From: William Eslick <wes147@yahoo.com>
Date: 2005/06/16 Thu PM 03:31:26 EDT
To: "Rotary motors in aircraft" <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Subject: [FlyRotary] engine not starting - spark plugs

Ken,
I may have mentioned this at Charlie's fly-in, but here is another method.  SOMEONE, (forgive me if it was on this list) suggested that I try Hobb's #9 gun cleaner from Walmart.  Just soak the plug ends for a couple of hours, and the lead melts off.  No need to blast with beads and rough up the insulator.  The stuff only costs a couple of bucks.  I have no hard data yet, but have cleaned some old plugs to try.    Bill Eslick
RV-6, 1988 13B, 340 Hrs.
www.weslick.com/RV6index.htm
 
 
I hate to admit it but I have ALOT of experience with this subject - can you say 2-stroke motorcycle in the early '70s.  Here is what worked for me (in no particular order):
1.  wash the plugs with spray brake cleaner (only worked for mildly fouled plugs)
2.  wash the plugs with Easy Off oven cleaner ('borrowed' from my Mom's kitchen - I particularly liked this one)
3.  heat the plugs with a propane torch to burn the deposits off;  this had mixed results because I tended to overheat the plugs and destroyed them-worked good if done correctly)
4.  bead blasting - quick and easy but scored the plug so they re-fouled' easily)
 
Bet Bill Jepson knows some real neat tricks because of his years in the motorcycle industry?

Ken Powell Bryant, Arkansas 501-847-4721 RV-4


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