Weird smell after plugs/wires install

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Sep 23, 2021 | 08:42 PM

DeeRoe

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Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2005

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From: SE SC

Weird smell after plugs/wires install

Just replaced plugs and wires on ‘19 FLHRXS. Dielectric on the wires. Anti-seize on the plug threads. Did about 100 miles today, and at every stop light I got a weird, almost electrical insulation burning smell…..but not quite….can’t really explain the odor, but it’s there. Traced the plug wires….no melting or pinching. No codes popping up. Bike runs and sounds great. No signs of anything leaking. All fluids are good. WTF?? Is it the anti seize I put on the plugs?….would it take that long to burn off?? Only thing I can think of is to take the tank off again, and look at all the wires down the backbone…..maybe I accidentally caused some wires to rub, but wouldn’t that cause something to “fry” and not work? Weird…..never had this happen before. Any ideas?

Sep 23, 2021 | 08:47 PM

brakeless

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: May 2017

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From: NorCal

Cooking antisieze will stink. But you would have to put a ton on it. Don't know what's going on with your's but new rubber smells pretty bad too.

Sep 24, 2021 | 04:57 AM

DeeRoe

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Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2005

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From: SE SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by brakeless

Cooking antisieze will stink. But you would have to put a ton on it. Don't know what's going on with your's but new rubber smells pretty bad too.

didn’t use a ton, but how long would it stink for? Never had it stink before…..

Sep 24, 2021 | 05:36 AM

robwlf10

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Joined: Sep 2020

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From: phila

had the same thing happen to my fatty when i changed wires and all..
guess new rubber on the wires smells a bit when they heat up , they stunk when i took them from the box

few long rides and it goes away, after some heat cycles

Sep 24, 2021 | 05:53 AM

DeeRoe

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Road Warrior

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From: SE SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by robwlf10

That was a thought, but never had it happen before….weird…..must be “made in china” wires.

Sep 24, 2021 | 06:47 AM

bustert

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Joined: Aug 2008

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what type of anti-seize? they make a special product for plugs and it takes only 1 small dot just below the electrode to do the trick. steel plug and aluminum heads and certain compounds can cause a plug seizure.