Chainsaw plug life!

[chainsawMal]

How long should a chainsaw plug last and/or when do you know its time for changing?

[Stubby]

I know this is the wrong answer but I usually change it when it stops running. A wire brush up and reset the gap (thumb nail thickness ) sometimes gives you more time .

[chainsawMal]

Whats the gap size?

[C.J]

Usually 0.5mm

[Al Smith]

Well I've got some I've had for over 30 years and never changed the plug if that accounts for any thing .Yes by the way they still run .

[Al Smith]

Usually 0.5mm

 

--or 19 thou for us not metrically inclined .

[Stubby]

Yae , like I said thumb nail thickness !

[GardenKit]

Cleaning spark plugs with a wire brush or an abrasive cleaner is no longer recommended. It can do more harm than good by leaving conductive deposits on the plug’s insulating nose. Modern ignition systems work at very high voltages and the HT current can leak away via deposits left by cleaning.

 

Still ,its better then nothing when on site. but better to carry a spare plug.

 

And as you wont find a 19 thou feeler guage use 20thou as equiv to 0.5mm!

Edited January 24, 2012 by GardenKit

[blazer]

Yae , like I said thumb nail thickness !

 

I remember when it was the thickness of a fag packet:001_tt2:

 

Some quality plugs will last years longer than cheapies.

 

If plug gets wet, it will short across the insulator - so won't fire, best to take the plug out and leave the saw for say 15 min to allow the cylinder to dry, then fit a spare plug. One old trick is to heat the plug (with a lighter) before putting it back ( you can do this to a dirty plug so it will clean itself when running in the engine again).

 

Old plugs can fail under pressure so if missfiring, try a new plug (don't overtighten) also clean top insulator.

 

Check HT leads in the dark, old car trick is to run the engine in the dark and look for HT leakage.

 

Always fit a plug of the same rating, check if a different make from a conversion chart, plugs are rated at different tempratures.

[Rob D]

I usually go by the motto if it ain't broke....

 

But if there is any problem at all engine wise i.e. not idling, difficult to start, then first thing to do is replace the spark plug.