Author Topic: Spark plug health  (Read 15428 times)

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Arizoni

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Reply #30 on: June 19, 2013, 11:33:22 pm
It's possible the 10 percent ethanol used in our fuel is contributing to the problem.
It certainly can and does cause other problems with other parts.

I've used Bosch spark plugs in the two Mercedes I've owned and they seemed to work fine, but they were the single electrode style.

I am surprised that you saw no difference when you used the NGK BPR6ES plug but as you say, your Bosch was working fine.

In my case, my new RE G5 was having misfires at idle speed and when just cruising at a steady 40-45 mph (65-73 kmph).  Changing to the NGK totally eliminated those issues.
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Reply #31 on: June 20, 2013, 12:35:10 am
over the years we toyota mechanics have been pulling bosch plugs out of 22r/22re engines due to poor performance. people get them for cheap at the parts store and can't figure out why their "home tune-up " failed. as to the screw tips, the nd plugs we get from toyota don't come off. don't know why.
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Blairio

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Reply #32 on: June 20, 2013, 01:08:59 pm
I ran my electra EFI for about 1300 miles on the original Bosch plug.  The bike ran fine once warmed up, but was reluctant to idle from cold until the engine had run for a couple of minutes. I changed from the original Bosch to the recommended NGK, and the difference when idling was like night and day. It will tickover from cold without help, and the tickover is generally much more even.

The other thing I noticed was that the Bosch plug (twin electrode one) looked far older than a plug that has covered only 1300 miles should. I have taken spark plugs out of my car after 10,000 miles that look better than it. From now on it is NGKs for this Enfield.


barenekd

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Reply #33 on: June 20, 2013, 05:27:54 pm
I changed my Bosch out at about 250 miles. The NGK was still good at 15,000 miles when I changed it because I had more. The idling was still uneven at first, but a lot better than the Bosch. It improved as the miles went on. It was a non issue after about 1500 miles.
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Royalista

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Reply #34 on: June 21, 2013, 01:09:58 am
Thanks for the replies so far.

I'd like to know whether all who had issues with the Bosch plug run on ethanol added fuel (aka bio fuel i believe).
Eventually other suggestions for the malperformance.

I also understand that not allowing the engine to warm up as in start and ride off will cause erratic behaviour. It will then take longer than the regular 90 seconds for the ecu to get its bearings right, all the while running way too rich.
Although I cannot understand how this would lead to a different result in both plugs.

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heloego

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Reply #35 on: June 21, 2013, 03:11:20 am
Most all the fuel in New Mexico is 10% ethanol.
I fill at a Chevron station, but there isn't a placard declaring the 10% dilution. It is well documented that the 10% dilution adversely affects power. The police here draw from their own reserve and refuse to add the ethanol because of that.

I changed out to a NGK plug just after the 300 mile service and there was a big improvement in idling and power.
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Subbu-500

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Reply #36 on: June 24, 2018, 08:18:17 am
Hi guys, I pulled out the main spark plug of my 2014 uce b5(carb) for the first time since it was changed I don't remember when (2016 may be)... I must have done around 10000 miles since the change. How does it look? I could not pull out the second plug as it is so deep down and I don't have the tools needed.
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Subbu-500

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Reply #37 on: June 24, 2018, 08:37:28 am
I cleaned the plug as well as I could and saw this mess when I went back to put the plug back where it belonged :-[.. Why is there so much oil ? I will clean the area for now... But please do let me know if any/all the seals or gaskets need to be replaced
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heloego

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Reply #38 on: June 24, 2018, 01:56:54 pm
Looks like leaking rocker cover seals. You most likely need to retorque the screws.
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Bert Remington

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Reply #39 on: June 24, 2018, 03:30:05 pm
Subbu-500 -- your spark plug looks great.  I think its the Iridium version -- correct?

Here's my copper NGK at 2K miles.  Like yours, lean and clean. :)  Regular SoCal 87 octane gas from name brand stations; Peter's dual fin intake manifold; MSD spark plug wire and cap; surface roads averaging 50mph indicated; and maybe 12 freeway miles so far.  My version of Gremlin's ignition booster in near future.  The RE cost twice my BMW but my grin is twice as wide.
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hpwaco

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Reply #40 on: June 24, 2018, 04:03:06 pm
See Arizona's post (reply 9) under slow oil leak for info on rocker box seals and not over torquing.


Subbu-500

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Reply #41 on: June 24, 2018, 04:51:58 pm
Quote
Subbu-500 -- your spark plug looks great.  I think its the Iridium version -- correct?/quote]
Hi Bert, glad to know the plug is in Good shape  ;D, I don't know the first thing about plugs. However, mine is the regular Bosch platinum variant.
Quote
Looks like leaking rocker cover seals. You most likely need to retorque the screws./quote]
Thank you Heloego, I will have this checked and rectified... At first look and from the picture, I thought there was fresh oil. But most of it was kind of baked in and has a glaze to it somehow and I couldn't clean the area much. Anyway, as long as it is just a stain and nothing to worry... It's almost completely out of sight from the outside.
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Bmadd34

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Reply #42 on: June 24, 2018, 05:08:14 pm
I'm having a hard time locating the NGK plug you guys are recommending.
BPR6ES is the plug that Honda and some newer model Kohler lawn mower engines run stock. Any lawn mower shop will carry them.
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Arizoni

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Reply #43 on: June 25, 2018, 02:16:31 am
Subbu-500

Your plug looks like it is good for another 10,000 km.
Except for scraping off a bit of the carbon it doesn't need any cleaning.

The oily dirty area is due to the rocker arm covers slightly leaking

My post about fixing these leaks was mentioned above by hpwaco but to save you time, follow this link. :)

https://forum.classicmotorworks.com/index.php/topic,23407.msg301291.html#msg301291
Jim
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hpwaco

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Reply #44 on: June 25, 2018, 03:40:27 am
Try NGK 7131.  And/or check on eBay.