MOTOR GP-TRAVEL 2159952 - Caterpillar

may have collected in the spark plug well. Thoroughly remove any debris. Use compressed air. The maximum air pressure for cleaning purposes must be below 207 kPa (30 psi). Ensure that the area around the spark plug is clean and free of dirt and debris.
Use a 177.8 mm (7/8 inch), 4C-4601 Spark Plug Socket, an extension, and a breaker bar to loosen spark plug (7). After the spark plug has been loosened, use the socket and extension to remove the spark plug by hand in order to detect problems with the threads. After the spark plug has been removed, discard the used spark plug gasket. If the spark plug resists removal by hand, apply penetrating oil to the threads. To help the oil penetrate the threads, turn the spark plug back and forth until the spark plug is loose.If the spark plug cannot be removed by hand, clean the threads with 9U-7511 Spark Plug Seat Cleaner. This tool scrapes debris from the seat and from the threads in the cylinder head. Be sure to clean any debris from the cylinder.
Do not use a thread tap. A thread tap will remove metal unnecessarily. The threads could be stripped and the cylinder head could be damaged.
Inspecting the Spark Plug
Inspect the spark plug closely for damage. The condition of the spark plug can indicate the operating condition of the engine.
Illustration 4 g00838300
(1) Terminal post
(2) Insulator
(3) Shell
(4) Gasket
(5) Electrode Terminal post (1) must not move. If the terminal post can be moved by hand, carefully tighten the post into the threads of the insulator. If the post cannot be tightened, discard the spark plug.Inspect insulator (2) for cracks. If a crack is found, discard the spark plug.Faint marks may extend from shell (3) onto the insulator. The marks may be a result of corona that forms at the top of the shell. The conductor will develop a corona when a very high voltage potential ionizes the air. This is a normal condition. This is not an indication of leakage between the shell and the insulator.Inspect shell (3) for damage. Cracks can be caused by overtightening the spark plug. Overtightening can also yield the metal which loosens the shell. Discard any spark plug that has a shell that is cracked or loose.
Illustration 5 g00787372
(6) Precious metal tips on the electrode and the ground strap Caterpillar spark plugs have precious metal tips (6) on the electrode and the ground strap. This material will gradually erode. Use extreme care when you set the electrode gap. Maintain even spacing and proper alignment between the two precious metal surfaces.Replace the spark plug if the precious metal is worn off.A light brown deposit or a beige deposit around the electrode is produced by normal operation.Deposits that are gray or black may be caused by the following substances:
Excessive oil
Use of the wrong oil
A substance that is introduced through the fuel system or the air system
Poor combustion because of a rich air/fuel mixtureA spark plug can operate despite a buildup