spark plugs
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 83
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From: Door County, WI
spark plugs
So I pulled my plugs to see what is going on with my popping and such. Here is a pic of my rear plug. The front one didn't look anything like this. It was staring to get the tan color on the center but black around the body of the plug, or as some call the face. The rear one is my concern. Why would only half be black? Could this be the cause of my popping and not the carb? I was told by a DIY harlel "tech" to go leaner, that someone may have jetted to high for the exhaust and that it has a stock air filter. I know most of us are the di-it-yourself guys. I don't want to go to a dealer if I can fix this myself. I fix cars for Ford for a living and I know the feeling when you can fix it yourself and not pay $85 an hour. HELP!!
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 26
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From: Connecticut
Hi Essential,
Sorry to recycle a post, but, I was having the same problem, and this might help you.
"Hey man, I had the exact same issue on my FXR. After about 6 weeks of breaking my stones, I found the problem by accident.
Behind my coil, there were 2 wires (not the plug wires, there are 2 others) turned out they were severely loose holding onto the posts. I pulled them off and lightly clamped them with needle nose pliers until they just barely fit on them posts and were very tight fitting. Haven't had the problem since.
Not saying this is definitely what it is, just saying, it can't hurt to check. I would be out riding enjoying life, then it would start coughing, spitting sputtering, then all would be fine again.
Hope this info helps, because it's the simple things that seem to help the most."
During this issue I was having, I was blowing plugs like crazy, so, maybe it'll help, maybe it won't. Just thought I'd try.
Keep us posted as to what the solution was.
Sorry to recycle a post, but, I was having the same problem, and this might help you.
"Hey man, I had the exact same issue on my FXR. After about 6 weeks of breaking my stones, I found the problem by accident.
Behind my coil, there were 2 wires (not the plug wires, there are 2 others) turned out they were severely loose holding onto the posts. I pulled them off and lightly clamped them with needle nose pliers until they just barely fit on them posts and were very tight fitting. Haven't had the problem since.
Not saying this is definitely what it is, just saying, it can't hurt to check. I would be out riding enjoying life, then it would start coughing, spitting sputtering, then all would be fine again.
Hope this info helps, because it's the simple things that seem to help the most."
During this issue I was having, I was blowing plugs like crazy, so, maybe it'll help, maybe it won't. Just thought I'd try.
Keep us posted as to what the solution was.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 7
From: Southwest Florida
So I pulled my plugs to see what is going on with my popping and such. Here is a pic of my rear plug. The front one didn't look anything like this. It was staring to get the tan color on the center but black around the body of the plug, or as some call the face. The rear one is my concern. Why would only half be black? Could this be the cause of my popping and not the carb? I was told by a DIY harlel "tech" to go leaner, that someone may have jetted to high for the exhaust and that it has a stock air filter. I know most of us are the di-it-yourself guys. I don't want to go to a dealer if I can fix this myself. I fix cars for Ford for a living and I know the feeling when you can fix it yourself and not pay $85 an hour. HELP!!
Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 7
From: Southwest Florida
I'm serious about the exhaust question. Your valves overlap. You know this. As the Intake Valve is opening the Exhaust Valve is closing -- Not closed. This allows for what is called 'inertial scavenging' and helps fill the combustion chamber with a new air/fuel charge.
If you've got exhaust gases not doing what they're supposed to, too much turbulence, too little velocity and not helping pull the new air/fuel charge into the combustion chamber, then the motor is going to fire before the air/fuel charge has had a chance to thoroughly mix and move throughout the combustion chamber.
One side rich, the other side -- Not so much.
Improper exhaust could also create a reversion wave slamming into a still open exhaust valve. But that confuses me.
Not saying that's the answer. Just saying it's something to consider, that's all.
If you've got exhaust gases not doing what they're supposed to, too much turbulence, too little velocity and not helping pull the new air/fuel charge into the combustion chamber, then the motor is going to fire before the air/fuel charge has had a chance to thoroughly mix and move throughout the combustion chamber.
One side rich, the other side -- Not so much.
Improper exhaust could also create a reversion wave slamming into a still open exhaust valve. But that confuses me.
Not saying that's the answer. Just saying it's something to consider, that's all.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,403
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From: Southwest Florida
They shouldn't be causing this problem, then. Unless they're way big or way wrong.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 449
Likes: 1
From: The Mohawk Trail
Assuming thet the popping is in the exhaust and not the intake...
Did you check for air leaks around the rear cylinder/exhaust. Excessive lean conditions often will cause deceleration popping, as can air getting into the exhaust system.
Did you check for air leaks around the rear cylinder/exhaust. Excessive lean conditions often will cause deceleration popping, as can air getting into the exhaust system.
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Door County, WI
I did replace the intake gaskets since they were leaking. sparayed carb clean at them and the bike stalled. replced them and still there. Will check exhaust. The front pipes are stock with the cross over pipe down by the trans. What would be a good tool for checking exhaust leaks? Could the chalk dust thing work? Maybe some soap water? don't really see any black carbon on the heads.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 449
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From: The Mohawk Trail
Trouble with trying soapy water is the heat. Could also be a leak thats not noticeable with the bike at rest. If you are sure the gaskets are good I'd visually check for a good square seat and stud torque, just in case the pipe isn't flexing under deceleration or something weird like that.
Stage II
Joined: Jul 2010
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off topic
this is off topic but my battery tender is saying my battery is charged all the way and all the lights work and horn and everything. but it wont turn over not even the click click if the starter as if the battery was just to low. are there any suggestions on what else it could be? im thinking the battery may just be shot and wont hold a high enough charge.