Cleaning Spark Plugs is a Simple Job...

: Did he also show you how to install new spark plug gaskets or re-anneal
: the old ones?

: Yep.

Which reminds me... should one try to do that on the spark-plug thermocouples
for measureing CHT? It's always bothered me that they *replace* the original copper
gaskets.

No. As long as you get the gasket/washer/thermocouple on the same way
it came off, it's fine.

Which, by the way, is also true of the regular copper washers/gaskets
under your spark plugs, per my A&P.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

My (50 years in the business) A&P has me replace the gaskets each time
I clean the plugs. I never reuse them. He as all the nice equipment that
you mentioned. Easy job.


-------------
Regards, Ross
C-172F 180HP
KSWI


Jay Honeck wrote:
: Did he also show you how to install new spark plug gaskets or re-anneal
: the old ones?

: Yep.

Which reminds me... should one try to do that on the spark-plug thermocouples
for measureing CHT? It's always bothered me that they *replace* the original copper
gaskets.


No. As long as you get the gasket/washer/thermocouple on the same way
it came off, it's fine.

Which, by the way, is also true of the regular copper washers/gaskets
under your spark plugs, per my A&P.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

It certainly is an easy job. You get your mechanic to save a set of plugs
for your engine from some other owner who has more money than good sense and
changes them with a few thousand hours left on them, you sent this set to
AIrcraft Spark Plug Service in Van Nuys CA, and they send you back
surgically clean, gapped, and "bomb tested" plugs with a new gasket in a
sealed plastic tube for about $4 a plug.

If one of the plugs will not pass muster, they will sell you a good
reconditioned plug in approximately the same wear condition as the bad plug
for about $8.

This is the inexpensive way to do it.



Jim

I switched to irridium plugs and have fewer problems. They seem to go
longer between needing cleaning. They last virtually forever (2000
hours plus). Careful not to sandblast them too much as they are
delicate.

Wow. I'm not exactly sure why you had to waste 132 line to tell us you
just learned how to clean your sparkplugs, but I'm shocked it took you so
many years to learn to do it. Do yourself a favor and get one of these...

http://www.chiefaircraft.com/cgi-bin...arkPlugCleaner

It cleans your plugs in short order, and does a good job. Just don't
over do it. You can prematurely wear them out by "over" cleaning them
with one of these.

--- Jay



--
__!__
Jay and Teresa Masino ___(_)___
http://www2.ari.net/jmasino ! ! !
http://www.OceanCityAirport.com
http://www.oc-Adolfos.com

"Jay Masino" wrote in message
...
Wow. I'm not exactly sure why you had to waste 132 line to tell us you
just learned how to clean your sparkplugs, but I'm shocked it took you so
many years to learn to do it.

I got a lot of information out of Jay's post about his experience cleaning
the plugs. I'm a fairly new aircraft owner and have thought about pulling
the plugs to recheck the gap and clean them as needed. But after reading
through Jay's post, I'm not about to attempt it yet without having someone
giving me some guidance. I also don't have the luxury of an on-airport
mechanic available to ask for assistance like Jay has.

Until I get the proper equipment needed, some guidance, and some old plugs
to practice on first, I'm not about to touch my plane's plugs, yet. I kept
Jay's post so at least I have some idea as to what and what not to do...

-Greg B.

Wow. I'm not exactly sure why you had to waste 132 line to tell us you
just learned how to clean your sparkplugs

Why, because I *knew* it would **** you off, Jay!

:-)

Seriously, we're not all experts here. I write like things like that
because when I was a new owner, I learned from other posters who wrote stuff
like that here.

Lately, it seems like there has been a dearth of instructional "how-to"
posts (like Mike Spera's excellent "replace the interior" series) here. I
would like to read more of them, and -- when I can -- I will continue to
contribute them.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay Honeck wrote:

Why, because I *knew* it would **** you off, Jay!

ROTFL...

Well, that and you're one of those guys that thinks we have a limited
supply of lines Jay. Dontcha know, it's like oil...there is a finite
amount of lines to be written Jay...don't waste them man...the rest of
us have lines to write...come on man, play fair...please?

:-)




--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL-IA Student
Arrow N2104T

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth
with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there
you will always long to return"
- Leonardo Da Vinci

(Remove the obvious from address to reply via e-mail)

Jay Honeck wrote:
Why, because I *knew* it would **** you off, Jay!
:-)

Nah.

Seriously, we're not all experts here. I write like things like that
because when I was a new owner, I learned from other posters who wrote stuff
like that here.

It's a good idea, but if you really look at your post, you're not really
teaching anyone anything. You mostly said "my mechanic showed me how
to...", etc. I think that cleaning/gapping sparkplugs is probably one of
those things that someone needs to *see*. If we're gonna teach the
newsgroup newbies, we should probably document how to do it with digital
pictures and post them somewhere.

--- Jay


--
__!__
Jay and Teresa Masino ___(_)___
http://www2.ari.net/jmasino ! ! !
http://www.OceanCityAirport.com
http://www.oc-Adolfos.com

It's a good idea, but if you really look at your post, you're not really
teaching anyone anything.

He's teaching much. A lot of other pilots might think cleaning
and gapping plugs is a simple thing, and Jay's detailing of his
experience showed that it's not. Reading his post saves them fumbling
through the same process if they realize they're not going to enjoy it,
and might save them money if it keeps them from damaging plugs or
stripping plug threads out of the cylinder head.

Dan