How to know if spark plugs are not in good condition
If the spark plugs of your motorcycle have a brown color but are dry and there are no solidified residues, they are in good condition. Otherwise, they will most likely look similar to the ones described below:
Dirt around the top of the spark plug, around the hook-shaped part that is the ground electrode, and around the insulator that wraps around the center electrode. This dirt may have accumulated due to the poor quality of the fuel or engine oil used, or due to a malfunction of the cooling oil.
The center spark plug insulator is broken. Be careful when changing the parts because when the spark plugs fall unprotected on a hard surface, the insulator often breaks and not having this part can end up seriously damaging your engine.
The ground electrode and center electrode have fused after overheating. The breakdown is serious as it indicates that the engine is not working well or that the spark plug you have chosen is not the correct one.
The spark plug is black as if it had burned out. It is probably because you only take the bike for short trips and, consequently, the temperature of the combustion chamber does not exceed 450 degrees at which the spark plugs clean themselves automatically.
Frequent spark plugs questions
1. How to clean spark plugs Step by Step
Detected the problem, proceed to disassemble and clean the spark plugs. Keep in mind that they are very delicate pieces and that if they fall they could break, to avoid this you can place an old thick blanket on the floor.
Locate the spark plugs and mark the wires to reassemble them later in the same order.
Gently remove the spark plugs with a special wrench (be careful not to damage the center electrode protection). Also clean the cables and caps to avoid bad contacts later.
Check the condition of the spark plugs that you have removed, do they give you any clue as to what is happening to your motorcycle?
Clean the top of the spark plugs (where the electrodes are) with 90 degree alcohol.
Apply pressurized air to remove residue from its surface. Help yourself with a wire brush and a cotton cloth to clean the threads well.
Dry thoroughly and reposition. Check that the cables are in place and that the distance between the electrodes is the same.
2. How to CALIBRATE a motorcycle SPARK PLUG
Take care when handling the spark plugs so you don't have to adjust the gap later. There are specific tools on the market that allow you to determine if the degree of opening that has been left is correct and that help you to calibrate the spark plugs.
In any case, most spark plugs currently do not require gapping prior to installation.
3. How to increase spark plugs lifetime?
To increase the life of your spark plugs you must make good use of the engine, avoiding subjecting your motorcycle to excesses that make it suffer too much. Another good tip is not to rush the fuel and keep them clean and checked frequently.
If you notice that your bike loses power, take a look at them. You may be facing problems of wear, carbonization, mechanical damage or excessive temperature.
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