Return to the home page...

Go Back   Moyer Marine Atomic 4 Community - Home of the Afourians > Discussion Topics > General Interest

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1   IP: 192.186.122.174
Old 04-25-2019, 08:21 AM
GregH's Avatar
GregH GregH is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Kingston, ON
Posts: 564
Thanks: 385
Thanked 103 Times in 80 Posts
Those things that you buy...

Quick question to the collective brain-trust...

Are those little home spark plug cleaners one can buy worth it?
__________________
Greg
1975 Alberg 30
Reply With Quote
  #2   IP: 97.93.70.7
Old 04-25-2019, 10:35 AM
Dave Neptune Dave Neptune is online now
Afourian MVP, Professor Emeritus
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Grove, Oklahoma
Posts: 5,035
Thanks: 711
Thanked 1,289 Times in 839 Posts
They do work sort-of. You would be far better of getting the "correct plug" and keeping the engine tuned properly. A clean running engine will not foul plugs and is easily started.
If your plugs are fouling they are trying to tell you something but only if you listen.

In running my ole A-4 (34 years) I never cleaned a plug and only had to dry a few when dewatering. I used my plugs for at least 3 seasons and did have an EI.

Plugs do break down as far as electrical resistance is concerned and that can't be cleaned!

Dave Neptune
Reply With Quote
  #3   IP: 137.103.82.194
Old 04-25-2019, 03:50 PM
joe_db's Avatar
joe_db joe_db is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,474
Thanks: 49
Thanked 1,026 Times in 721 Posts
I agree - if you need to clean your plugs something is wrong.
Reply With Quote
  #4   IP: 192.186.122.174
Old 04-26-2019, 08:20 AM
GregH's Avatar
GregH GregH is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Kingston, ON
Posts: 564
Thanks: 385
Thanked 103 Times in 80 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Neptune View Post
They do work sort-of. You would be far better of getting the "correct plug" and keeping the engine tuned properly. A clean running engine will not foul plugs and is easily started.
If your plugs are fouling they are trying to tell you something but only if you listen.

In running my ole A-4 (34 years) I never cleaned a plug and only had to dry a few when dewatering. I used my plugs for at least 3 seasons and did have an EI.

Plugs do break down as far as electrical resistance is concerned and that can't be cleaned!

Dave Neptune
oh I agree with you 100% I just see these things and sometimes wonder...

new plugs for this year are waiting to go, but I do need to solve the too rich setting on the engine this spring (pulled the plugs in the fall and they were black! - I fee so ashamed)
__________________
Greg
1975 Alberg 30
Reply With Quote
  #5   IP: 192.186.122.174
Old 04-26-2019, 08:22 AM
GregH's Avatar
GregH GregH is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Kingston, ON
Posts: 564
Thanks: 385
Thanked 103 Times in 80 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by joe_db View Post
I agree - if you need to clean your plugs something is wrong.
And there is!

last summer first summer running the engine and learning hands on versus just reading here... "lots" to dial in still this year.
__________________
Greg
1975 Alberg 30
Reply With Quote
  #6   IP: 32.211.28.40
Old 04-26-2019, 07:39 PM
Al Schober's Avatar
Al Schober Al Schober is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Uncasville, CT
Posts: 2,002
Thanks: 16
Thanked 578 Times in 405 Posts
My first cruising (overnight) boat had an outboard, and I recall toasting spark plugs on the alcohol stove. That engine was stolen - thief deserved it!
With the A4, if you're running rich I'd suggest the adjustable main jet offered by our host. I like this adjustable jet and have installed it on every engine I've owned or overhauled.
Reply With Quote
  #7   IP: 192.186.122.174
Old 04-29-2019, 08:17 AM
GregH's Avatar
GregH GregH is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Kingston, ON
Posts: 564
Thanks: 385
Thanked 103 Times in 80 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Schober View Post
My first cruising (overnight) boat had an outboard, and I recall toasting spark plugs on the alcohol stove. That engine was stolen - thief deserved it!
With the A4, if you're running rich I'd suggest the adjustable main jet offered by our host. I like this adjustable jet and have installed it on every engine I've owned or overhauled.
It's definitely on my shopping list!
__________________
Greg
1975 Alberg 30
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Do you fix things that are not broken? joe_db General Interest 2 10-04-2018 09:23 AM
What about the little things? ndutton General Maintenance 17 07-14-2015 01:28 PM
Cloudy Bowl among other things matthewmcp777 Fuel System 6 07-15-2013 09:25 AM
33-1 Genoa track chainplate cover things (removal) kwalters C&C 3 05-27-2012 07:50 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:35 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.


Universal® is a registered trademark of Westerbeke Corporation

Copyright © 2004-2024 Moyer Marine Inc.

All Rights Reserved