Spark plug replacement air compressor

[1leglance]

I was just watching some video from 4wd Action Mag out of Oz when they showed a guy with an old Jeep who had a device that temp replaced a spark plug and used a hose to the tire for an air compressor.
The engine piston was the compressor part.
Very Very old school type thing. Of course modern engines might get sensor warnings from unburned fuel and all. But something new to me.

 

[jcbrandon]

Those devices are sometimes called "chuffers." I've never personally used one. But I have heard others, mostly old timers, swear by them. I also think they might cause problems with a computerized engine. Anybody know for certain?

 

[JIMBO]

:safari-rig::safari-rig::wings: It's called a Chuffer pump, because of the sound it makes

It doesn't draw any chamber air, it has an outside ball valve, that reciprocates with each compression stroke

Those devices are sometimes called "chuffers." I've never personally used one. But I have heard others, mostly old timers, swear by them. I also think they might cause problems with a computerized engine. Anybody know for certain?

Very slow, but would last FOREVER, only one moving part (the ball)

I wish I knew what I did with mine

:costumed-smiley-007:smiley_drive: JIMBO

 

[HenryJ]

Wow, that brings back memories. I had one and may still have the valve around somewhere. I would sure hate to have to pull a plug on mine now. In the old trucks you had room to crawl into the engine compartment and pull a plug with an open end wrench. Today you need a special thin wall socket, universals and an extra wrist half way down your forearm.

 

[chuck45]

I had a chuffer back in the 70's. It was ssslllooowww! I think they were designed for multi-cylinder motor cycles with relatively small tires.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I've got one that I used a couple of times on my old Land Cruiser, never in the field, rather just playing around in the garage. It came in the glovebox and had to be put to the test. Its been ten years since I've tried it so my memories are jaded but I remember slow and noisy

 

[chuck45]

I've got one that I used a couple of times on my old Land Cruiser, never in the field, rather just playing around in the garage. It came in the glovebox and had to be put to the test. Its been ten years since I've tried it so my memories are jaded but I remember slow and noisy

Yeah, that was back in the day when there weren't a lot of options for airing up. There were no power tanks, no engine driven OBA and the few electric pumps were small, slow and cheesy; more suited for beachballs than tires. We are fortunate today.

 

[Antichrist]

Hey, I had engine driven OBA on my 1953 deuce and a half.

 

[roscoFJ73]

So they must fill your tyre with an air/fuel mix? I suppose you could use it on a diesel if you removed the glow plug

I remember old trucks had these in oz. Mainly used for repairing tyres in remote areas

 

[Tony LEE]

So they must fill your tyre with an air/fuel mix? I suppose you could use it on a diesel if you removed the glow plug

I remember old trucks had these in oz. Mainly used for repairing tyres in remote areas

Just air.

I used one a few times (78 RangeRover) over 10 years and they did the job.

 

[jesusgatos]

Hey, I had engine driven OBA on my 1953 deuce and a half.

Yeah, 90+PSI & about 7cfm. I've been using it to power everything from grease-guns to paint guns, as I'm overhauling Mah Deuce. Sounds like a cool gizmo, but I can burn gasoline without any spark plugs so...

 

[chuck45]

The compression of the engine powered the pump but it sucked outside air so there was no air fuel mix being pumped. I carried one - but can you say slow! They were best for airing up motorcycle tires and then you had the thought that a hand pump might be faster.

 

[michaelgroves]

They were pretty much the only option for "OBA", unless you had air brakes. What I remember most about using mine was how difficult it was to remove - HOT HOT HOT! The hose was attached to the "plug" with a knurled screw-on fitting, so the plug couldd be removed with a socket. But I still always seemed to end up with a burnt knuckle or two!

 

[Robert Bills]

I still have the "chuffer" that was part of the tool kit in my family's jeep during the mid-1960s. I pulled it out this morning, cleaned it up, and inspired by this thread, actually used it. Still works after all these years. Back in the day it was one of the only practical options for airing up tires on the trail. I'm putting it in my jeep's toolbox - even though I have OBA it's good to have an emergency backup that takes up so little space.

 

[Strizzo]

seems like you could canibalize a compression tester to make your own if you wanted. would probably need to be able to pull the injector plug for that cylinder in order to not be pumping fuel/air.

one other concern would be if the vehicle has aluminum heads, they don't like having the plugs changed while the motor is hot. you'd have a lot bigger problem that a flat tire if you boogered up a sparkplug hole.