Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
| Both sides previous revision Previous revision Next revision | Previous revision Last revision Both sides next revision | ||
|
techtalk:ref:genmsr02 [2019/09/25 06:01] hippysmack [Where to read them] |
techtalk:ref:genmsr02 [2022/02/11 22:42] hippysmack [Reading Spark Plugs] |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
| The difference is due to variations in the air cooling, turbulence in the manifold and differences in exhaust lengths. ((FoxsterUK of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=461641)) \\ | The difference is due to variations in the air cooling, turbulence in the manifold and differences in exhaust lengths. ((FoxsterUK of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=461641)) \\ | ||
| + | ====== Quick Check Visuals ====== | ||
| + | Examine plugs as soon as they have been removed. \\ | ||
| + | Deposits on the plug base are an indication of the plug efficiency and are a guide to the general condition of rings, valves carburetor and ignition system. ((1986 HD Dealer FSM pg 7-13)) \\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | * A wet black or a shiny deposit on the plug base, electrode or ceramic insulator tip indicates an oil fouled plug. \\ May be caused by worn rings, pistons or valves. | ||
| + | * Dry fluffy or sooty black deposits indicate a too rich air/fuel mix or too long periods of idling. | ||
| + | * A light brown glassy deposit indicates an overheated plug. \\ May be accompanied by a cracked insulator or erosion of the electrode. Caused by a too lean air/fuel mix, a hot running engine, valves not seating or improper ignition timing. \\ The glassy deposit is a conductor when hot and may cause high speed mis-firing. | ||
| + | * White, yellow or light tan to rusty brown powdery deposits indicates balanced combustion. \\ The deposits may be cleaned off at regular intervals. | ||
| ====== Before Reading Them ====== | ====== Before Reading Them ====== | ||
| Line 32: | Line 40: | ||
| * The best readings are taken by running the vehicle at sustained speeds in the range that you are checking. \\ (I.E., “Wide Open”, Mid Range”, “At or near Idle”) \\ Then disengaging the clutch, killing the engine cleanly, and coasting to a stop. | * The best readings are taken by running the vehicle at sustained speeds in the range that you are checking. \\ (I.E., “Wide Open”, Mid Range”, “At or near Idle”) \\ Then disengaging the clutch, killing the engine cleanly, and coasting to a stop. | ||
| * Overall readings can still be taken without a clean kill and stop, even without new plugs. \\ This is still very accurate, and one of the best tune up tools you have. \\ Just make sure that you have good plugs and by keeping an eye on them as you make changes you can read the effect that the changes made. \\ This just requires a mental track record or a written one. | * Overall readings can still be taken without a clean kill and stop, even without new plugs. \\ This is still very accurate, and one of the best tune up tools you have. \\ Just make sure that you have good plugs and by keeping an eye on them as you make changes you can read the effect that the changes made. \\ This just requires a mental track record or a written one. | ||
| + | |||
| ====== The Plug Chop Method ====== | ====== The Plug Chop Method ====== | ||
| Line 75: | Line 84: | ||
| We are only concerned with a good sound engine for fine tuning purposes. \\ | We are only concerned with a good sound engine for fine tuning purposes. \\ | ||
| - | For reading WOT position, inspect the positive electrode and the last 1/4 of the ceramic insulator. \\ | + | For reading WOT position, inspect the positive electrode and the last 1/4 of the ceramic insulator. ((http://www.keihincarbs.com/tips/gate.html)) \\ |
| Best power will usually result in a very light tan colored insulator tip and dark colored ring around the tip of the electrode. \\ | Best power will usually result in a very light tan colored insulator tip and dark colored ring around the tip of the electrode. \\ | ||
| The electrode itself should have fairly sharp edges. \\ | The electrode itself should have fairly sharp edges. \\ | ||
| Example: \\ | Example: \\ | ||
| - | If the ceramic insulator has a nice tan coloring but the electrode has a white ring around the tip (and plug is in correct heat range); | + | If the ceramic insulator has a nice tan coloring but the electrode has a white ring around the tip (and plug is in correct heat range), then you can easily run a size larger main jet. \\ |
| - | Then you can easily run a size larger main jet. \\ | + | |
| ====== How to Read Them ====== | ====== How to Read Them ====== | ||
| \\ | \\ | ||
