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I supported Toymods
Location:
Australia
Registered:
November 2003
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Cleaning Iridium Tipped Plugs
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Mon, 24 May 2004 07:58
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How does one clean iridium plugs?
I have just been cleaning them with degreases (spray) and wiping clean with a rag.
Have I fucked them up?
Can I restore them if so (they have been cleaned prolly 6-10 times)
Cheers
(btw, they were cleaned constantly cost in getting the motor running, they kept being flooded, and getting fouled.)
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I Supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
December 2002
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Re: Cleaning Iridium Tipped Plugs
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Mon, 24 May 2004 09:16
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This is from NGK's site:
I would avoid using the wire brush as you can't regap iridiums
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can old spark plugs be cleaned
A: Yes, you can clean spark plugs. However, it is good to remember that spark plugs are a wearable item, so it's important to make sure you check to see if it's worth cleaning before you go through the following steps.
If the firing end is wet, make sure you clean the spark plug with
a quick drying cleaner. (Examples: contact cleaner or brake cleaner).
Sand blast the spark plug using low air pressure
and use a dry compound.
Completely blow all the sand from the spark plug.
Using a wire brush clean the threads and re-gap.
NOTE: Insufficient cleaning of the spark plug may lead to spark plug failure in a very short period of time. Clean the spark plug thoroughly to avoid problems later. Remember, if a spark plug is fouling it's usually a result of engine side factors or incorrect heat range selection.
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Location:
tallahassee FL usOFa
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Cleaning Iridium Tipped Plugs
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Mon, 24 May 2004 14:07
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there is nothing that you can "spray and wipe" that will do any
good, or any harm, to a normaly running spark plug, but it's fine for your loaded/carboned up problem.
no, you haven't fucked them up.
sure it isn't also from oil too? the fuel will dry out all by itself pretty quickly with out any extra help.
***********************************
they go through thousands of high pressure explosions at very high heat.
you can use your moms feather duster/whatever on them and it will do just as much good. leave them alone, or file or sand blast them.
i regap any plug that has a bendable ground electrode.
do these "iridium" things have that??
you have a fuel mixture problem, and maybe oil rings/scrapers!! not a spark plug problem unless you're trying to run the coldest range they make on a low compression, only driven on sunday, tired old beater.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Cleaning Iridium Tipped Plugs
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Mon, 24 May 2004 14:18
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It's the fact that they are pioneering a new way to run a 1UZFE on a Delco ECU, and that it can't be tuned until it runs, but they can't just off the bat make it idle. All the trial and error getting it to that state is causing the problems, as soon as they are gone, it will be tuned.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Australia
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Cleaning Iridium Tipped Plugs
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Mon, 24 May 2004 22:51
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You can't sandblast, or use steel wool or any other abrasive means on Iridium tipped plugs.
You can't even regap them.
I know the drill for cleaning normal plugs, but I would hazard a guess that Iridium ones require a different approach.
I will try a few other solvents and the like upon my return
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Location:
Brisbane Qld
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Cleaning Iridium Tipped Plugs
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Tue, 25 May 2004 22:32
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this is probably obvious, but what about using standard plugs until you get the tuning sorted, then put your expensive little fellows in?
As for cleaning "CRC Clean-R-Carb" is brilliant stuff.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Australia
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Cleaning Iridium Tipped Plugs
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Tue, 25 May 2004 22:47
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| stevevp wrote on Wed, 26 May 2004 06:32 |
this is probably obvious, but what about using standard plugs until you get the tuning sorted, then put your expensive little fellows in?
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Yeah, thats what I plan to do now.
I'll let you guys know how it turns out.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Central Coast
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Cleaning Iridium Tipped Plugs
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Tue, 25 May 2004 23:36
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As SteveVP said, in my past experience (on bike plugs) carby cleaner works a treat ! 
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