How to Change or Clean a Spark Plug

Generally, a bike's spark plug doesn't get damaged easily. However, there are several reasons behind a plug failing. If you don't realize in time that there's an issue with your bike's spark plug, it could cause significant damage to your bike's engine. How long your bike's spark plug will last depends on your riding style and maintenance. Another major reason for spark plugs getting damaged is using old engine oil in the bike. If the fuel is adulterated or the plug is not cleaned for a long time, carbon deposits accumulate excessively. As a result, the spark plug no longer functions as before. On the other hand, water can get into the plug when washing the bike. If this happens, the spark plug might burn out when starting the bike.

When Will You Know Your Bike's Spark Plug Needs Changing?

If you notice that your bike's spark plug has become excessively oily and black soot is coming off it onto your hands, then it should be replaced. If you see the entire plug is black and the top part appears brown, you'll know it's time to change the spark plug. The spark plug is a small part of the bike but it's very important for the bike's engine. For the bike's engine to run well, the spark plug needs to be active. If the plug is good, your bike's engine will also work properly. In today's discussion, we will learn why cleaning the spark plug is important for the bike and how to keep the plug clean.

Why Is It Necessary to Clean the Spark Plug?

If there's adulteration in motorcycle fuel or if the fuel becomes old due to not being used for a long time, problems arise with the spark plug. Any issue with bike fuel affects the engine. As a result, carbon deposits and extra dirt accumulate on the spark plug, and the plug gets jammed. In such a situation, the motorcycle doesn't start easily. If the spark plug is damaged or rusted due to these reasons, it must be changed. It's best if you can have the spark plug cleaned by a mechanic when changing the engine oil.

How to Keep Your Spark Plug Clean

Changing the spark plug at regular intervals will improve your bike's performance and increase riding comfort. It's essential to take care of the other parts of the bike, including the spark plug. If your bike's spark plug is in good condition, the bike's engine will also remain active. The importance of the spark plug cannot be overstated. Your bike's performance depends on its maintenance. Let's find out what the ways to keep the spark plug clean are and why it needs to be cleaned regularly.

• Petrol or Kerosene

To clean the bike's spark plug, use petrol or kerosene. Submerge the plug in kerosene or petrol to clean it. Afterward, clean the plug with a clean, dry cloth.

• Sandpaper

Carbon deposits accumulated on the plug can be cleaned with sandpaper. Caution must be exercised when cleaning with sandpaper. Especially, eye protection must be ensured while cleaning the plug. If sandpaper doesn't work, a file can be used instead. You can also clean it thoroughly with a wire brush. However, a wire brush can be somewhat sharp, so it should be used carefully. It's safer to wear gloves before cleaning the plug with a wire brush to avoid hand injuries. Regular cleaning is essential to keep the spark plug in good condition for a long time.

• Carburetor Cleaner Spray

To clean stubborn carbon deposits accumulated on the plug, you can use carburetor cleaner spray. After use, clean the plug with a clean and dry cloth. If dirt remains on the plug even after spraying, scrub and clean the plug with a wire brush.

• Vinegar Solution

To clean the spark plug, you can prepare and use a vinegar solution. Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing 1/3 cup vinegar with 1/3 cup bicarbonate soda. Pour this mixture into the plug hole, and trapped carbon deposits or stubborn dirt will easily come out. Afterward, you can scrub and clean the accumulated stubborn carbon deposits from the plug with a wire brush. If extra dirt remains, you can soak the plug in the vinegar solution for some time, which will help remove the additional carbon deposits.

• Blow Torch

Dirt stuck on the plug can be cleaned with a blow torch. There's a risk of burning your hand, but if used carefully, there shouldn't be much of a problem. The torch's heat will not damage your plug. Keeping the blow torch on the plug for some time will release all the stubborn dirt.

• Spark Plug Cleaning Machine

A special cleaning machine is used to clean spark plugs. This machine cleans the spark plug using a sandblasting method. This cleaning tool is quite effective for cleaning plugs. The spark plug needs to be fixed on one side of the cleaning machine. A line for air supply needs to be set on the other side of the machine. Afterward, an airbag should be placed on the upper part of the machine and fixed with clips to ensure everyone's safety during sandblasting. Then, turn on the sandblasting mode on the machine and clean the plug by rotating it until all carbon deposits and stubborn dirt are completely removed. After that, turn on the air supply mode of the machine to clean any remaining dust and dirt. Great caution must be exercised when using this tool. If there is no airbag in the machine during sandblasting or if the bag comes off, it can be harmful to you. Silica crystals present in the sand, if they enter the eyes or body through breathing, become severely detrimental to health. This can lead to eye damage, and you may suffer from severe shortness of breath. Mechanics who regularly perform sandblasting also face an increased risk of lung cancer. Therefore, to stay safe, it is very important to exercise caution in this regard.

• Isopropyl Alcohol

Cleaning the plug with isopropyl alcohol is another common cleaning method. Dip the tip or end part of the plug where carbon deposits have accumulated into this alcohol solution for one minute. Then, remove it from the solution and remove the dirt from the plug's tip with the help of a plastic brush. If necessary, the cleaning process can be repeated several times to thoroughly clean the plug's tip.

Conclusion

Among motorcycle maintenance, spark plug care is a very important part that keeps the engine active. It is connected to the engine, and taking care of it ensures engine care. If there is adulteration in the bike's fuel, problems arise with the spark plug. Keeping the spark plug clean is extremely important to ensure your engine's maximum performance. Just as changing or cleaning the spark plug is important, so is knowing how often the plug needs to be cleaned. We hope that through all the methods discussed, you will be able to take proper care of your bike's spark plug. To know more about the bike market in 2022, visit the Bikes Guide site.