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Spark plug oily as hell

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Old Jun 1, 2020 | 12:00 PM
  #1  
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Default Spark plug oily as hell

Spark plug gap almoat closed and covered in oil.
97 FXDWG
Bikes been sitting for 3 or 4 weeks while I was trying to figure out why it wasnt starting. Ignition sensor was melted. I replaced it with oem and made sure timing was exactly the same. Took it for a 20 min ride, after some terrible sputtering, backfire without touching the throttle, and terrible engine shaking, I came home pulled the plugs and this is what I see. Rear plug smashed almost to closed gap after being at .40 before the ride.

*I did a compression test last week and got 97psi on the front cylinder (went up to 120 when about a teaspoon oil was added) rear was 110 & 115. Oil had no effect on rear cylinder compression readings


 
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Old Jun 1, 2020 | 12:11 PM
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Possibly excessive carbon on the piston causing the plug issue. You could have a broken oil ring or the ring gaps somehow managed to align themselves. Maybe a leaking valve guide as well. I would do a leak down test which might help to isolate the cause of the oil in the combustion chamber.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2020 | 07:45 PM
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From: Masshole
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Sure you are using the right plugs? Could be too long and getting hit by the piston.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2020 | 08:49 PM
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100% sure. RN12YC. From HD dealership.

Originally Posted by chopper_man
Sure you are using the right plugs? Could be too long and getting hit by the piston.
 
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Old Jun 2, 2020 | 07:24 AM
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Unless you bent that plug, something hit it while it was in the engine.

Any missing screws in the air filter backing plate?

If it were mine, I would remove the cylinder head.

Leak down test or compression test first, on both cylinders (good standard practice).*

*Edit: saw that you have already performed compression test.
 

Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Jun 2, 2020 at 07:27 AM.
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Old Jun 2, 2020 | 08:51 AM
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From: Masshole
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How long have you owned the bike? Have you ever replaced the plugs before? I ask because if the previous owner did engine work, ie high dome pistons, stroked etc the plugs may be wrong or even need to be indexed based on the piston.

If you've had it for a while and have changed the plugs before then all bets are off. Put a bore scope in the plug hole and see what's going on in there. As another posted said, may need to pull the head.
 
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