Loose spark plug leads

DavidR8

DavidR8

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Joined
May 31, 2017
Messages
1,220
Location
Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Bike
2013 BMW R1200RT
STOC #
8968
After I did counterbalance adjustment this morning I pulled all the plugs on STella to check their condition.

Noticed that the lead for the #3 cylinder lead was loose.

After I pulled that plug I shone a flashlight down into the combustion chamber and saw the top of the piston was black and damp even though the bike was at three bars of temp from running for the counterbalance adjustment.

The plugs looked good, nice and tan. (this is the #2)
I'm not sure as to the source of the oil on the plug body so welcome thoughts on that.
43a0624db4231d156118604d8928f684.jpg


I haven't done a test ride yet so wondering if perhaps the #3 cylinder was firing intermittently.
If it was I suggest that would have a rather dramatic negative effect on fuel mileage.


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Last edited:
Went for a ride and definitely felt a difference in the engine.
Smoother and more pickup from low rpm. Definitely more power than before.


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It's always the last place you look. Or is that something else. At any rate you've found a definite improvement even if it's not the cure but it may be. It'd be nice to break the 30s for in-town mileage!
 
The difference starting from a standstill is quite pronounced. Much easier and way less rattling and sounding like a bucket of bolts.


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Now to find a clear stretch without watchful eyes and see if you can remove some of that buildup from the top of #3 piston.
 
Keep the MMO and Seafoam coming for two or three tanks too.
 
Igofar said:
Keep the MMO and Seafoam coming for two or three tanks too.
Click to expand...

Thanks Larry.
I finally found a source for MMO.
First person at the parts house said “what is it called?â€
Me: “marvel mystery oil. Marvel like the comicsâ€
Person: “what's it for?â€
I give an explanation. He suggests Lucas Fuel Injection cleaner.

He asks co-worker. “Yup we carry that.â€

Hurray! 32 oz ordered in, arriving Monday.


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If you folks have the 5 hour energy drinks over there, keep a couple of the empty bottles, they hold 2 oz in each bottle. The formula is 4 oz per 10 gal of fuel, we normally fill up at 5 gal, so I dump in 2 oz at every fill up.
 
Igofar said:
If you folks have the 5 hour energy drinks over there, keep a couple of the empty bottles, they hold 2 oz in each bottle. The formula is 4 oz per 10 gal of fuel, we normally fill up at 5 gal, so I dump in 2 oz at every fill up.
Click to expand...

Larry, I'm not sure I understand your math, unless you want to dose the bike with double the recommended amount.
 
DavidR8 said:
I’m missing something. Isn’t 2 oz in a 5 gallon fill the same ratio as 4 oz in 10 gallons?


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Click to expand...

Yes....But Larry doesn't wait till he's empty to refill I guess. He throws in 2oz with his roughly 5 gallon top up.....
 
SMSW said:
Or maybe just downright oily.
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Which has me puzzled as I thought we were looking for a reason/solution to...

DavidR8 said:
After I pulled that plug I shone a flashlight down into the combustion chamber and saw the top of the piston was black and damp even though the bike was at three bars of temp from running for the counterbalance adjustment.
Click to expand...

and I'm not sure how adding MMO would fix this. Sounds more like black magic than science to me.
 
MajorTom said:
Which has me puzzled as I thought we were looking for a reason/solution to...



and I'm not sure how adding MMO would fix this. Sounds more like black magic than science to me.
Click to expand...

As the plug lead was loose I believe the cylinder was wet from unburnt fuel not oil.


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