How To Diagnose and Read the Color of Your Spark Plug
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ม.ค. 2019
- Is your spark plug black, wet, greasy or dry, dusty or covered in soot, white and crusty or speckled with crystals, I will show you how to read your spark plug and show you what is normal.
Here are the top 5 color variations and what information your spark plug is telling you about what is going on in your small engine.
Is it oil fouling, carbon fouling, ash deposits or overheating, I will show you what fouled spark plugs look like and how to diagnose your engine problems.
Heard of coffee brown? I'll tell you why it's the best colour although I would prefer beer brown.
Check out the deposits on the side electrode - what color are they? Is there an easy fix? I might have a quick solution for you.
Share this information with your friends. This applies to 2 stroke/cycle engines such as chainsaws, weedeaters and hedge trimmers as well as 4 stroke/cycle engines such as lawn mower, pressure washer, riders and rototillers.
Watch now and don`t forget to check out all the related videos on my channel!!
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Learn how to properly fix or repair your own outdoor power equipment if it won’t start, bogs out, won’t rev up, chain or blade is dull and doesn’t cut good, needs sharpened, or simply just runs poorly.
Simple and basic, do it yourself (DIY) tutorials to help you with your broken lawn and garden equipment.
I do my best to teach you how I easily diagnose problems the fastest, quickest and most efficient way.
Whether it be a handheld, two stroke, two cycle engine like chainsaws, weed eaters, string trimmers, grass trimmers, line trimmers, hedge trimmers, strimmers, brush cutters, leaf blowers, or four stroke, four cycle units like lawn mowers, pressure washers, generators, ride on mowers that need parts installed or replaced, I’m your guy.
I’ve been a small engine mechanic for many years so my videos are loaded with tips and tricks that I have learned and want to pass on to you. I want Steve’s Small Engine Saloon to SAVE YOU TIME, FRUSTRATION AND MOST IMPORTANT, MONEY!
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Disclosure: This TH-cam video is provided for informational purposes only. Steve is a qualified small engine mechanic and is working in an open and fully ventilated shop for the purpose of making this video. Small engines should be operated outside in fully ventilated areas only and it is important that you wear the appropriate safety gear. If you choose to try one of the suggestions made in this video, you do so at your own risk. Please ensure that you take all proper safety measures before attempting any project. - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Click here for chainsaw plugs---- amzn.to/2FPEPOK
Click here for Honda engine plugs---- amzn.to/2TcgVje
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Man , I could open a small motors business just by referencing your channel! Naahhh, just too much to know and /or learn! I finished my 2nd beer lol.
🤦♂️
Good video better than most of the other plug videos thanks
Qq
Wish I could send you a picture of what I pulled out of my machine dude it had no Gap it was so fouled
Thanks a lot for this great overview! I've been mechanic myself all my life, but have never seen a guy who's able to explain all of this so thoroughly and easy to understand way that even I had something to learn from it :))
Very welcome!
👍 I want to thank you for helping me adjust a carb. Whenever I have a small engine issue I always look through your videos.
Right on Buddy....
Never expected Chris Pines dad to give me spark plug tips but I’m here for it
I dont get it! Wasnt his dad the Sarge on CHIPS?
Steve, thanks for all your great insight. I have learned a lot from your videos. After watching this video on spark plugs, I was able to get my chain saw back to running at an acceptable level. I thought I had a problem with the way I adjusted my carburetor since I could get the saw started but had trouble keeping it running. After watching your video and paying attention to your comments about black sooty plugs, I checked the gap on a new spark plug I recently put in and discovered, like you mentioned in the video, that the gap was far too wide. I closed the gap to the proper distance, and now the saw stays running. I think I can still do a little better on fine tuning the carb adjustment, but that will be a lot easier to do now that the saw will stay running long enough to try and make the proper tweaks. Thank you!
Great video Steve. :)
I haven't removed my spark plug in over 35 years and it still runs like a charm!
After watching this video, I'm very tempted to pull it out and see what it actually looks like!
You have taught me knowledge I'd never considered before.
Thank you for you great (oldish) video.
It meant a lot to me.
Mick
The way you explain things is just amazing!!! Everytime I need to fix something I search your videos and sure enough I find what I'm looking for. Steve, your an amazing teacher and because of you I've been able to fix my equipment myself, and I'd like to thank you for that. Keep up the awesome work
Right on Gary! Thank You...and You're Welcome...
Thanks Steve. I've got an old(1930's) Caterpillar that fouls a plug regularly. I'll have to pull it out and see what it looks like, now that I know what to look for. You're the best!
Awesome comment Keith, thanks buddy....
Forgive the digression... I went through the Miller Brewing Company in the middle '70s in Raleigh-Durham NC. Miller Lite had recently come out, and the guide that took us on the brewery tour addressed the "lite" beer craze. He said basically that lite beer was a stroke of marketing genius, in that they took their regular Miller beer, diluted it to lower the alcohol content (and calories), and re-carbonated it to enhance the taste. So basically, you're paying the same (or more) and getting less. I haven't drunk a lite beer since, unless you're buying.
Hey Steve..a shout-out from Ottawa...Buddy you the man.!!!
LONG story short....ive been dealing with a problematic Husq lawn tractor .. fix one thing .. then another issue surfaces... e.g. black smoke on the exhasut and dry black spark plugs.. and you mentioned..." check for a sticky choke..." Bingo.. it was 25% closed... all the time.. adjust the cable..clean plugs again and no more smoke... I was getting ready to do head gaskets... You saved the day Steve. Cheers!!! it was a 1 Beer job.. lol :)
This solves my prroblem on my lawnmower! There is definitely oil fouling and when I took the cylinder head off, I noticed oil leaking along the piston chamber. I believe I have to order the piston rings for my engine but that involves taking the engine apart to the crankshaft which is scary but fun to think about
Easily the best explanation of how to read a plug I've seen. Thanks Steve
You're Welcome...
Great video, at the golf course where I work, a couple of the stihl weed eaters, when they are used full throttle the cord inside, melts together just enough for it to not feed the cord anymore. So I've been using it at full throttle, just not for very long. We have allot of long grass by a creek, and need our weed eaters running good. And your videos have helped me lots thank you.
I picked up a new spark plug for the lawnmower before I saw this video. So I installed it this morning and examined the old plug. It looked like a normal coffee brown plug. Thanks again for the info you provide!
You're Welcome...
Thank you I have always wondered why spark plugs go black. Whenever I have a problem with a small engine I always look through your videos to find what I’m looking for. I always get my answer
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Great video Steve I have a 26 year old MTD snowblower with the 5hp snow king engine and my plug always has the coffee color. I change my plug every year and my oil every year and I've never had a engine problem ever. Steve plugs are cheap and so is oil I only run non ethanol gas 90 octane, keeps every thing clean and running good. Thanks for sharing with us your knowledge I truly appreciate it keep making those great videos.
After 50 years of auto racing, I can tell you that reading spark plugs is an art. Smokey Yunick spent years at it and wrote a lot about it. He always said that when reading a plug the worst thing you can see are the "little purple balls" on the electrode from the porcelain baking off from heat caused by detonation.
Really like your videos, great explanation and clear and up close shots. I've managed to get my aunt's lawnmower working again thanks to your help.
Keep up the good work in being a mentor to us all.
Cheers and I will have a beer in your name.
From rucky in sunny Essex in England
Thank you very much!
Another superlative video. So much to learn about your machines just by looking at the spark plug. Basic knowledge that could save a trip to the repair shop. Thanks again.
Right on Norm!
Thanks Steve for sharing your knowledge with us. Now I know for one thing, the plugs I pulled out of my 79' Cougar XRT are Tan and Normal. Good tip on the weed trimmers about keeping those RPMs up and steady. Thumbs Up!
You're Welcome...and Thank You...
Wow!!! I’m a regular viewer, but somehow missed a stroke and didn’t notice this video. Well, I’ll have to be a little more diligent in my review of the brew and make sure I don’t miss other important videos. This certainly fired me up, sparked my interest and plugged a gap in my knowledge. I get a real charge from having virtual access to an expert who can adroitly show me how 24/7!!! Merry Christmas and may you see your way clear to a 20/20 year for you and your family!
I may have commented on here before but this guy is spot on concerning reading spark plugs. As a former High performance snowmobile engine builder, Learning to read spark plugs is paramount to properly tuning any engine. Reading spark plugs tells you exactly how your engine is running in real time. When racing snowmobile( or any engine) its important to know how your oil fuel ratio and heat range on the engine is affecting the power and efficiency of the engine. Too lean, and you can melt a piston top, too rich and you can flood and damage your engine by fouling. Two stroke and four stroke are two different animals and you need to learn how the performance effects both and why.
Great information. There are many elements that factor into the proper adjustment of carb adjustment, and heat rang of a plug.
Gap setting of plug, octane of fuel, air quality. ( But you hit the high points ) great information. 🤙🤙
Very Informative, will be referring to this video in the future, great video keep them coming , Thanks
You're Welcome...
That was very thorough. Probably one of the best if not the best tutorial on reading the plug!
Thank You...
Your videos are amazing. Wish I'd seen the 20 years ago. I'd have more money and several old tooks back!!! Thank you!
Glad you like them!
Thx for doing both 2 & 4 strokes in one video.
Steve, great and helpful vids, and good beer info too! You have really helped me out especially getting me up to speed on some of the newer machine designs. I do have one chainsaw thought to share. My saw stable is still old, mostly Homelites, mostly the XL-12/SXLAO family. A couple of them Date to the 60s, and I know most of your viewers have moved on. But I love them, and if cared for, they last forever. My comment is on oil mix. You recommended 30:1 to 50:1. The factor recommendation back in the day was 16:1. I know oil chemistry has evolved, and I know new 2 cycle stuff is designed for those low-oil ratios. In fact, if I get in a hurry and throw some of my old Homelite or McCulloch saw gas (I mix it 20:1) into my new Stihl trimmer, it fouls up. BUT, the old saws were not designed for 50:1. And even if they provide fair lube at that mix, the ring/cylinder/piston/carb unified system doesn’t like it, and the saws will run hot and fry the cylinder. If you rich up the mixture to lube, they run way fat in gas, run lousy, gas washes the oil film, and you fry the cylinder again. Especially if the saws are in hard use, like a full day of cutting hardwood. I’ve had to do several complete overhauls on friends and a couple of my own old dogs from trying to use new oil at low oil ratios. So you might share with folks that might end up with an old yard sale or inherit Grandad’s old saw, keep the oil ratio low, 24:1 is as thin as those old saws will tolerate in hard use, I don’t care if the bottle says 100:1. It’s not just about oil chemistry. Thanks, and keep the vids coming!
Check with manufacturer, most old engines are 20-1, they run properly with it, newer models are 50-1.. usually the ratio has been described on the oil bottle but the age of an engine and oil parameters hve to be taken under concideration
Along with what you said about reading a hot sparkplug on a 4 cycle engine I always check and clean any debris around the cylinder head and fins. Good video Steve!
Thank You...
Grade A video.
Ton of info in here that was very well and simply put.
Also good to know my hooptie sled is actually running correctly
Thank You...
Great info, thanks Steve. My chainsaw was cutting out on me today. Took out the plug and had to clean the points with sandpaper to get it running again, I guess it needs replacing.
Right on Buddy...
Sometimes , depending on the plug, it will have a metal plating on it thats meant to be on it. Using sandpaper could take that fine layer of plating off of it....Eg. Like Platinum plugs , Iridium , Cobalt /Titanium drill bits.....If platinum plugs were all platinum , they would be a grand apiece ....I use a copper fine wire brush , or 250 grit or above sandpaper , and lightly , I mean lightly scuff the strap.....Just trying to help ...peace.
Hey Steve, great practical troubleshooting information and your indepth explanations with all possibilities. Something I appreciate that you consistently accomplish in all your videos that I've seen.
HI April!
You two keep on keeping on!
Cool, thanks
From a man who knows what he is talking about. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.
You're Welcome...
Great channel Steve, really appreciate you passing on your experience and knowledge. I learn something every time I log in.
Cheers Dick
Thank You...
Hey there. Big Coors original (banquet beer) fan here. Keystones light is a great light beer similar to Coors light with a slightly more full body. I prefer Coors original, however I actually like Keystone Light BETTER than Coors Light. And it's cheaper to boot!! Awesome videos. Working on all my lawn equipment using your very thoughtful and easy to understand videos! Keep 'em coming!!!
Great video. Thanks for showing the actual plug.
Right on Don...
Great video man! The spark plugs in cylinders 3 and 4 in Pontiac Fiero were carbon fouled after a mere 10,000 miles of use. Cylinders 1 and 2 still looked ok, but they were definitely on their way to being fouled (possibly due to cold temperatures and very high humidity). Those spark plugs were the OE spec ACDelco R43TS6 plugs which are quite cold. So, I went with some ACDelco R45TSX plugs (these are in the spec sheet as well) which should fix that problem.
Great info, thanks again, Steve. Your query about Keystone/Coors reminded me of an old "The Simpsons" episode where they show 3 tanker trucks outside the Duff Beer Brewery being filled from a single pipe with a 3-way split. One truck says Duff, the next Duff Light, the 3rd Duff Ice....lol
Cool, thanks!
Family guy Pawtucket Pat Patriot Ale
Vs Simpson's duff
Same beer
th-cam.com/video/RqfLOJGS_7o/w-d-xo.html
Great video! You're such a smart guy! I follow your advice and everybody thinks I'm a genius! Thanks!
Thank You...and You're Welcome...
Perfect, thank you for these tips, no pun intended 😄 would you be able to make a video on proper chainsaw warmup, to many times I see that people are doing it wrong, food for thought but if not all is well
I watched this video because i got worried when i saw my spark plug was brown colored. I thought that was a bad thing. Now i can stop worrying, Thanks Steve.
You're Welcome...
The best spark plug wear explanation I have ever seen.
Thank you!
Wow, thanks!
Thanks
This is great info, and understandable. Thanks man.
Thank You...and You're Welcome...
Thanks Steve “You are the Man”
You're Welcome...and Thank You...
Great video, Thank you Steve. Your the Man.Keep up the good work.
Thank You...
Thanks man you always have great info I appreciate it!
You're Welcome...
Hi my name is Frank you are expert on all your videos and I like to watch you you are very thorough and give good advice. Thank you
So nice of you
Good thoughts on different types of plug Conditions
Works well with air filters
I really do enjoy your videos and learn a lot.
Coors is my preferred beer btw.
Keep up the great work.
Thanks, will do!
Latest batch of homebrewed beer finally ready.Coopers stout. I call it black grog.Probably the opposite of what you have there.I shall pour you one and drink it myself since you aren't here. Thanks for good vids. Darryl in western Canada.
😁😁
Right on Buddy...
Love it Steve! Good job ! Right on the money, saved to my favourite videos. Awesome stuff. 👍🍻
Right on Buddy....
I was told on a tour at the Coors Brewery in Golden Colorado that yes it basically is Coors Light. Only difference is Keystone uses ingredients that weren't quite good enough for Coors.
Great demonstration Steve. Cheers from Brisbane Australia.
Thanks again Mate....
Your right about the beer it’s so close to coors lite , good info on the plugs I will watch for it
Right on
Amazing in depth video! As usual you’re great Steve ;-)
Thank you kindly!
Brilliant. Not just anyone can explain actually complicated mechanics so simply.
I didn't even realise this was a power tool video but it applies to my car as well. Happy accident.
Awesome work Steve
Right on Mel! Thank You...
I have consumed a lot of coors light over the years, and have discovered keystone light trying to save few dollars. It's the same to me, a friend of mine thought the same thing too.
You are one of my all time favorite humans & I don't even know ya🤗. Here's an over the interweb high five to you Sir! I'll be sure to submit you to the Queen for Knighthood. VR, Squires out.
Thank You...
I’m trying to figure out how come there are so many people that dislike your videos??- just amazing!!
Sometimes it as simple as just Miss-pronouncing a word!
Excellent information. Really enjoy your videos. You have helped me tremendously.
Right on...
Thank you, this video answers questions I have had for a while
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Thanks. I learn a lot today about spark plugs 👍 real helpful
Glad to help
Great video I posed this very question to you about my ms660 thank you you did a great job
Thank You...and You're Welcome...
This video is pretty high quality. Thank you so much! Also your workbench is pretty clean. Happy cuttin' (even though i'm fixin the kawasaki 😂) !
Cool videos I've been tinkering with chain saws dirt bikes three and fourth wheelers vehicle engines u get it.i knowed to rich or lean hard to tell when it's in between but still off on a perfect mixture now I know thanks man.keep it up.
You're Welcome...
Keep it up Steve...My old Dad was a wizard at repairing truck & automotive engines before he passed away, but he did admit once that sometim es he pulled his hair out trying to figure out problems with his dam snow blower, lawnmower or chainsaw! Will be referring to your videos from now on. Thanks for the input!
You're Welcome...
Another fine video !! I would love to work for you and learn all i can from you !! The bad think is i dont drink. Lol love the videos !!
Thank You...
You had my attention at WIDE OPEN!
Yeeee haaawwwww
Ricky Bobby loves you!
And Ricky Bobby loves his modded Stihl 461R 🤘🤘
Just thought I'd drop a comment on this ol' vid to help the algorithm
Take care Steve!
thank you finally a simple explanation.
You're Welcome...
I'm glad I found this video. Iv got a few old wheelhorses with the kohler K series engines
I just had my 14hp k341 rebuilt and finally got it back together. Iv been slowly adjusting the rpm limit up every few times of running It till I get to the 3600 mark. I had It running great after having to replace the coil and condenser and readjusting the valves. The other day it started stumbling and sounds like it's missing every other combustion cycle. Iv adjusted the carb to were it runs the best and nothing changed when this problem started. I'm going to check the plug out on it and the points again. Hoping that solves it.
Good luck!
@@StevesSmallEngineSaloon thanks!
Steve love the info as always, thanks for sharing so much professional tips via a great channel you deserve your own little tv spot it's that good!
Anyway i was reading a makuni tuning manual and it stated plug chopping today is ineffective because the additives and extras in today's fuel will leave false readings, they mentioned racers do it but use better quality fuel, can i still do this to fine fine fine tune my carb and if im designed to use 87 would ot hurt to run a quarter tank of quality race fuel to plug chop, im after that absolute perfect tune
Man thank you so much, you saved me a lot of headache with the very last remark you made.. i just put in a new spark plug in my chainsaw after a small ooosie and wanted to check if the engine was running fine and saw no brown color on it. But it’s the first day of using it, so obviously it wouldn’t be brown just yet, I just didn’t think about that, so thanks a lot for that :D
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Great video, a keeper for sure.
Thanks, Steve...
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Thank you very helpful i never knew any of that i will watch more of your videos.
Glad to hear that!
I should have watched your video before I started pulling my hair out you help me out again Steve appreciate it thank you now I'm going to have a beer
Fantastic!
I've gotta get me a t shirt and sweatshirt/ or hoodie! I drink Coors light almost exclusively and I've never heard about keystone light being the same beer and I won't take any chances either way. My typing made this a 1 and a half Coors lights job,LMAOOOOO!!
Thanks 1,000,000x Mr. Steve for your time, expertise and funny anecdotes.!
You're Welcome...
Hey I like your video and you got a good sense of humor and yes have a beer enjoy life and you're very thorough I can understand you thank you very much keep up the good work Steve from Annapolis Maryland
Right on buddy!
I love your site I have gained a ton of information from you and I have told many others about you
Thank You...
You know your stuff,and you explain it very well;
and especially thanks for the teaching part when you say that ash deposits are from oil burning, never knew that, i knew all the others;
are those additives on the shelf?
Another great video Steve! Keep up the good work!
More to come!
Thank you Steve for sharing good info.
You're Welcome...
I’ll have to try that keystone light. Good info on spark plugs. Wondering if you have a flywheel video on weedyrimmers. Fs90
Nice video. 👍 All it needed was how to figure out the heat ranges that you recommended to bump up or down.
same how do we know how to find the next one
@@jonsworld5307 Spark plug playlist?
Always informative, thanks.
Thank You...
Another informative vid! A few more of these and my repair guy is going to start wondering if I moved away! 😆
LOL! Right on buddy...
Make sure he knows about Steve and he will see for himself why the site is a must have. He may sub some work out to you.
Cool my old plugs look like the last ones you showed good to know thanks
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Very informative, Thanks Steve.
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Good advice again,thanks Steve
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Thanks Steve, this tutorial takes me back to our old man telling us kiddos how o read plugs for adjusting air/fuel mix spark plug range conditions. enjoy the beer.
Right on Chris...
@@StevesSmallEngineSaloon YEAH MAN, WE WERE 2 STROKE YAMAHA PEOPLE, MY DAD COULD MAKE DAMN NEAR ANYTHING RUN LIKE MAD
Good video I'm watching because my dirt bike is blowing through spark plugs
I found a mower at the scrapyard I rescued I thought of your channel because it had miller high life stickers on it😂
LOL, Right on.....
I'll definitely refer to this video in the future Steve.
Right on Buddy....
I really like your videos. Keep them coming.
Thank You...
I have to say I'm a huge fan of yours!!! I never went through small engine repair school. I literally watched your videos, and now I have a shop of my own. And I still come to your channel when I get in a bind.
Wow, thank you!
Much appreciated Steve!
Right on Buddy...
Great topic! Thanks!
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Good info piug ,,,,,, on the plugs
Thanks Steve, I think I know what is going on with my new ride on lawn mower (Dark sooty plugs) Could be the heat range? Living in Tasmania
Huge help! Thanks!
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Thanks Steve. Great idea.
Thanks for the comment Bruce but I am pretty sure that YOU already knew that! wink wink...