How to Clean a Spark Plug with Cola

Fouled spark plugs can keep your car from starting. New ones can be expensive. You can get more life out of your spark plugs if you know how to clean them. Here's how to clean spark plugs with cola.

Things You'll Need

• Fouled spark plugs
• A gapping tool
• One can of cola
• One teaspoon of salt
• Wire brush
• Soft cloth

Instructions

Get Your Cola

1. Pour a can of cola (any brand will work) into a tall beverage glass. Drop the corroded spark plug into the glass. Wait 10 minutes. Add a teaspoon of salt and stir gently.

2. Remove spark plug from cola after one hour of soaking. Brush away any remaining corrosion with a wire brush. Rinse with cola/salt mixture, then with water.

3. Carefully dry spark plug and lay on a cloth to continue drying for another hour.

4. 

   Using a gapping tool, check to be sure that the gap on your spark plug is correct.

5. Return your spark plugs to their proper place.

Tips & Warnings

• The author has cleaned his lawn mower's spark plug in this fashion for the past 20 years and had never had to buy a new one.

Resources

• Spark Plug Fact Sheet