Is it safe to clean the spark plugs on the 4 strokes.
lucky_7
TY 4 Stroke Guru
Is there something wrong with them that would make you want to clean them? Most people on here never touch them and do not have any issues with them.
There was no problem with the plugs, just decided to put a new set in after 6,000 miles. By putting them in a spark plug cleaner(silca sand) will I ruin them.
NY AttakGT
TY 4 Stroke Guru
I don't see any harm in cleaning them. Only can improve their performance. Just make they are properly gapped before you put them back in.
I know I am popping mine out and giving them a cleaning while everything is apart. Does it NEED it? No, probably not. But can't hurt.
--Steve (O.C.)
I know I am popping mine out and giving them a cleaning while everything is apart. Does it NEED it? No, probably not. But can't hurt.
--Steve (O.C.)
sobfrogg
TY 4 Stroke Guru
do not clean them.
The silica sand left in the plug will harm the cylinder walls. If your plugs are worn replace them.
The silica sand left in the plug will harm the cylinder walls. If your plugs are worn replace them.
RedRocket
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
I replace my plugs every year just as preventative maintenance. It's cheap insurance. I store my sled with a full tank of gas and Sta-bil mix, in the fall I run it through the full tank of gas and once I have fresh clean gas in it, I change the plugs. For the cost of an oil change, might as well...
SRXSRULE
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
Never Sand Blast (clean) spark plugs. All you do is damage the plug and there is sand left behind, even if you blow them off after, and it will get on the cylinder walls.
I still have my CR10EK plug from my 04 warrior, ran them in my 06 Apex, and they will go into my next apex this winter.
Its a 4-stroke......Just like your car/truck. I bet you dont change the spark plugs every few thousand miles in that do ya
Eric
I still have my CR10EK plug from my 04 warrior, ran them in my 06 Apex, and they will go into my next apex this winter.
Its a 4-stroke......Just like your car/truck. I bet you dont change the spark plugs every few thousand miles in that do ya
Eric
RedRocket
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
SRXSRULE said:Its a 4-stroke......Just like your car/truck. I bet you dont change the spark plugs every few thousand miles in that do ya
Eric
We also don't park our car/truck for 6-8 months a year with some fuel stabilizer in it and then run it at over 8000 rpms for the majority of it's engine life.
RX1Jim
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
As others have already said, dont clean your spark plugs using the sandblasting technique. The sandblasting removes the glazed surface from the ceramic allowing carbon deposits to adhere very well to it so they will foul easier, the grit gets packed in between the base of the ceramic and the metal spark plug base which lowers the heat range and some of the grit will fall out over time into the engine. This type of cleaning is a joke, has been for over 30 years. Replace the plugs every year, cheap investment to get the best performance.
NY AttakGT
TY 4 Stroke Guru
I should have been more clear....As the others said, I probably wouldn't use any type of media (sand, silicone, etc..) to clean them either. I just use some good carb cleaner and a toothbrush when I do my plugs.
--Steve (O.C.)
--Steve (O.C.)
SRXSRULE
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
FYI.......Spark plugs are "self-cleaning". If you want them clean, put your sled on a stand, start it up and hold it about 5-6,000 rpm for 4-5 minutes. As soon as they hit there operating temp any fuel or oil residue that you would be able to clean off by removing them will be burnt off.
The only time you need to replace them is when they fail internally, wear out, or get fouled by excess unburnt fuel.
You wont gain any performance by replace a spark plug that only has a few thousand miles on it. (unless you change heat range) Eric
The only time you need to replace them is when they fail internally, wear out, or get fouled by excess unburnt fuel.
You wont gain any performance by replace a spark plug that only has a few thousand miles on it. (unless you change heat range) Eric
RedRocket
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
SRXSRULE said:
That has got to be one of the dumbest things I have ever heard. Jack up your sled, start it up and rev it at 5-6,000 rpms for 4-5 minutes, are you kidding me...? Okay, so now your sled has overheated from running so hot in a stable position, your head gasket is cracked and leaking, you have a shed full of fumes, you wasted $20 worth of gas, and your belt just lost 1,000 miles of rubber from overheating, but hey you didn't have to replace those spark plugs that are so difficult to get to.
Some advice is not even worth the 2 cents...
yamadog1
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
plugs
like i said once before you don't have to agree with some ones theory
but until you know for sure don't be so critical, srxrule is pretty good
with most things, so i think you were out of line. redrocket have a great day.
like i said once before you don't have to agree with some ones theory
but until you know for sure don't be so critical, srxrule is pretty good
with most things, so i think you were out of line. redrocket have a great day.
LazyBastard
TY 4 Stroke God
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4-5 minutes is quite a while, however, the engine will be spinning freely without significant load, and the track will be spinning pretty fast. With the track spinning, it will be pumping air past the front cooler, and that will probably be enough to keep the engine cool when its not under much of a load. And of course, if it *does* start to heat up too much, the overheat light WILL come on, so unless you are drunk or retarded when doing this, there is no risk at all to the engine. Shed will only be full of fumes if you actually ARE IN a shed and it is poorly ventilated. 4-5 minutes of RIPPING WOT down a lake won't even come close to $20 of gas, so that estimate is WAY off, and regarding the belt... again, there is no load on it, so why would it overheat and/or wear excessively?
The only real problem I can find with this procedure is burning down the SLIDES, and even with that, no weight on it = no pressure = not as bad as running 4-5 minutes down a plowed road. Throw a little bit of snow at the track and it'll be fine.
The only real problem I can find with this procedure is burning down the SLIDES, and even with that, no weight on it = no pressure = not as bad as running 4-5 minutes down a plowed road. Throw a little bit of snow at the track and it'll be fine.
SRXSRULE
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
RedRocket said:SRXSRULE said:
That has got to be one of the dumbest things I have ever heard. Jack up your sled, start it up and rev it at 5-6,000 rpms for 4-5 minutes, are you kidding me...? Okay, so now your sled has overheated from running so hot in a stable position, your head gasket is cracked and leaking, you have a shed full of fumes, you wasted $20 worth of gas, and your belt just lost 1,000 miles of rubber from overheating, but hey you didn't have to replace those spark plugs that are so difficult to get to.
Some advice is not even worth the 2 cents...
Wow....you really are as smart as i thought!! Good post buddy.
Eric
