Number 1 Sparkler Fouled - Fixed

[97BLKVALK]

Ok here it goes.

Check spark plugs and Numuro Uno is fouled.

Thinking coil is issue, but Number two sparkler is clean.

A look back,  to 2013 ride to Inzane Lacrosse.

My friends said right side exhaust would poof smoke after slow driving(loading of fuel) and we would accelerate onto highway speeds.  So in summer of 2014 had carbs rebuilt...complete cooked and baked with all new innards.

While riding this late summer and fall the poof happened again, so this winter while the girl is up on the lift for cleaning and waxing, a new exhaust upgrade by Mark T, along with servicing the rear end( I love saying that)  I decided to check sparklers.... so now your full circle.

So if the spark plug was fouled before the carb rebuild would it still be fouled after 1500 miles after the rebuild.  I run only PURE Premium fuel.

Could it be a bad spark plug?

Could it be coil?

Merry Christmas to all VRCC members.

Michael

[pancho]

I would do a compression test to confirm the overall condition of the motor.

[BonS]

Valve stem seal(s). My riding buddy has one or more bad valve seals on the left side of his engine. When using his engine for some deceleration he will puff some smoke when then accelerates again. With relatively slow city driving he will foul a plug. When riding 2500 highway miles this summer in Colorado he had to add a quart of oil. We'll be fixing his seals this Winter. It's not a big job but one that must be done with care as the cam must be pulled on the side being worked on.

[Firefighter]

Yes, spark plugs can stay fowled. Does it look oil fowled, or just wet, has it been running on all six? How many miles on the bike?   Like the others say: Compression first, then Ignition (spark plug, coil, wire, spark plug boot, etc.), fuel (flooding carb and I know it has been repaired), is the enrichment valve slider turning off the enrichment valve, breather tube clear (engine needs to vent), exhaust clear, valve seals, coolant temperature (thermostat) can all cause fowling. Let us know. Hope its just a bad spark plug!  Firefighter

[Michvalk]

I agree there is a long list of things it could be, but, my opinion is start with the easy stuff first. Plug wire or boot. What is on the plug to foul it? Oil? Fuel? Carbon? Once you have an idea what is fouling the plug, will give you the first direction to go. Make it easy on yourself

[97BLKVALK]

Yes, spark plugs can stay fowled. Does it look oil fowled, or just wet, has it been running on all six? How many miles on the bike?   Like the others say: Compression first, then Ignition (spark plug, coil, wire, spark plug boot, etc.), fuel (flooding carb and I know it has been repaired), is the enrichment valve slider turning off the enrichment valve, breather tube clear (engine needs to vent), exhaust clear, valve seals, coolant temperature (thermostat) can all cause fowling. Let us know. Hope its just a bad spark plug!  Firefighter

Mileage 28,500. All other spark plugs are nice and white like the one on the left.

 


I'm hoping for just plug.  Is there a way to test the spark plug wire?

Could the coil be bad to just one cylinder of the two it serves?

Will check compression too.

Thanks for your help.

Michael

[BonS]

Looks like oil fouling to me. The coils fire two plugs at the same time (spark/wasted spark design) so if one is firing the other should fire - unless one is fouled.

[Pappy!]

Looks more like oil fouling to me as well. Not a sooty look like fuel fouling.
Would go with either the intake valve seal or possibly a piston ring issue on that cylinder.
Compression check will determine the latter.

[salty1]

Yes, spark plugs can stay fowled. Does it look oil fowled, or just wet, has it been running on all six? How many miles on the bike?   Like the others say: Compression first, then Ignition (spark plug, coil, wire, spark plug boot, etc.), fuel (flooding carb and I know it has been repaired), is the enrichment valve slider turning off the enrichment valve, breather tube clear (engine needs to vent), exhaust clear, valve seals, coolant temperature (thermostat) can all cause fowling. Let us know. Hope its just a bad spark plug!  Firefighter

Mileage 28,500. All other spark plugs are nice and white like the one on the left.

 


I'm hoping for just plug.  Is there a way to test the spark plug wire?

Could the coil be bad to just one cylinder of the two it serves?

Will check compression too.

Thanks for your help.

Michael

I'm going with BonS, most likely a valve seal. The compression check should help sort it out.

[97BLKVALK]

Compression Check it is.  Will try and track down a gauge this week early.

Thank you.

Michael

[moodyvalk]

actually, a compression test will not check the condition of the oil rings.  it checks the sealing of the compression rings along with the valves and valve seats.

so it is possible to show compression with in specs and still have faulty oil rings.  When you perform the compression test, compare the reading of #1 cylinder to the other cylinders.  more than 10% difference can cause a misfire at idle or rough idle, which your not complaining about so I doubt you will have this.

the best advice I can give you its to verify exactly when the "poof" happens.  if the valve seals are faulty or the valve guides are worn, then you will smoke on deceleration or maybe right after a deceleration.  this is because when the throttle blades are closed for a deceleration the vacuum in the intake, which includes the valve stem and valve guide areas, is the highest and will suck the oil past the seal and guides.  Now if the oil rings are shot, it will blow smoke on acceleration and usually not quick smoke while your accelerating. and of course the worse the oil rings the more smoke it will produce...

chances are your gona be looking in the valve guide and valve seal area from the description you gave. 

[Patrick]

Yep, what Moodyvalk says. A compression test will not always check the condition of the oil rings.

Swap #1 and #2 sparklers and run it for awhile. So what happens.
I doubt seriously you have a coil issue. It could be a plug or plug wire problem.

It could also be an oil ring problem, but, that would be rare.

These engines due sometimes have valve guide or seal problems.
As fouled as that plug is though, it doesn't seem to me like a guide problem unless that guide is really really bad.

[Ricky-D]

To me the plug looks very sooty.

I'd check for too much gas to that cylinder.

Any number of ways that could happen.

***

[DK]

I would install a higher heat range plug, +2 at least, until proper repairs are made.

[97BLKVALK]

Fixed.

The enrichment valve on Number 1 was not closing all the way.  Cleaned with Carb cleaner and lubed with WD40 and no more issues.  Along with fresh sparkers.

Michael

[Bone]

I'd check for too much gas to that cylinder

Glad you found the problem.