Changing out Spark plugs

[macca]

One thing to be wary of is if you ride in a damp climate it would appear that the lhs spark plug coil can become stuckfast due to sheath corrosion. This happened to mine and needed significant brute force to extract it , breaking its mounting flange in the process. I had a spare to hand, as it was clear it was stuck from a pre plug removal check. Its replacement also fixed a slight hesitancy my bike had, as it was probably running on 3.5 plugs or 1.5 cylinders due to the corroded spark plug coil.

 

[Mzee]

One thing to be wary of is if you ride in a damp climate it would appear that the lhs spark plug coil can become stuckfast due to sheath corrosion. This happened to mine and needed significant brute force to extract it , breaking its mounting flange in the process. I had a spare to hand, as it was clear it was stuck from a pre plug removal check. Its replacement also fixed a slight hesitancy my bike had, as it was probably running on 3.5 plugs or 1.5 cylinders due to the corroded spark plug coil.

Fortunately I don't ride in damp places but you make a good observation.

 

[low drag]

Thanks for the good info in here guys. I'm pushing 13K miles and figure it's time to do the plugs. I had no idea how to do it before reading this thread.

This will give me a good chance to check the Uni air filters I installed last year as well.

ETA: This thread should be a sticky!

 

[Checkswrecks]

Good idea and it now is!
::026::

 

[AngryRed]

Great info, thanks everyone.

 

[nhdiesel]

I'm the spoiled rotten wussy on this bike.
Bought a service contract.
I drink Yamaha coffee and shoot the breeze with the staff and other customers, while my ace mechanic takes care of things.

I hate to admit it, but it's been worth every cent I paid.

3 years, unlimited mileage, ~1200.00

They admit they shouldn't have sold me. It's a "loser" on the high mileage guys.

I have bought an air filter and some rear brake pads. (Twice)
Everything else, labor and materials, is included.
Obviously, I haven't missed a single service interval. Lol

Anyways, great job Coastie. I will probably have to do it myself at about 48,000. Or maybe 60,000?


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I hope your shop is better than mine. I cringe at the thought that it might need warranty work and they will have to touch it! Bad enough I had to go through my bike the day after I picked it up new because they had so many things loose, such as the front axle. I'm kicking myself for dumping the money on the YES because anything short of it needing a new shock, I'd rather take care of it myself than let their monkeys work on it.

Thanks for the good info in here guys. I'm pushing 13K miles and figure it's time to do the plugs. I had no idea how to do it before reading this thread.

This will give me a good chance to check the Uni air filters I installed last year as well.

ETA: This thread should be a sticky!

Just a question- what is the suggested change interval for the Tenere? This is a fuel injected bike, 13k miles the plugs should still be new. I changed my ST1300 plugs at 80k and if I didn't already have new ones on hand, I would have put them back in, they still looked new. 126k and that replacement set is still going strong. If these have to be changed every 13k or so...I may have bought the wrong bike. That would be 2 or 3 changes a season!

 

[low drag]

Just a question- what is the suggested change interval for the Tenere? This is a fuel injected bike, 13k miles the plugs should still be new. I changed my ST1300 plugs at 80k and if I didn't already have new ones on hand, I would have put them back in, they still looked new. 126k and that replacement set is still going strong. If these have to be changed every 13k or so...I may have bought the wrong bike. That would be 2 or 3 changes a season!

The manual states 12K miles. Mine looked super clean and in good condition. I could not see any wear due to arcing, they looked like they could have gone more than double the 13K.

 

[mhoy]

Great info everyone, thankyou, and video excellent. All the best.

 

[AZDanST12]

Did mine too. Used a tie down to secure tank in an upward position. Pretty easy job. Only had 14,500 at the time of the change and what a noticeable difference

 

[snakebitten]

Changed mine today at a picnic table in a campground.

Removed the airbox. Far easier to see down in there.
Was happy to find all 4 coil boots dry and clean and not too difficult to pop off.

Only task that irritated me was getting the breather hose back on the airbox. Could use a few more inches of hose?

 

[itlives]

Excellent video for a newbie without a shop manual (yet).

 

[Superstar]

Does anyone use anti-seize on the spark plug threads? I'm guessing the head is aluminum...

 

[racer1735]

Changed mine today at a picnic table in a campground.

Only task that irritated me was getting the breather hose back on the airbox. Could use a few more inches of hose?

That's being resourceful! I would have needed plenty of drop light to see what I was doing.
I agree with your comment about the breather hose. I found it easier to attach it by looking at it from the front of the engine, looking up and under the airbox.

 

[Redsoul]

Spark plug removal help

Just got my bike back from its 12000 mile service and mechanic has informed me he could only change 3 of the plugs.
There is an issue with the 2nd one from the left which apparently has some rubber round it so he can't get a grip on it with a socket.
Has anyone heard of this and if so how to rectify.
Mechanic did say that at next service if he takes rocker covers off he may be able to get at it.



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[Dogdaze]

Re: Spark plug removal help

Wow, who's you mechanic? I don't ever want to go to him!! Has he ever worked on a S10 before? I'll assume all the plug well are the same so how did he manage to do 3? It's some kind of grommet that sits in the well to prevent moisture getting in, it may have come off the coil unit. Sorry, not very helpful, I know.

 

[Redsoul]

Re: Spark plug removal help

The mechanic is actually an ex Honda master technician with a really good reputation which is what makes this so weird.The guy can usually fix anything and has a lot of experience.


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[Redsoul]

Re: Spark plug removal help

Next weekend I am going on a 2500 mile trip round Spain and Portugal so quite pissed off at the moment.Yamaha dealer where I bought bike from cant fit me in to have a look until the end of July either.


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[Dogdaze]

Re: Spark plug removal help

Double suck! Still, is it running okay on '3' plugs?, take the other with you, you may find a place on route that might do it for you, never know right?

 

[Don in Lodi]

Dogdaze hit it, it's the boot off the tip of the coil, it managed to cook onto the ceramic of the plug. Not common, but it happens. Sometimes installing and removing the coil a few times might get the boot to stay connected to the coil. If you remove the upper rubber seal it will allow you to push the coil in further, perhaps breaking the boot loose. Otherwise he's going to have to fish it out with a hook. This can pretty much destroy the boot, you may need a replacement coil, the boots aren't available separately. A dab of dielectric silicone grease helps them release at a later date. I just replaced two coils from a botched valve check, one was severely oil soaked (rubber and oil don't mix), and the other had the mounting ear broken off.

 

[Redsoul]

When you mention coil are you referring to the plug or maybe plug cap.


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