What can be made from old car spark plugs?

Why shouldn't you throw away your old spark plugs?

Often car owners, when carrying out maintenance and repair of the car engine, throw away old spark plugs. Whereas you can not only try to restore them, but also effectively use them on the farm. From them you can make the simplest testers and diagnostic devices, with the help of which you can identify various vehicle malfunctions, including problems with the engine. Let's talk in more detail about why you shouldn't throw away old spark plugs.

Decorative paper candles

Cute and completely safe New Year's candles can be made from paper using the applique technique. You can even decorate a Christmas tree with these candles - there will be no fire.

You will need colored paper in three colors: yellow, orange and red - to imitate a candle flame. And contrasting paper in cool shades (for example, blue or green) for the base. We will make the body of the candle from a toilet paper roll.

Cut out four circles of different diameters: red, orange, yellow and white (the largest). Glue them together using a glue stick. The circles need to be collected offset to the bottom edge, where we paste the cut-out candle flame (“drop” of yellow paper). Using a dark felt-tip pen, draw on the wick and diverging “rays” to create a burning effect.

We make cuts on the roller and insert our flame into them. All that remains is to decorate the base of the candle with a piece of tinsel, and you can decorate the Christmas tree!

Manufacturing a compression tester

Many car owners encounter problems with engine operation and insufficient pressure in the cylinders. This is often observed on worn-out engines, and the repair consists of a complete restoration of the engine. It is difficult to determine the pressure yourself without using special equipment. As a result, you have to take the car to a service center and perform expensive diagnostics.

At the same time, car owners can easily make simple devices for checking compression from a regular old spark plug. This will allow you to independently diagnose the engine in the future, saving on contacting specialists. For this work you will need a metal saw or grinder, a wheel nipple, plastic tubes, clamps, sealant and a pressure gauge.

Using a file or grinder, cut off the rolling of the core and the metal tongue. Using a grinder, the surface is processed so that later a nipple can be inserted into the candle. On the reverse side, a plastic tube is placed on the candle, the length of which is about 20 centimeters. It should be seated on a sealant; additional clamps are also used to ensure complete tightness and the ability to withstand high pressure.

A pressure gauge is placed on the spark plug through a tube, which can be purchased at any specialized stores. Such a pressure monitoring device will be quite accurate, so it can be used to easily measure compression in a car engine. At the same time, it will cost much less than ready-made devices, without losing at all to them in the quality and accuracy of the data obtained.

Restoration of spark plugs

Today there is no consensus among craftsmen and car owners on whether it is necessary to carry out the procedure for restoring spark plugs. Some argue that this is absolutely useless work, the engine will not work correctly with such restored spark plugs, and this will only lead to serious engine malfunctions. While other car owners claim that proper restoration of spark plugs will extend their service life by at least 10-15 thousand kilometers.

There are many different ways to restore spark plugs, some heat them in a fire, others treat them with various chemicals. A fairly effective recovery method is using citric acid, which is mixed with water, after which candles are dipped into the resulting liquid for a day and then calcined for 30 seconds on a gas stove. All that remains for the car owner to do is check the electrode gap, which should be the same on all spark plugs. For this purpose, there are appropriate probes, sets of which can be purchased at an auto parts store.

It must be remembered that it is not recommended to use such reconditioned spark plugs on a car for a long time, since the quality of their spark quickly deteriorates, and subsequently problems arise with increased fuel consumption and other engine malfunctions. They can only be considered as a temporary emergency replacement option, after which the car owner should still purchase new high-quality spark plugs that are fully suitable for his car.

Let's sum it up

Experienced car owners know very well that they should not throw away old spark plugs. Subsequently, they can be used to manufacture simple pressure gauges designed to measure pressure in engine cylinders. You can also easily carry out the procedure for restoring old worn-out spark plugs by dipping them into a solution of citric acid and then calcining them over a fire for 30 seconds.

HOW_TO_MAKE_COLORED_LOCK_CANDLES.txt

HOW TO MAKE COLORED BULK CANDLES. People like to look at the flame of a lit candle. It is calming and calming, but at the same time it evokes many memories and thoughts. Many poems and philosophical works have been written about the small wonderful light of a burning candle. We are used to keeping at least a couple of candles at home, which we can use not only in case of a power outage, but also light them on a significant date or in anticipation of a romantic dinner. But in the age of high technology, the production of candles is shifting to the decorative and souvenir plane. Since the lights in our homes are turned off less and less every year (and in case of a blackout, every family has a couple of newfangled gadgets that work autonomously for several hours), the need for household candles has almost disappeared.

The younger generation no longer buys regular cylindrical candelas because they do not see a pressing need to use them.
At the same time, people's attention is directed to purchasing souvenirs, creative and aesthetic candle products. In addition, practicality and ease of use are always in fashion. Therefore, in recent years, bulk candles have become increasingly popular. This is a revolutionary product in the world of candles. You no longer need to store bulky tall and thick candelas at home, which can break, crumble, or stain other items. Loose candles are superior to their classic counterparts for a variety of reasons. We will try to reveal the main ones. Why are bulk candles better than traditional ones?

1. The basis of bulk candles is a granulator made of palm wax, the so-called palm sand. It is harmless because it is made from a natural product - palm oil. Let me remind you that most classic candles are made from paraffin, which is essentially a synthetic substance made from petroleum products. When paraffin burns, at least a dozen toxic and dangerous poisons are released: carcinogens, formaldehydes and benzene compounds. Inhaling the vapors and soot of a paraffin candle can not only cause a headache and nausea, but also develop a serious illness. But it is not dangerous for a person to be in a room with a lit bulk candle, no matter how long it burns. This is also a big plus in environmental terms, since the clean flame does not harm the environment (and does not stain the ceilings with soot).

2. Wax sand

can be stored anywhere. As a rule, it is packaged in a bag, which is convenient to move and use at the right time. This is also important because the products do not take up much space and do not stain surrounding objects. It does not break, does not scratch, does not peel, does not deteriorate and does not spontaneously ignite. It's easy to take out and put back in when not needed. 3. Palm candle is odorless. Of course, there are products stuffed with fragrances, but wax sand itself does not smell when burned and stored. While when the paraffin analogue is lit, a weak but unpleasant odor is released, reminiscent of a synthetic substance. 4. A candle made from a palm granulator burns longer. On average, the burning temperature of wax sand is 15-20% lower than that of a paraffin product, so such a candela will delight you with a beautiful, even flame for at least half an hour longer. This is a plus in monetary terms (an hour of burning of such a candela is only 60 kopecks).

5. The bulk candle does not flow or float. It retains an even, aesthetic shape, only decreasing in size during the combustion process. The benefits of palm wax do not end there: they do not go out in windy weather; you can use any fireproof container (glass, vase, jar) for the candle reservoir. But the most interesting thing is that they are very easy to make yourself. You can even create extraordinary colorful patterns by experimenting with mixing your wax granulator. We will talk further about how to make a colored bulk candle. How to get different colors of wax? You can purchase multi-colored palm semi-finished products in a specialized store, which are perfect for use in compiling your creation.

Theoretically, you can color palm wax

yourself at home, either using factory-made colorants or adding home-brewed paint. But in this case, the sand will melt into liquid and you will no longer be able to obtain a granulator for bulk candles. Coloring palm wax is practically no different from a similar procedure with regular paraffin. It is melted, then a colorant is added, the liquid is thoroughly mixed and cooled. There is special equipment that crushes colored wax into fine sand, but it is very expensive and cannot be afforded by the average consumer. Many craftsmen also practice dry painting of granular semi-finished products. To do this, take a pastel of the desired color and white palm sand. The scattered sand is pressed with a colored plate until a colored product is obtained. Then the finished wax is poured into a transparent container and the next batch of workpieces begins to be painted.

The disadvantage of this method is the presence of pastel paint impurities in palm wax , which can affect the physical and chemical properties of the final product (in particular, the candle may ultimately burn worse). We do not recommend using such advice, since such efforts will be in vain and will not bring the desired result. Let's look at how to make colored candles from a ready-made colored sand granulator. Methods for making colored candles. The simplest and most obvious will be the first method. To do this, just insert the wick into a fireproof container, pour in palm sand and light the candle. If you show your imagination and fill the tank with different colored layers in different sequences, you can get a very beautiful souvenir.

There are many ready-made bulk candles in stores , sold in a whiskey glass or in a wine glass. As a rule, a gasket is placed on top, which prevents the semi-finished product from spilling out and mixing. The second, more time-consuming method is as follows. Take a beer or Coca-Cola can, cut off the top part and bend the edges at the cut point. It is important not to leave any sharp edges as they may scratch the candela when removed. Melt the wax in a steam or water bath in any convenient container (it is advisable to have a spout in the container, because we will pour the liquid into the jar). Palm sand significantly loses weight and volume when melted. This is due to the fact that special ingredients are added to it at the factory to make it more voluminous. Stir the warm liquid thoroughly: often chemical additives settle to the bottom of the container, which has both pros and cons.

The advantage will be that in the candle

There will be less chemicals, the disadvantage is that this may cause the color, smell or properties of the wax to disappear. It is advisable to pre-weigh the sand blank for our future candle: the optimal weight will be two hundred to three hundred grams. We stock up on a small piece of wick in advance. We wrap the top of the rope around a pencil, pen or any object of a similar shape. Place the bottom of the wick on the bottom of the jar. Carefully pour the melted liquid into the prepared jar. Try to avoid the formation of cavities or other voids - they will ruin the candle. We impregnate the top of the wick with wax and trim it. After this, let the liquid cool. If the candle cannot be removed after cooling, you need to put it in the freezer and try to remove it again.

In this simple way, we got an excellent natural palm wax candle . It will have almost all the positive qualities of bulk candles and, at the same time, have the advantages of a classic product. We have found that making a loose candle yourself is extremely easy. This unique know-how has already won the trust of many domestic and foreign consumers. You will not regret purchasing a wax granulator for such production. Moreover, having tried to make a loose candle at home at least once, you will probably buy it again, because you will be surprised by its extraordinary practical properties.

Replacing spark plugs and cleaning them in a timely manner with your own hands + video

If you understand to a certain extent the structure of a car, then I think you should understand that spark plugs are a very important component. They play an almost key role in the operation of the engine of any car. By their condition, you can easily determine how well the engine itself works.

If you change them on time and also clean them in a timely manner, your car’s engine will operate at the proper level. So, spark plugs must be used competently, and, as they say, competently.

But such exploitation is practically impossible if you don’t know how they work and what they consist of. You should know all this in order to at least change them in time.

Decorating with real candles

Older children can be encouraged to decorate real paraffin candles. Option one is to decorate the candle with beads and hearts made from paper clips.

An unremarkable colored candle can be turned into a piece of modern design. All you need is thread, beads, paper clips and pliers. The progress of work is shown in the photo.

We string the beads onto a thread and tie each of them. Now we put on the hearts and tie a thread around the candle. An unusual New Year's souvenir is ready.

We change spark plugs. When and why should this be done?

If you know the general principle of operation of any spark plugs, you will be able to respond competently to increased fuel consumption. This knowledge will help you detect some dangerous faults that can directly affect the engine. That is, you simply won’t ruin it, but preserve its “health.”

If you fill in fuel of poor quality, or not what is required specifically for your car, the spark plugs will not last long. With normal use, they last quite a long time. If we measure their service life by mileage indicators, then these figures usually range from 25 to 35 thousand kilometers for almost any car.

How to check spark plugs in the field?

One of the most important parts of your car's electrical system is the spark plugs. These parts ignite the fuel, and if the spark plugs stop working properly, the engine will experience certain problems. The spark plugs themselves do not break so often; most likely, other factors are to blame for the lack of a spark. However, sometimes a candle that has already exhausted its service life cannot properly perform its working functions. Therefore, it is advisable for every driver to know how to check spark plugs on the road without special tools and diagnostic equipment. The best way to check spark plugs is through timely maintenance and regular servicing of the machine.

Every 15,000 kilometers on modern cars, spark plugs are replaced, but some manufacturers set other requirements. Sometimes purchased spark plugs of unknown origin serve normally for 2-3 thousand kilometers, the rest of the time you have to drive intermittently. Spark plugs aren't such an expensive purchase that you risk risking the reliability of your car, so it's best to keep an extra set of spark plugs in your toolbox just in case. Of course, if you have a Japanese or German car of the current year of manufacture at your disposal, such a kit will not help, because in order to replace spark plugs in modern technology you will have to disassemble half of the car.

The first symptoms of faulty spark plugs and lack of spark

The reasons for the failure of spark plugs in a car can be very different. But the symptoms are similar in most cases. The main indicator of the failure of one spark plug is that the engine begins to stall. When such an unpleasant aspect occurs, the power of the unit decreases, consumption increases, and the car shakes a little at idle. All this allows us to conclude that one of the cylinders is not working, in particular because there is no spark at the spark plug. The following symptoms of non-functioning spark plugs are also distinguished:

the car does not start, when trying to start the engine the starter turns smoothly, there is no progress in the ignition;
after starting, 2 or 3 cylinders work for some time, then the fourth one is connected - this is an indicator of failure of the spark plug;
the car constantly became difficult to start, the engine starts only on the third try;
the car has lost power and responsiveness; pressing the gas pedal does not produce the desired effect;
the car stalled during the trip, starting it is difficult or even impossible;
Periodically, during startup, strong pops are heard in the exhaust pipe - this is the fuel that has been pumped up but not burned.

When all the spark plugs do not work, this situation should alert the car owner. Most likely, the reason is not the spark plugs. But if one spark plug refuses to work, you should look at the spark plug itself, as well as at the wire that connects it to the coil. This will help you find out what exactly caused the problem in your car. And if testing sensors, switches and coils in the field is not an easy task, then testing spark plugs is quite possible.

How to check spark plugs without special equipment?

On the road, we often don't have any equipment to test spark plugs. Therefore, you have to make do with traditional methods to check all the subtleties of the car. In particular, in the case of candles, you can use one of the proven testing methods. First, you should unscrew the spark plug and take a closer look at it, obtaining information about its condition. If the spark plug is wet, it floods with gasoline and does not work. A dry spark plug means there is no fuel getting to it or everything is working properly. A black candle wick also indicates a problem. You can check for spark as follows:

unscrew the spark plug and put a high-voltage wire on it so that you can give a spark;
grab the rubber part of the wire with your hand, but under no circumstances grab the metal parts of the spark plug;
place the candle wick at a distance of about 0.5 centimeters from the engine body - any metal part;
Have another person turn the ignition key and try to start the engine within four seconds;
if a spark appears and penetrates the engine body, it means that everything with the spark plugs is in perfect order, you need to look for other problems;
if there is no spark, the spark plug does not work, and other not very pleasant problems are also possible.

If there is a spark, then the engine starting problem is related to the fuel system. If there is no spark, the culprit of your problems is the car's electrical system. These will not necessarily be spark plugs, because the electrical system of a car contains quite a few different elements that can damage the spark plug assembly. You need to check everything to fully ensure that the equipment is working properly. By the way, the easiest way to check whether the spark plugs are working is to replace them with ones that are known to work.

What else could cause the spark plugs to not spark?

If there is no spark, many drivers confidently say that they need to change the spark plugs. But this is not always true. In particular, there are other modules that can affect spark production, so you need to check all the features of the vehicle's electrical system. If we are talking about the fact that the ignition system does not produce a spark, it is necessary to pay special attention to those modules that are responsible for this spark. Among them, you will have to check and suspect a malfunction of the following important machine modules:

high-voltage wires - often this element is the reason for the lack of a spark, the wire can pierce;
ignition coils or distributors on old cars are frequent candidates for replacement and repair;
the switch is a part that rarely raises doubts about its operation; it breaks down not so often, but very unexpectedly;
ignition switch - one of the contacts may come off and not give normal commands to the car engine;
an on-board computer that controls the actions of the vehicle's electrical system, including the ignition.

When to change spark plugs?

Spark plugs must be checked. They do this regularly. The performance quality of any spark plug is determined by the thermal cone of the insulator (its appearance) and the electrodes. If the spark plugs are working normally, then the cone should be clean, without any carbon deposits. Its color can vary, but usually it is an intermediate color from light shades of gray to brown.

If the spark plugs on your car are not working well, this is usually determined by a number of signs.

Soot may appear. If it is wet and black, then the oil level in your car’s crankcase is too high.

Also, this may be a sign of worn piston rings or even cylinders.

If the carbon deposits are black, but already dry, the ignition usually works late.

Early ignition is usually indicated by a dry white insulator.

For any candles, it is important to choose the correct heat value. If you choose it incorrectly, they will not self-clean. So you shouldn’t be surprised at all that they become covered with soot.

Also, in this case, it is quite possible that the insulator will simply collapse. Candles, when self-cleaning from carbon deposits, work for a longer time. At the same time, plaque forms on them much more slowly. This can be achieved if the lower part of the candle cone constantly operates at a temperature within 500-600 degrees Celsius.

The gap level, which is necessarily present between the spark plug electrodes, must always be normal. If this level is violated, the spark plugs will not work properly, and this will definitely lead to other problems.

This level must be monitored, and it must always be within factory standards. If the gap increases, the ignition coil may simply fail. But a small gap means the cylinders are not working properly. Gaps will form, and much more fuel will be consumed.

The gap level can be adjusted with your own hands. To do this, simply bend the side electrode. How much this needs to be done can be determined with a cylindrical probe. In this simple way, the desired gap is achieved, which you must then try to maintain.

Wedding candles

Bulk candles in event decoration are a new trend that allows you to create an incredible atmosphere and make the holiday truly unforgettable!

Some tips for those who want to create a romantic atmosphere
For many, the atmosphere of romance, comfort and warmth is associated with candles, and this is true. Lights burning in the darkness add mystery and tranquility to the space. However, today a more modern and original decor option has appeared that will compete with classic candles - a bulk candle. You create it yourself, simply using your imagination and being inspired by romance.

What is a bulk candle

A bulk candle consists of wax granules and a wick. The granules are poured into any suitable container, ceramic or glass, and a wick is inserted into the center. You can even use ordinary glasses, since the burning fire inside them will look elegant and beautiful.

What is good about a bulk candle?

A bulk candle burns for a very long time, so it will last for a long time. The material for such candles is much more economical than that of classic candles. In addition, the bulk candle takes the shape of a vessel into which the granules are immersed. At the same time, the fire does not affect the entire shape of the candle, so it will always look like new. The wax used in the granules does not emit smoke or odor. Bulk candles can be used repeatedly by simply replacing the filler. But what’s most interesting is that you can create a romantic atmosphere with such candles in the fresh air - the candle is not afraid of the wind, it will not go out. And if a glass accidentally falls from the candle, it will go out instantly, which will prevent it from igniting.

Where to apply

Bulk candles are suitable for decorating your wedding. A candle burning in a glass in the color of your wedding theme will successfully complement the touching atmosphere of the holiday. In the midst of the celebration, you just need to light them, dimming the light. Candles can be used for a small symbolic display when the newlyweds create a home with a candle. You can take the granules with your hands - they are absolutely harmless.

In general, the decor with bulk candles will decorate any holiday, birthday, bachelorette party or wedding anniversary. Candles can not only be purchased, but also rented: this option is very profitable when decorating a celebration. You can create a whole ensemble from bulk candles, using several wicks in one vessel, or making a composition from glasses.

Benefits of bulk candles

Do not spread when burning. They will not stain your coating, because... do not deform and do not flow when burning

Pure fire. An environmentally friendly product that does not emit smoke or odor. Can be used indoors.

They burn for a long time. You don't have to worry about the candles going out before the event is over.

Doesn't go out from the wind. Candles in flasks can be used outdoors; due to the height of the flask, the fire remains protected from the wind.

Free form. Easily transformed into any shape and size. They add chic and uniqueness to the establishment.

Easy to operate. Bulk candles provide endless possibilities for creativity. They are suitable for any level and style of event, and tall floor candles will surprise even the most sophisticated.

Text provided by: Online store “Magic Candles”

Cleaning candles. How to do it?

Cleaning the candles is a must. An ordinary metal brush works well to remove carbon deposits. True, she needs to clean the candles quite carefully. The insulator should not be harmed in this case. If you damage its surface, the spark plug will no longer work.

Chemical cleaning is more effective. To begin, the spark plugs should be thoroughly rinsed in gasoline. This way you will degrease them. Next, they are dried and dipped into a special solution. This is ammonium acetate, concentration 20%. The temperature of this solution should be more than 90 degrees, again on the Celsius scale.

About half an hour will pass, and you can clean the candles. To do this, they no longer take a metal brush, but a nylon one. After cleaning, the candles are washed in plain hot water and dried well again.

Such chemical cleaning should only be done outdoors, because such a solution in a hot state is quite dangerous. In this state, it actively releases vapors, familiar to us, acetic acid.

Cleaning the spark plugs should be done after driving every 10-15 thousand kilometers. If you don’t travel that much even in a year, then you still need to do it once every six months.

Cleaning candles with household chemicals

It happens that candles are covered with a red coating. Gasoline is to blame for this if it contains additives with a metal content higher than normal. This leads to a decrease in the dielectric properties of the entire insulator. In this case, it is simply damaged, and the candle itself becomes unusable.

But, anyway, you don’t need to throw out the candles right away, because such a deposit can be completely “neutralized.” This can be done with household chemicals that contain hydrochloric acid. This is, for example, “Toilet Duckling”, but the marking on it must necessarily be “Active”.

It is necessary to use gloves during such cleaning, because you are still working with hydrochloric acid. You can pour “Duckling” into a plastic bottle, which we cut to the level we need.

Glassware is also suitable for this. Candles are not just thrown into the solution. They are immersed there carefully, always at an angle. The candle skirt should point downwards. The tilt allows the air to completely escape from the candle cavity during this immersion.

Literally 10 minutes will pass, and the coating on the candle will get wet. Further, it can be easily cleaned with a simple toothbrush. But it is quite possible that the deposit will not immediately go away in this short time. Then we do it all again.

But, if such an aggressive agent acts on the spark plug for too long, its anti-corrosion coating may deteriorate. When you do remove the plaque, the remaining “Duckling” must be washed off with water.

When you dry the candles after this, you do not need to do it on a gas burner. Many people think that candles will not be damaged with this drying method. But, this will simply destroy your candles, and all the work on cleaning them will come to naught. It is best to dry them with an ordinary (not even an industrial) hairdryer.

Such cleaning of candles and proper drying of them practically returns them to their original qualities. But, anyway, you will have to change the candles, because any product lasts for a strictly defined time. And when replacing spark plugs, you need to know how to choose them.

Stage one. Preparatory.

Safety first!

⚠️ I would really hate for you to start such a wonderful process comparable to meditation and end it in the burn department. Therefore, knowing how to make candles yourself is great, but it is equally important to know how to make this work bring only pleasure, eliminating and anticipating dangerous work factors.

There should be no children or animals near you. Hot wax, boiling water, a working electric stove - there are too many dangerous factors.
Even if there is no one nearby, be on guard all the time - you are alone with yourself and your loved ones. Be extremely careful while working and make sure you have burn remedy on hand just in case.
Avoid contact of hot wax with water , this is equivalent to water getting into a hot frying pan with oil. Remember how it starts splashing and shooting molten “lava” right at you?!
Wax is flammable, so avoid its contact with fire . Prepare a piece of non-flammable, airtight fabric or a metal/glass lid that you can use to block the access of oxygen to the fire if the unexpected happens.

So, what do we need to make natural candles?

Vestment.

Wear something you don't mind getting dirty.
Dress nicely if you perceive it as magic and art, and not just an ordinary everyday process. And in order not to get dirty, tie a smart apron.

Coconut and soy waxes can be washed off simply with hot water and soap , so in any case, stains from them will not cause you much trouble.

Tuck your hair under a net or scarf to prevent hairs from getting into your candles and to avoid accidentally burning them.

Raw materials: their quantity, quality and cost.

Directly coconut or soy wax/flakes. Vegetable wax can be different - 100% pure or mixed with other botanical waxes to give it the desired properties, for example, subsequently preserving the shape for cast candles. But since we will be making container candles and it is important for us that it is definitely an environmentally friendly product , it is better to take 100% soy or coconut wax (or a pure mixture of them). There are enough brands, choose according to availability. Soy and coconut waxes cost approximately 500 to 1000 rubles, depending on the manufacturer.

So that you have a better understanding of the types and companies of wax, I found a good video review :

Further. Many craftsmen have a question at the very beginning - how much soy or coconut wax is needed for one candle . This is a tricky question, because the answer needs to be clarified: what kind of candle do you want to make?

Very rough calculations are as follows: 20-30 grams per tea; 50 grams for a small candle, like a glass; 100 grams for a small candle, 200 grams for a medium one, and for a large one as much as you have the capacity and imagination. And in a basin you can make a floor coconut candle, for example