Build up on spark cap and spark plug - suggestions?

[DZ]

Hi All,

Rebuilding a K7 that was garaged for 6-7 years and has fuel contamination. Cleaning out fuel intake now, doing fuel rail and injectors as well.

However - any ideas how this could have happened and how to tackle? This is #4 RHS, far away from fuel intake

I didn't even pull the spark plug yet as I prefer cleaning prior going further to avoid new problems.

Any input to the images below?

Thanks for all your help,

Cheers,
Dan

[Mick_J]

I would suggest getting a meat skewer or similar and try to scratch/dislodge any loose crap in there before giving it a good blowjob with an airline to blow any loose material out, then try using a very small squirt of penetrating oil under some thicker gearbox oil or even grease (hopefully any loose crap will stick to it) before attempting to remove the plug.  Good luck

Notty will respond to Blowjob but ignore him 

[Notty]

Notty will respond to Blowjob but ignore him 

£20 quid a time up the valleys , the guy observing the 2 Metre roll must be impressive !!

[DZ]

Notty will respond to Blowjob but ignore him 

£20 quid a time up the valleys , the guy observing the 2 Metre roll must be impressive !!

Does that include cleaning the spark cap?   

[Andre]

For the spark cap I would take the rubber boots off (the strongly colored part) and soak them with silicone oil or silicone grease. Rub off and repeat. Silicone stuff or WD40 etc. should clean the caps also. Avoid getting the silicone inside the caps, specifically the metal parts, as that stuff is dielectric and may cause problems there.


In case the boots don't clean up or have become porous: The rubber boots can be bought individually.

Boots part# 33541-23E01

[DZ]

Thanks Andre, silicone grease and the rubber looks like new.

Looks like actual rust around the spark plug - would it be safe to pour down vinegar or rust remover and let stand?

[Andre]

I'd do what mjgt said above.

As the rust comes from the spark plug only removal of the loose parts is necessary. Looks like the dwell insert is not affected. Wouldn't use rust remover or vinegar. At the bottom of the dwell is a drain hole (empties below the exhaust header). If the headers are off you might want to use a thin wire to ensure passage.

[grog]

DZ, id make sure you get all the crap out. mjgt way is good. Poke, scrape and air blow. Spray grease might be good option just before removing plugs.

[DZ]

Thanks guys, gave it bit of a blow just before without putting a rag around it first so it went everywhere 

Will try to scrape it as you suggested...

[Kiwifruit]

Using BluTac on the end of a screwdriver might get some of that loose material to stuck to it. Has the advantage of being dry too.
Good luck.

[DZ]

Update on this as well...

Scraped and blew the larger parts out - ensured plug is in and I have rags around the area to catch what comes out.

For the finer part I have kept draining a cloth in vinegar and pushed in with a screw driver, let sit and then used a nose plier to twist it around and clean out. Bit fiddly but almost as good as new.

New sparks a ready to go of course and the rubber was cleaned with silicone lube - easiest part of all.

Cheers for the suggestions everyone

[T 24]

There is a small drain hole from the bottom of the spark plug well for draining water out.
It must be blocked.

[froudy]

What @T 24 said

[DZ]

There is a small drain hole from the bottom of the spark plug well for draining water out.
It must be blocked.

Thanks,

Yes, Andre suggested the same so will poke through the drain. It's "perfectly accessible" of course  ... will try cleaning without pulling down the exhaust headers first