pfrederi 20,654 #1 Posted April 22 My older brother lives in Maine he has serious mobility issues and lately a bit of confusion. A few years ago I set him up with Charger 12 ( @953 nut should recognize) that he uses to move his boat trailer around and small trailer for branches etc. no mowing and it sits all winter unused. This year it wouldn't start. He has a young caregiver and he and she were trying to get it going. We had several long phone calls. It would pop and sputter on Carb Cleaner but not run. Then it stopped doing that. Worked through checking carb bowl for fuel, disconnecting fuel line to check pump output. . In the midst of all this the coil wire got knocked off (breakerless system) took a couple calls to run that down) had fuel and spark plug tester showed a flash. Yesterday got new plug and now she runs!!!. Had then send me picture of the old plug. I am used to seeing carbon build up (I have a couple oil burners) and other build up but not sure what I am seeing here. He uses stabil and the last couple years thinks he uses non e gas (his memory is not that great) 6 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 79,116 #2 Posted April 22 Crusty oil carbon gunkies. In the past we used to change plugs every 5 or 10 years, or more. Lately? More in the range of two, three years max. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sqrlgtr 3,015 #3 Posted April 22 11 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Crusty oil carbon gunkies. plug probably wouldn't look near as bad if it got run more. Big difference between picking up sticks and mowing wide open 3/4hrs straight. 21 minutes ago, pfrederi said: A few years ago I set him up with Charger 12 very cool. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 20,654 #4 Posted April 22 You are correct I doubt it ever really gets fully warmed up. If it was a Champion H10 my first step would have been new plug. Guess i will send him a new plug every spring. 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 46,834 #5 Posted April 22 Send him Autolite 216 And have her get some Seafoam to put in the tank. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 12,227 #6 Posted April 22 4 minutes ago, squonk said: Send him Autolite 216 And have her get some Seafoam to put in the tank. I believe the Autolite plug is a slightly hotter heat range - that will help. So would a good old fashioned anti-fouling female to male plug extender. Dad's 702 uses oil and will foul the plug after about a 1/2 hour of WOT use. Runs fine till then. Shut it off and the plug arcs to ground thur the buildup, preventing a re-start. Pull the plug, blast the business end with carb cleaner spray, reinstall, good to go.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 20,654 #7 Posted April 22 (edited) It was an Autolite 216... I haven't used Champions in years. I sent him a NGK B-2 this time. It lasted 5 years...guess not to bad for that kind of usage... Edited April 22 by pfrederi 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sqrlgtr 3,015 #8 Posted April 22 3 hours ago, pfrederi said: I sent him a NGK B-2 this time My brand of choice. Went to these years ago because they were easier on the threads of the VW bugs aluminum heads and now try to run them in everything if/when I can. Champions is my last choice when shopping for spark plugs. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 11,515 #9 Posted April 22 7 hours ago, ri702bill said: . So would a good old fashioned anti-fouling female to male plug extender. Bill, enlighten me on this old fashioned trick. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 46,834 #10 Posted April 22 8 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said: Bill, enlighten me on this old fashioned trick. Moves the spark plug away from the combustion chamber to hopefully keep the electrode out of the oil. Have to be careful on car engines. I 've seen them burn pistons. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 12,227 #11 Posted April 22 (edited) Exactly. My 1st car was a 57 Chevy 210 with a 283 V8. The #6 press fit piston wrist pin unpressed itself & wore a 3/32" deep groove into the cylinder wall. I used one on that cylinder & 40 wt oil. Kept a spare "clean" plug, socket & ratchet in the glovebox. Changed the plug & recycled it daily. The joys of being 18 with a $120 first car. Edited April 22 by ri702bill 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 66,541 #12 Posted April 22 10 hours ago, pfrederi said: I set him up with Charger 12 ( @953 nut should recognize) Much like Ed's Downsizing post here, when I went to look at that black beauty I wasn't looking for a tractor to purchase, I was helping a friend's neighbor get it running. A few minutes later it was running and he offered it to me at a good price. Got the trailer and drug it home wondering why I had bought it. Passed it on to Paul @pfrederi at a reasonable price and now it is living a life of luxury. Thanks for the update Paul. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ineedanother 2,487 #13 Posted April 23 (edited) My guess would be that the plug and head were a bit carboned up and then flooded badly when the plug wire got knocked off which got you what you see on that plug in that picture. I would bet that it smoked a bit when it got running and that the new plug looks much better now. Edited April 23 by ineedanother 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Bill 633 936 #14 Posted April 23 20 hours ago, squonk said: Seafoam to put in the tank. I recently ran into Pri-G fuel treatment. Claims to be better than Seafoam. Waiting for delivery. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 46,834 #15 Posted April 23 15 minutes ago, Wild Bill 633 said: I recently ran into Pri-G fuel treatment. Claims to be better than Seafoam. Waiting for delivery. I know Pri G is better for fuel storage, but I don't how well it will clean a carb. That's why I mentioned the Seafoam. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 6,723 #16 Posted April 24 (edited) On 4/22/2026 at 9:26 AM, ebinmaine said: Crusty oil carbon gunkies. In the past we used to change plugs every 5 or 10 years, or more. Lately? More in the range of two, three years max. Do you get a nice tan color on your plugs Eric? It has been a while for me. Trying original plugs to see the a difference? I believe the carb is fine. I have them running good with very little back fire after the engine worms up. So I think that is good. Edited April 24 by Retired Wrencher Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 66,541 #17 Posted April 24 55 minutes ago, Retired Wrencher said: get a nice tan color on your plugs I haven't seen that nice tan color on plugs since the lead was taken out of the gasoline. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 6,723 #18 Posted April 24 Ok thanks Richard. Thanks for the info. I was just wondering about this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Bill 633 936 #19 Posted April 26 On 4/23/2026 at 6:24 AM, squonk said: I know Pri G is better for fuel storage, but I don't how well it will clean a carb. That's why I mentioned the Seafoam. I contacted Pri-G and asked them about it's cleaning ability. They emailed me a full list of benefits, more than what is on their website. On the list it states "Cleans fuel systems and components." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
