Water In Spark Plugs (How to Resolve It)

Having water in your spark plug can be problematic. It will not only disrupt the functionality of your car. However, it keeps you on the edge of your seat when it comes to your car’s condition.

So you might be wondering, Why is there water in spark plugs?

There may be water in your spark plug due to a head gasket leak. It may also be due to an intake manifold leak if you’re lucky. You can resolve this issue by thoroughly drying out the excess water. Then clean the spark plug and the spark plug well.

However, in order to accomplish it properly, you must go into the specifics.

You’ll learn all you need to know about changing your spark plugs in the sections below. So if you’re interested, keep on reading.

Why Is There Water in Your Spark Plug?

Only the inside of the cylinder can flood a spark plug housing.

A coolant pressure system test should be performed to check for head gasket leaks. Search for a milky residue in the oil that indicates the presence of coolant.

If the test fails or coolant is detected in the oil, the head gasket must be replaced. Otherwise, an intake manifold gasket would suffice.

We will tell you how to get rid of this excess water in the next section.

How to Get Rid of Water from Spark Plugs

Getting water in your spark plug can be troublesome. You have to address the issue ASAP, or you may face trouble starting the car.

We’ll tell you how to remove water from a spark plug well. Check it out-

Required Materials

To resolve your water plugs problem you will need a few necessary tools. They are-

Safety gloves
Spark plug socket
Penetrating oil
A piece of cloth/rag
Large screwdriver
Small brush
Hairdryer
Ratchet
Wire brush
Big ratchet extension
Anti-seize compound
Bicycle air pump

Got your tools ready? Great! Let’s get started with the tutorial.

Step 1: Open the Hood And Remove the Sparkplug Wire

Open the hood while the engine is cooled down. An active engine can take up to 30 minutes to cool down.

There will be water around the well of the spark plug. Regardless, remove the spark plug wire. With your hand, grab the wire by the boot. Then twist the boot back and forth to pull the wire away from the spark plug.

Step 2: Get Rid of Excess Water

Using a clean piece of cloth, soak up as much water as possible from the well. If required, use a large screwdriver and a piece of cloth. Then wipe the piece of fabric around the spark plug thoroughly. The screwdriver will help to reach tough spots.

After you’re done wiping the water with a cloth, use a hairdryer. This will help to further evaporate the water. Blow hot air in the spark plug well with the hairdryer. Then allow the well to cool.

Step 3: Get Rid of Extra Dirt Particles

With constant use, your spark plug well accumulates particles such as dirt, grease, and carbon deposits.

To remove such particles, blow cool air around the spark plug well. For this, you can use your hairdryer with a chilly air setting. Or use a standard bicycle air pump.

Check out some of our recommended bicycle air pumps below if needed-

If necessary, reach down into the well with a little brush with a large handle. This will help dislodge the debris adhered around it.

Step 4: Remove And Clean Spark Plug

With a spark plug socket, big ratchet extension, and ratchet, remove the spark plug.

Looking for a ratchet? Well, take a look at our suggestions for strong and flexible ones-

Then clean the spark plug thread and body with a wire brush. Apply a thin coat of anti-seize chemical to the threads after that. The plug will be easier to remove the next time it needs to be replaced as a result of this.

Now, clean the spark plug thoroughly to eliminate any foreign particles you couldn’t remove before. Verify that the particles do not enter the combustion chamber.

Step 5: Use Lubricant

Apply a few drops of penetrating oil to the cylinder head’s well threads. This will aid in the removal of any remaining moisture and facilitate the reinstallation of the spark plug.

However, make certain to use high-quality ones. Here are a few that you can try-

These penetrating oils are sure to make your installation process easier. They’ll also ensure that there is no remaining moisture.

Step 6: Put Everything Back in Place

Using only the socket and ratchet extension, insert the spark plug into the spark plug socket. Then properly tighten the plug.

sing the ratchet, turn the spark plug three-quarters of a turn clockwise. Don’t overtighten the spark plug to avoid damaging the threads.

By hand, place the spark plug wire over the spark plug. Close the hood after making sure the metal connector within the wire boot snaps in place over the spark plug connector.

That’s it! If you made it this far, give a pat on your back. Following these instructions will allow you to drain water from your spark plugs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Can water ruin a spark plug?

Answer: Not really. All they do is get wet. However, it can lead to a bigger problem if you don’t resolve it. The water shouldn’t ever reach the spark plug’s end. That is the end inside the combustion center. If it does, you most likely have a blown head gasket or a block or head crack.

Question: What are the symptoms of a wet spark plug?

Answer: Dry fouling (top) shows as a sooty, black build-up. The appearance of wet fouling (bottom) is wet and sometimes oily. Both of these issues can result in poor starting and misfiring.

Question: What causes wet spark plug?

Answer: A wet spark plug suggests it hasn’t been firing. Because of engine flooding or a broken ignition cord. Another cause can be a conductive path to ground provided by dirt or moisture on the outside of the spark plug.

Final Words

Now you know the answer to water in spark plugs?. So you’ll be able to resolve this issue all by yourself. We hope you found this article helpful. Thank you for being patient and staying with us till the end.

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Rob Dahm

My name is Rob Dham. I am the founder & managing editor of greaseandgears.com. I am trying to offer invaluable insights and solutions to everyday vehicle-related challenges.