Cleaning oil filled plug wells

[roswell998]

Just thought I'd share how I was able to thoroughly clean the oil and debris from my plug wells for less that $1. This was done before removing the valve cover for 60K. It might sound involved, but it takes longer to explain than it does to do the job.

1. Leave spark plugs tight until the wells are clean.

2. Get a thinwall 3/16" dia brass tube from a hobby shop about 6" long.

3. Put about 1" of the end in a vise and carefully flatten it.

4. Insert the other end into a 1/4" OD vinyl tube and run to a hand pump. I used a Black&Decker JackRabbit which I already had, but they are scarce now and expensive . DON'T use an electric pump that may create a spark!

5. Suck all the oil out of the plug well. The flat section will go beside the plug all the way to the seat allowing nearly every drop to be removed.

6. Pour in about 1 3/4 oz of gasoline which should be just below the valve cover plug well seal. It's best to measure rather than pouring by eye to keep from making a mess.

7. Stir around with the brass tube.

8. Suck all of that out. Do this a couple more times and the plug wells should be free of oil.

9. Let gas evaporate a couple of minutes and then blow plug well out with air. All dust and other debris should be expelled. Mine looked as clean as when new.

It might be overkill, but in my opinion even one speck of sand in the cylinder is not a good thing.

See pictures:

http://www.photoisland.com/servlet/GuestLogin?USERNAME=roswell998

Guest Password: plug

Album: Plug Well

 

[SHO M0nk3y]

Sounds good, but I'm not to sure on the gasoline. Why not use brake cleaner or something like that?

 

[Rockledge]

I like it. Looks nice and sturdy.

My method was to use a small Shop Vac with special extensions that can be found at most Lowes/Home Depots. In fact, when put together, the extensions end up looking similar to the brass unit that you crafted (flat, long, thin).

My cleaning fluid of choice is brake parts cleaner, too. I like the power spray and the fact that it evaporates quicker than gasoline.

I sprayed a little brake cleaner in each well and hit it with the Shop Vac and very quickly I had nice clean plug wells.

 

[roswell998]

I like it. Looks nice and sturdy.

My method was to use a small Shop Vac with special extensions that can be found at most Lowes/Home Depots. In fact, when put together, the extensions end up looking similar to the brass unit that you crafted (flat, long, thin).

My cleaning fluid of choice is brake parts cleaner, too. I like the power spray and the fact that it evaporates quicker than gasoline.

I sprayed a little brake cleaner in each well and hit it with the Shop Vac and very quickly I had nice clean plug wells.

I like brake cleaner too.

1. However, I wasn't sure if it would affect paint on valve covers.

2. Also, is brake cleaner volatile? If so ShopVac might be risky. Definitely stay away from ShopVac and gas.

3. Gas is cheap (well, in this quantity anyway) and it did work fine.