Had to correct a fuel trim issue with the o2 sensor. It made for a very rich mixture and blackened all the plugs.

Question: Is a $2.59 NGK BPR6ES plug worth cleaning (and how is it best done), considering the plug washer has been crushed and really should not be used again (IMO).

Comments and suggestions welcome.

Keep the plugs in the trunk - when you come upon an ancient repair shop, bring them in - many old-timers have a little plug blaster that hooks up to an air hose bolted to a workbench.

I bought one on eBay for 5 bucks - it even had material in the bag!

I had a '66 Dodge slant 6 that would foul a set of plugs each week.

Give me a break. Yeh I'm the obstinate Ahole here with an attitude. Does not suffer fools...used to be considered a quality.

If the plugs are relatively new and as you say "blackened" just brush them off with a brass brush/ spray with carb cleaner./.

What is this stuff with the CrushWashers???? Can only be used one time???

The only reason to replace a plug is that it dosen't fire or it's been in there for 15K and the electrode is pitted or totally gone.

good grief charlie brown

Seriously, why bother?
For $3 each... Change them.

The real question is, how do you value your time? Is your time/energy to clean the spark plug worth $3?

OK, if you are in the middle of nowhere, have a fouled plug and need to get running to get home... Otherwise, I see spark plugs as a disposable part.

And cleaning them by hand can have issues, leaving bits of metal that can burn as hot spots and distort the electrode.

I did change them out, only because I didn't have new washers. I agree $3 each ain't much and I want to eliminate all downstream items that may have been fouled. I'll keep the old ones as roadside spares.
By the way, final cause of rich fuel trim stuff was a busted ECM. Must have fried. o2 sensor good. I love having a rich supply of spare parts for these zero-cost repairs.
Nilla wafers are my favorite Nabisco product.

Chuckle -- with contemporary cars, spark plugs barely get REPLACED anymore.

It's not worth the trouble - put a new set in.

hi Townshend- those double lipped crush washers for plugs should be available at a chain parts store or napa. sadly that skill seems to have gone the way of the dodo bird. bet none of you heard of the dodo bird. there used to be a battery powered sand blaster to do this, but haven't seen them in a few years. like trying to find a repair person to rebuild a hydraulic power unit for a floor jack or a rebuilt replacement(common answer there is get a harbor freight 3 ton on sale. regards oldduke

Hiya Uncle Old Duke!

Yeah, I recall them mini-sandblasters to clean spark plugs!

I found this entry on the Bimmer forums (copy and paste URL):

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1526267-Checking-spark-plugs-need-to-use-new-crush-washer&s=534089d2b9db3474794dd4b50a33e062&p=20301014#post20301014

And:
https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?57214-Spark-plug-crush-washers

Note the steps that describe plug reinsertion, though. And then using a "spark plug socket with an extension and turn that by hand until you cannot turn anymore."

So tighten to snug?

We can may be say to under proper torque. Reduce torque if using a (properly) nickel anti-seize compound on the thread.

I've reused the crush washer without problem, unless a surprise thread insert comes out with the plug.

Well, at any rate, not to distress the spark plugs thread in the light aluminum alloy head atop overhead cam Lord Redblock's Volvo engine.

I'll pull a plug, check that the center anode electrode is not rounded at the shoulder and not too short, and if the ground cathode (ground) electrode is in fine fettle, set gap, and reinstall.

If in good tune, or have returned to good tune more likely, that which fouls the plug, like extra dry carbon from Townshend Act's oxygen sensor rich running trim issue, should burn away.

Or give it a bit of a brake part cleaner spray. I'd worry using a metal (brass or steel) brush may leave metal bits behind. I'll use an old tooth brush for some abrasion. If the tooth brushe can handle the brake parts cleaner.

Hope that halps.

Happy Sundae!!! Hope all's aces and eights!!!!


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Sad.

Marty