My plugs show no sign of burning, pre-ignition, mechanical damage, etc. They are just black and oily.
Seems like I've fouled my new set of plugs.
Can I clean and reuse 'em?
Also, no kidding, does somebody have the torque specifications for 3rd Gen Magna spark plugs? I'm not sure I got my last set seated to spec.
Now, what's it fouled with? Gas? Oil? Combination?
ReplyDeleteAre they fouled all the same, or are just a few fouled?
Have you done a valve adjust and a compression check yet?
When it does run, do you have smoke coming out the pipes? If it smokes,
what color? Does it stay the same, regardless of load, speed and rpm?
Inquiring minds and all that.
Black smoke. All fouled the same. Can't tell what it's fouled with. It's
ReplyDeleteblack and wet. Not dry and crusty. Haven't checked compression, valve
clearances, carbs.
Have run it too long on choke (based on info I've received about 3rd Gen
Magnas here and elsewhere). Backfires when warming up. (On releasing
throttle).
It does not seem to burn oil. It seems to belch out really rich black
exhaust.
I think you are jousting with windmills. You have to get out
ReplyDeleteand ride the dmned thing. If you can't do that, I suggest leave it
alone until you can.
Trying to figure out what is wrong with it without giving it a
proper chance is going to wear you out.
Just my two cents.
Black smoke = fuel. Blue(-ish) smoke = oil. White smoke = antifreeze.
ReplyDeleteGreen smoke = The Green Goblin! Run!
Look, if this ran well before it's a 100:1 that it's fuel related
(although new sparkies hardly ever hurts).
Backfires when warming up = too lean. Read below.
Remember this:
backfire when hot == too rich.
backfire when cold == too lean
If they are black and wet with no deposits they aren't getting hot
enough. If they aren't getting hot enough, it's because combustion is
"wrong" (too rich or too lean) [Yes, Virginia, while lean usually means
"hotter" if it's too lean it won't even light off properly meaning
incomplete combusion == fuel leftover == backfires the next time you
get-a-boom). Possible causes that *aren't* due to carb issues (which,
sadly, is the most likely IMO):
a) old or bad gas. How much is in the tank and how old is it? Especially
ethanol fuel goes bad much more quickly depending on conditions.
b) water in the fuel. add 1/3 bottle of *isopropyl* (not that other
stuff)
c) bad spark [if you had new plugs, it could be moisture in the caps,
etc...)
My advice: put new NGK plugs in. Make sure the fuel is reasonable. You
can either drain and replace it or try to get some new gas in there to
"cut" the bad gas (I've had bad gas once or twice...). Throw some
Chevron techron in there, too - that *can* help with clogged jets if
they aren't clogged all the way.
Lastly, get that sucker up to temp, and ride it like you are really mad
at it (pretend it's a Detroit Diesel 2-stroke).
Also, a tip for checking spark - use a *spare* plug on the side of the
engine, that way you don't have to worry about fuel vapors + sparkies.
You *might* be able to get by without a carb clean, but honestly, I know
what *I'd* do. I'd try a few simple things and then hand it off to a
really good mechanic I know and when I get it back it'll purr like a
kitten and go like a scalded dog.
Personally, I've use Champion, NGK, AC-Delco, and Autolite plugs (in my
bikes over the years) with no discernable difference. My CB900 really
liked Champions, my Yamaha Venture Royale *really* likes the NDK
Iridiums, my Katana 1100 preferred the Autolites. My car doesn't car
(even though it's a Honda) and my CB550SC got new plugs every year so it
didn't care *what* got put in. My snowmobile, when I owned that
troublesome piece of machinery, only ran worth a nickel on NGK plugs.
When all is said and done, though, I prefer NGK - they are *just right*
when it comes to temperature ranges, very good build construction, and
are a no-worries kind of plug.
Smell it!
ReplyDeleteANYway, it's starting to sound like it's flooding. Maybe the choke is on
waay too long, or it's stuck on. Or the float needles aren't closing. Or
the air intake is blocked.
Once the plugs are wet and fouled, the electricity finds it a lot easier
to go down a closed path of wet carbon than to jump an open gap- hence no
spark.
If the air/ fuel ratio is not right, the unburned mix goes down the
exhaust and accumulates in the mufflers. Finally a spark plug sparks, hot
burning gases go down the pipe and BOOM happens. Kinda like turning the
car off, coasting and hitting the ignition switch again. As if anybody
here ever did that. ;+}