When to replace spark plugs?
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 210
Likes: 14
From: VA
Changed mine at 30k because of this...
I was in the office late working on something and heard thunder. Saved my work and ran out the door to try and beat the storm home. About 1/3rd of the way home, I pulled up to a light and noticed the engine was sputtering when applying throttle. First thought was not getting air. Realized it was not stalling out at idle, I managed to pull into a gas station and shut off. I checked to make sure nothing was wrong with the air cleaner, nothing blocking exhaust. The oil pressure gauge was almost at 0 before I shut down so I checked oil pan drain plug to make sure I had not lost all my oil, checked around oil filter. Then as I made my way around the bike I noticed the rear plug wire was hanging loose and that the plug had snapped. The other part was stuck in the boot. Thinking of all my options, I put the wire back on and made sure there was touching of tips. Assessed that while not super secure, hopefully enough to get me home. Rode home without incident, replaced plugs when I got home. I did not beat the storm home.
I had SE plugs I bought a while back. Checked gap, they were at about .033, as someone mentioned earlier the box said to gap at .035 but I brought them both up to .038 based on service manual and the majority of replies on this thread. Thanks guys. Fired her back up and no issues. It is late so I will ride tomorrow and hope everything still works the same if not better.
I was in the office late working on something and heard thunder. Saved my work and ran out the door to try and beat the storm home. About 1/3rd of the way home, I pulled up to a light and noticed the engine was sputtering when applying throttle. First thought was not getting air. Realized it was not stalling out at idle, I managed to pull into a gas station and shut off. I checked to make sure nothing was wrong with the air cleaner, nothing blocking exhaust. The oil pressure gauge was almost at 0 before I shut down so I checked oil pan drain plug to make sure I had not lost all my oil, checked around oil filter. Then as I made my way around the bike I noticed the rear plug wire was hanging loose and that the plug had snapped. The other part was stuck in the boot. Thinking of all my options, I put the wire back on and made sure there was touching of tips. Assessed that while not super secure, hopefully enough to get me home. Rode home without incident, replaced plugs when I got home. I did not beat the storm home.
I had SE plugs I bought a while back. Checked gap, they were at about .033, as someone mentioned earlier the box said to gap at .035 but I brought them both up to .038 based on service manual and the majority of replies on this thread. Thanks guys. Fired her back up and no issues. It is late so I will ride tomorrow and hope everything still works the same if not better.
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