i got a friend claiming that spark plugs can be cleaned and kept clean of deposits by getting the engine up near redline several times a year. is there any truth to this? if it is true, what's the process or even just the reasoning behind this? it doesn't make sense to me other than the high gas flow might blow out some insignificant loose deposits, but he stands by this. anyone? TIA

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Initial DA6 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> is there any truth to this?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not even a shred.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">he stands by this</TD></TR></TABLE>

Slap him for his insolence.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Initial DA6 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i got a friend claiming that spark plugs can be cleaned and kept clean of deposits by getting the engine up near redline several times a year. is there any truth to this? if it is true, what's the process or even just the reasoning behind this? it doesn't make sense to me other than the high gas flow might blow out some insignificant loose deposits, but he stands by this. anyone? TIA</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is what is known as an "italian tune up". Don't ask me why they call it that. The theory is that due to city driving carbon and junk builds up, running it at redlines help burn in all away. I have no idea if this is true or not.

Just google it and read the first few links. I won't bother copy pasting.

 

taking your motor through the rpm band won't do anything for cleaning your spark plugs. It can possibly help clean out your exhaust from carbon, but clean spark plugs. No Way! Your friend needs to be educated.

 

Actually higher RPM = more combustion cycles = more carbon. Plus, you usually arrive at redline by doing a WOT pull (zero vacuum) so you'll actually be running rich.

So redline = rapid combustion cycles + running rich = maximum carbon. Why would that leave the plugs cleaner . After all, I redline about 50x a day and my plugs are by no means clean.

And besides, new plugs are like $20! Jeesh, just go buy some.

 

you guys are all forgetting this was though up of long before electronic fuel systems or even fuel injection. The concept is not about running rich or lean it is about running very high cylinder temp to help burn away some stuff. As to if it works not now adays I don't get into this argument. I am just explaining the concept behind it.

 

The spark is already the hottest thing occuring in the cylinders. RPM won't change that.

Besides, high heat just bakes the carbon, it doesn't remove it. Carbon doesn't burn.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EnzoSpeed &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The spark is already the hottest thing occuring in the cylinders. RPM won't change that.

Besides, high heat just bakes the carbon, it doesn't remove it. Carbon doesn't burn.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I never said it worked, I was just explianing where did this practice originate from.

 

Your friend is actually partially correct. Alot of it came from older Alfas and Ferraris that ran Weber carbs, running in town at low rpm would tend to foul the plugs, so a good highway flog would tend to clean off all the deposits that have settled on the plugs due to the high temps from high rpm. Also, the spark is certainly NOT the hottest point in the cc.

 

Google "hot spark plug" (closed quotes).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by d16dcoe45 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Alot of it came from older Alfas and Ferraris </TD></TR></TABLE>

Thus it being called an "italian tune up" On a modern vehicle your plugs should never really foul up.

 

This is interesting.... my boss used to be a Fiat and Alfa mechanic back in the 70s and there was an old fella that used to take in his Alfa complaining that it needed new plugs. Used to say the same thing to the old guy everytime he went into the workshop...... "give it a good kick in the guts every now and then". My boss would take it through the back streets and the hills of Melbourne here in Australia.......

I guess there is some truth to it..... however in a modern EFI engine ..... like someone said.... just go buy some new plugs.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Initial DA6 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i got a friend claiming that spark plugs can be cleaned and kept clean of deposits by getting the engine up near redline several times a year. is there any truth to this? if it is true, what's the process or even just the reasoning behind this? it doesn't make sense to me other than the high gas flow might blow out some insignificant loose deposits, but he stands by this. anyone? TIA</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you have the correct heat range plugs in the engine in the first place there shouldn't be a problem. Normal heat cycles from driving should keep them free of deposits. I think what he was describing was bringing the temp of the plug up and then down to help crack the deposits off. This will work to a certain extent but like I said, your plugs shouldn't be fouling anyway. If they are I think you have other problems. If your engine is modified and are fouling you might want to try moving up a heat range.