In today's tough economy more people are keeping their cars much longer and resorting to do-it-yourself maintenance projects to insure their ride lasts as long as possible and serves them well. One simple do-it-yourself task involves checking and cleaning spark plugs between tune ups, which keeps your car running smoothly, while maintaining efficiency.
Fist, make sure the engine is cool. If recently driven, park under a shade tree or in a garage and even put a fan underneath, blowing up through the engine compartment to cut hours off the cooling time. Engines are very hot at normal operating temperatures and can easily cause third degree burns when coming in contact.
After the engine cools, locate the spark plugs and determine if removal of upper engine components are required, such and take plumbing or vacuum hoses. Trying to work around and through these components is frustrating and often results in unpleasant experiences.
Once the space is clear and plugs are easily accessible, remove one spark plug wire and determine what size deep-well socket is needed to fit snugly around the spark plug. Loose fitting sockets can lead to much bigger problems, such as cross threading and stripping of the plug well, costing you hundreds of dollars in professional repairs. You'll also need a ratchet, ratchet extension, and a forty-five degree swivel joint to allow the socket to fit perfectly over the plug before applying torque.
Now, place the socket over the plug and apply even, counter clock-wise pressure until the plug loosens. Once loosened, you can remove the ratchet and twist the extension counter clock-wise until the plug is free from the plug well. Be careful, because the plug can fall into the engine compartment and be very difficult to retrieve. Deep-well sockets made specifically for spark plug removal and installation contain a rubber grommet near the driver end that grips the spark plug so it will not fall from the socket. If your sockets do not have the rubber grommet, then it may be best to reach down with your hand and twist the plug free so it can be securely removed.
With the spark plug in hand, closely observe the tip for any indication of foul, like the fusing together of the electrode and the platinum or copper insert. If fusing is not evident, there should be some carbon build-up that indicates that the plug has been firing properly.
To insure the efficient operation of the plug, use a wire brush to clean the carbon from the tip. Inspect the outer shell of the plug for cracks and deformed threads, also look closely at the ceramic insulator for cracks. If anything out of the ordinary is present, discard the plug and replace it with a new one.
To reinstall the plug, thread it into the plug-in by hand to avoid cross threading. The plug should turn easily most of the way in until it reaches the plug gasket. If only a few turns are achieved by hand before tightening, it's about to cross thread. Back the plug out, and try again until it turns freely and is almost all the way in before tightening. Afterwards, tighten the plug the rest of the way with your ratchet; applying only enough torque to press the gasket of the plug into place, heavy torque is not required.
Repeat this process on all the remaining plugs. Afterwards, replace any components removed to allow access, and then start the car. The car should fire up immediately and idle smoothly. If the car requires multiple turns before starting, and / or runs roughly, there may be a loose or defective plug that will require additional troubleshooting. If everything is okay, your car will operate more efficiently and maintain good gas millage.