So anytime you flood your engine, people automatically say "replace plugs". I fouled out some brand new BR8EQ14's while burning off all the assembly lube in my newly rebuilt motor, and got stranded on campus. Since I was in the auto lab, I grabbed a Mapp gas torch from the tool crib and a wire brush. My plugs were covered in a black, tar-like substance, so I tossed them into a bench vice and hit them with the Mapp gas torch. All of the contaminants burnt off and left me with a grey ash, which I brushed away with the wire brush. Put them back in and the motor started instantly.

Cliff Notes: Don't replace your fouled plugs, hit them with Mapp gas and a wire brush to restore them to like-new condition.

 

Smart tip: Don't use so much assembly lube.

 

i use a good set of used plugs to start a rebuilt engine just for that very reason.

 

I didn't build the motor. It was built and it sat for ~3 years before I bought it for $60. I'm glad it was full of assembly lube.

 

Interesting.

 

The grounding straps and electrode get red hot, and everything burns off. Good way to save $40 every time you foul out a set of plugs. Just carry a Mapp gas torch in your bin instead of some fresh plugs.

 

This sounds interesting but, I'll add my method as well,

1)soak plugs in carb cleaner/chem dip over night
2)use med. bristle brush to clean electrodes and ground straps
3) wipe plugs down and allow to dry for about an hour
4)reinstall plugs and take her for a drive

This works great if you got a spare set of plugs and allows for an otherwise
good set of plugs to stay out of the trash can.

 

Man you got lucky. Glad it worked out in the end.

 

Good tip. I've always been able to hit them with a wire brush and get 'em shiny as new so I guess I haven't fouled plugs badly enough to need the torch on them. I do torch them whenever I flood it, if only to burn the gas off.

Despite that, I used to be quite the nut for replacing mine every other season, so I've got two or three sets laying around that I've wirebrushed and keep around for troubleshooting purposes.

 

Get a spark plug cleaner

I think Harbor freight sells them. You just put some sand in the little bag they come with and pop it on the air compressor... Stick the plug down in the hole and press the button. WOALA BRAND NEW PLUG!!!

I ride two smoky street bikes... Can ya tell??? LOL

 

I'm going to have to try some of these. Current spark plug prices make me sad.

 

who dosent know the old torch/lighter and wire brush trick for fouled plugs? i'd bash my head in if i had to replace iridiums every time i flooded my engine.

 

My car floods after shut down, but I am always able to restart the car. I was thinking of pulling the plugs "just because" they could probably use a cleaning but the car still runs great...

 

i had the flooding problem wit my 85 gsl all day today n tryed a bunch of diff way to fix it that i seen on here n nune worked for mine. i went ahead and took out all 4plugs brushed em and took the tourch to em got em as hot as i could well holding em with bare hands n tryed to put em all back in as fast as i could. bang started right up. i did keep the fuel pump off till it started but after it kicked over turned it on and half choked it till it wormed up. i also cranked it over for a good min with the plugs out befor putting em in.

 

just be careful how much concentrated heat you put on those plugs, you risk cracking the porcelain. I ended up investing in a plug blaster (sandblaster for plugs)

 

yes very tru and thats also why i always do it with bare hands so they dont get to hot. if there to hot to hold then your putting em at risk. good tip ^^^^^

 

anyone try propane to burn them off?

 

Tried it at work yesterday on a weed eater plug. Doesn't get hot enough to do it properly. You need Mapp to turn everything to ash. I couldn't get the center power electrode hot enough to clean it.

 

After seeing this thread I tried the mapp gas technique on my fouled up chain saw plug, and now it runs like a raped ape! I'll add this to the yearly ritual for all my lawn stuff.