Additional Information/Service Procedure
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONIf "fuel" or "oil", fouling is found upon removal and inspection of the spark plugs the following guidelines may be used to clean the spark plugs as necessary.
FUEL FOULED PLUGS
1. Wipe the external spark plug surfaces clean, removing oil, water, and moist residues.
2. If the threads on the plugs require cleaning a wire hand brush may be used. Contact with the platinum tip will result in permanent spark plug damage.
3. Air dry wet spark plugs using clean, dry compressed shop air.
OIL FOULED PLUGS
1. Wipe the external spark plug surfaces clean, removing oil, water, and moist residues.
2. If the threads on the plugs require cleaning a wire hand brush may be used. Contact with the platinum tip will result in permanent spark plug damage. If oil deposits are present on the platinum tip and/or electrodes use only a nylon or natural brisol brush and gasoline to clean the plugs. When using gasoline make sure area is well ventilated.
3. Air dry wet spark plugs using clean, dry compressed shop air.
Normal vehicle operation will also remove engine oil deposits. Chemicals such as brake cleaner may contaminate the internal spark plug seal leading to internal arching of the plug.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Insure that the proper engine oil operating level is correct before returning the vehicle to the owner. If the vehicle exhibits detonation upon replacing the valve stem seals, Top engine cleaner may be used to remove engine oil and carbon deposits from the spark plugs and combustion chamber. If OBD II related codes are set upon running Top engine cleaner through the engine, follow the necessary code clearing procedures listed in the 6E Driveability and Diagnosis section of your 1996 S/T Service Information Manual.