Re-using plugs

Ratdaddy07 · 08-07-2006, 10:35 AM

Got my car tuned several days ago for the 3rd time and it still ain't right but that is a long story. Question is, can I pull my plugs once fouled (car was rich before tune, fouled badly in only 50 miles) clean them and re-use? I have always heard once they are fouled they are no good but they were only in for 50 miles and once I cleaned them they looked fine.

***Ed Blown Vert*** · 08-07-2006, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by Brian Hensgens

Got my car tuned several days ago for the 3rd time and it still ain't right but that is a long story. Question is, can I pull my plugs once fouled (car was rich before tune, fouled badly in only 50 miles) clean them and re-use? I have always heard once they are fouled they are no good but they were only in for 50 miles and once I cleaned them they looked fine.

Its possible. But since they are already out. You're better off replacing them. Why do that hard job twice.

**JROBINSON1016** · 08-07-2006, 02:51 PM

just wanted to let you know,you can buy a tool at northern tool to clean them for about $20.it comes with abrasive & you hook it up to your air compressor.just insert the plug & hit the air,make sure you clean them real well(to get all the abrasive material out of the plug end) & gap them.i've done mine many times with a sandblaster.it cleans the soot off ,which actually grounds the plug out to itself somehow.just remember,if you need new plugs,you need new plugs.and always make sure they're free of abrasive material.or for about $15 you can get the el cheapo hand held suction type sandblaster & do it by hand.the 1st is going to be cheaper just for plugs,the second can be used for other things,such as cleaning up some rusty bolts,etc.

**ss~zoso~ss** · 08-08-2006, 12:36 PM

if you own a LS1, you should be able to afford plugs, and why risk giving your engine problems to save a few dollars

**JROBINSON1016** · 08-08-2006, 01:17 PM

your money,spend how u like,just offering insight

**0rion** · 08-08-2006, 09:42 PM

I remember grandpa cleaning mower plugs with sandpaper and gasoline. I would do that....on a mower.

I would just replace the plugs if they look that bad. I think what you end up doing is just taking a chance for some other headache to show up down the road.

**Redphoenix1998** · 08-09-2006, 01:21 AM

definately replace your plugs. A fouled plug can create some issues with bad sparks even after cleaning. After every tune and mod I make it a habit to change out my plugs. But then again, each tune was a different setup.

**ss~zoso~ss** · 08-09-2006, 04:41 AM

cuz once you change your plugs and put the old ones back in you will kick yourself for not using new ones, because the install was such a bitch

**NHRAMAN** · 08-09-2006, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by ss~zoso~ss

if you own a LS1, you should be able to afford plugs, and why risk giving your engine problems to save a few dollars

agreed..if u can't afford new plugs..don't change them or sell the car......although cleaning is better than nothing......

**unnatural aspirations** · 08-11-2006, 08:13 PM

can we say

dude get new plugs ....this reminds me of my ricer buddy he changed his head gasket and used the old gaskets........what the hell .

**NHRAMAN** · 08-13-2006, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by unnatural aspirations

can we say

dude get new plugs ....this reminds me of my ricer buddy he changed his head gasket and used the old gaskets........what the hell .

??? 'changed his head gasket and used the old gaskets' ...makes sense...

Ratdaddy07 · 09-28-2006, 11:45 AM

i WAS JUST GOING THROUGH PLUGS IN A

Ratdaddy07 · 09-28-2006, 11:52 AM

Whoops, try that again, I was just going through plugs within minutes before we got the bugs out then we couldn't tell if the tune was off the next time are just missing because the plugs were fouled from the run before, was like a bad dream but all better now, so good that I took her to the track and when she hooked right off the line the drive shaft snapped in half.