thought of this fix, cool!

[@josephzimmer5586]

Way to go! You have taught and old school mechanic trick. Oh wait you just did what every 13 yr old does on their first guess to what to try first when dad won't buy them a new plug for their dirt bike lol

[@TheTrailblazer1974]

The hell with buying new plugs I know what I’m doing now on

[@darrenlong8375]

A lighter and a wire brush works just as well. I never had to get it cherry red.

[@aris95]

Yes simple lighter and safety-pin is enough. Safety-pin is also easy to carry with

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

A Lighter dosnt get hot enough

[@aris95]

@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 It isn't needed to be burned "reddish" really just burn the oil off and then use safety-pin to remove the junk from the plug

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

@@aris95 awesome. You do you and I’ll do it Right

[@aris95]

@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 It is also easier to handle when not burned reddish

[@barkchip1872]

Greetings from the Dis-United Kingdom! Back in my two-stroke motorcycle days we used to put our oil-fouled spark plugs on the gas cooker (hob); as long as Mum wasn't looking! Then we'd pick 'em up wearing our motorcycle gloves and run outside and try to screw 'em back in while they were still hot! If the bike then ran ok - and it usually did - w'ed tighten 'em down properly - didn't want to squander that heat advantage with plug spanners cooling things down, etc. Still, great video that brought back the memories of being seventeen again. Where'd it all go??

[@jacobyoder4166]

My father in law taught me that trick. Experience taught me that heating them up will do more than just clean them. It makes them work like new.

[@corydriver7634]

Ironically the opening commercial was a Ryobi electric mower ad. 🤣

[@johnferguson4989]

I've had the same plug in my Snow thrower for almost 20 years...I just wire brush it each fall and make sure the gap is correct.

[@chrisbraid2907]

Good practice, beat the gremlins !

[@lawrencebraun7616]

@@chrisbraid2907 I bet your plug doesn't look as bad as that one

[@boostcreep4749]

yep that's the way to clean them! You didn't have to get it that hot though, LOL I learned that trick in northern Michigan snowmobiling in -15 weather.