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Sandblasting Spark Plugs


Minkia38

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well I have been 'reusing' my fouled spark plugs for the last 8 years

i simply put the end in a sandblaster and blast the shit outta them, then blow them out real good with the air gun, regap em', and put them back in the ngk box

 

i was just told by a reputable builder that this is no good - it doesnt work, the sand destroys some kind of seal or something.....

 

 

anyone else have an opinion? i know a set is only $4, but i have so many plugs already, and this seemed to work fine for quite some time for me......

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Minkia38 Here is your answer

 

After you run a set of old ones that's been blasted a few times Run your shee, than swap in a Brand new set and see if there any faster. If not than Do what you have been doing.

 

I work at a service station in the early 70's and we Had a small spark plug sand blaster Made by Champion mounted on the wall. So i belive it's OK.

 

But if I was racing when it counted, I run fresh plugs.

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I don't know how you guys foul plugs so often... you must not be getting on the gas enough! I had the stock plugs that came on my Banshee for 4 years. The only real reason I put new ones in was because I figured I'd upgrade to a fine wire plug and I was probably due for a fresh set. If you are changing plugs every week you need to look for other problems like jetting.

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Hi all:

 

Holyman why is a two-stroke more prone to damage from loose sand in the combustion chamber?

 

I'm guessing the higher RPM rate is a factor? It seems really unlikely the sand could travel against the natural intake/exhaust flow and wind up in the bottom end. I think it is much more likely to go with the flow and be blown out the exhaust port.

 

However if it did meet the bottom end the wrist pin and crank bearings probably wouldn't appreciate it. Likewise getting sand outside the combustion chamber of a four-stroke - say through a valve push rod or rocker arm - would have the same terrible result. Sand scoring up the cylinder walls, plug, dome, piston and rings should have the same affect on both engine types. I guess a two-stroke could score twice as fast if you're counting RPMs or half as quick if you're counting cycles.

 

It certainly would be more expensive and time consuming to fix a four-stroker afterward.

 

 

Thanks,

Bill

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You beat me to it Bill!!! I was just gonna say the same thing!! Except that todays four strokes actually rev HIGHER than the two strokes. This is of course talking stock for stock. The "old school" way of thinking is over. And the sand would do MORE damage to a four stroker than it would a two. There are ALOT more moving parts that have guides, bearings, bushings and what not in a 4 stroker. Also, I am uunsure myself why everyone fouls plugs on a regular basis. I carry plugs with me on every ride. I have NEVER used them once. On anything I have owned. They always get given to someone else in the riding pack who is not jetted properly. I change my plugs once a season, or if I am trying to diagnose a problem of some sort. It has never been the plugs. Either way, they are cheap. I wouldn't change getting a piece of sand caught in there and becoming dislodged and going into the motor. Even if it does go right out the exhaust. Why take the extra chance..... ;)

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The reasoning behind it is getting the sand into the lower end or at the edge of the piston at one of the ports which is impossible on a 4 stroke. Granted sand in any engine is bad and to get sand in our beloved banshees would be even that much more tragic. Last time I went to Farm and Fleet, I bought half a dozen NGK plugs for $1.69 each. To me, I'd rather just throw the old ones away.

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I never really had to change my plugs but Id replace tehma every now and then because they looked like shit.

 

Usualy I jsut buy some when Im tryign to figure out the jetting. Takes aclean set to change the jetting. 4 years is a LONG time to go without any Mods that requrie a jetting change.

 

Here they are about $10 for 2 plugs some places want more <_< some less (but not much) :( I have gone through maybe 10 plugs over the 4 years plug chops etc... When I started to fowl them (last trips out) I rebuilt the top end :)

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