Changing spark plugs

[Juan]

Well, it was time to change the spark plugs for the first time, at 27000 km (17000 miles). I had not inspected the plugs at 10000 km (as recommended in the owners manual). For a first time change, it was not the easiest of tasks, with the air box breather hose clip being a real pain to reattach. Thank goodness for this forum, with several recommendations on how to attach the hose. I found the easiest way out was to simply replace the clip with a jubilee clip. Now that the 'method' is sorted, next time plugs change should be pretty easy.

Now to the spark plugs themselves. The inside of the plugs looked pretty good, and colour of electrodes was as expected (dark greyish). With a little cleaning, these could have lasted a couple of 1000 km more, but once I opened up everything I went along and changed them. One of the plugs had what looks like corrosion on the nut and beyond (the part that is outside the cylinder). The plug is on the right in the picture (does not mean it was the far right plug in the cylinders). Any ideas on what could have caused this? The rubber cap seemed to have been properly seated over the coil, so I don't think it could have been water ingress.

 

[Dogdaze]

I changed mine at 15k miles, looked very clean except one, like your's was a little corroded, but mine was from the far right side, and some others have mentioned the same........... could just be where the water hits from the road?

I would also mention that at first after changing the plugs it would not start, kept cranking, panic set in about the dreaded 'hard start', then she fired up after 'popping' loudly, I did get a new battery after that.

 

[Juan]

I changed mine at 15k miles, looked very clean except one, like your's was a little corroded, but mine was from the far right side, and some others have mentioned the same........... could just be where the water hits from the road?

I would also mention that at first after changing the plugs it would not start, kept cranking, panic set in about the dreaded 'hard start', then she fired up after 'popping' loudly, I did get a new battery after that.

Fortunately, mine fired up immediately after plugs change. The battery is still the original (bike is 2013). If the bike is not used in a week, I leave the batter on charge for a day. It has served me well till now.

 

[2daMax]

I changed mine to Denso Iridium IU24. No issues, fired right up. But was a pain to get to some of the Loctite securing bolts off the coils.

 

[Juan]

I have now realised ( ) that I should have used Loctite on the cover bolts of the spark plug coils. The service manual says so. Is this something to worry about?

 

[Don in Lodi]

If you got them snug, they should be alright. The blue Loctite is to prevent engine vibration from working them loose. If they had it on them OEM, there will be some residue left behind, you'll be OK. ::008::

 

[tomatocity]

If you got them snug, they should be alright. The blue Loctite is to prevent engine vibration from working them loose. If they had it on them OEM, there will be some residue left behind, you'll be OK. ::008::

Don do you replace your own Tenere spark plugs?

 

[Don in Lodi]

Don do you replace your own Tenere spark plugs?

Yes, twice now. One air filter. Should prolly do them again when we get together, coming up on 60k.

 

[tomatocity]

Yes, twice now. One air filter. Should prolly do them again when we get together, coming up on 60k.

At 19,000 miles I am overdue for spark plugs, air cleaner was recent, need a shifter zerk, PC-8 install, and maybe driving lights. Looking for a valve adjustment and not sure that I want PCP to do it. Steve gave me a name of a local MC mechanic that he likes and trusts.

 

[Don in Lodi]

The last generic tech I worked with swore off the Ténéré. "Never again! Thing's a nightmare." And I had to fix it after he was done. The only two shops that have never eff'd my bikes up are Capitol and Roseville. Capitol is twenty years ago, Royal Star, and Roseville is current. I wouldn't do a valve check at an informal tech day tho. Plugs are good for far longer than people want to give them credit for.

 

[Spaggy]

Just curious, I can't remember the last time I changed plugs in a car or truck I own with over 100,000 miles. Why do the plugs in a bike need changing so often?

 

[WJBertrand]

Just curious, I can't remember the last time I changed plugs in a car or truck I own with over 100,000 miles. Why do the plugs in a bike need changing so often?

I think the main reason is to provide work for dealer service departments! Just kidding, but only a little. To my knowledge however, no motorcycle manufacturers have switched to precious metal platinum or iridium plugs as OEM fitment like most cars have. Car manufacturers are held to emissions standards for 80K miles or more, this is not the case for motorcycles so manufacturers don't feel compelled to spend the additional money to fit them. Another factor is that motorcycle engine on average rev higher at most normal road speeds than cars, so are firing their plugs more often per mile.

 

[Don in Lodi]

I think the main reason is to provide work for dealer service departments! Just kidding, but only a little. To my knowledge however, no motorcycle manufacturers have switched to precious metal platinum or iridium plugs as OEM fitment like most cars have. Car manufacturers are held to emissions standards for 80K miles or more, this is not the case for motorcycles so manufacturers don't feel compelled to spend the additional money to fit them. Another factor is that motorcycle engine on average rev higher at most normal road speeds than cars, so are firing their plugs more often per mile.

That's what I came up with, long term RPM. There are many Dodge vehicles that are still running 30,000 mile copper core plugs.

 

[RCinNC]

I think the main reason is to provide work for dealer service departments! Just kidding, but only a little. To my knowledge however, no motorcycle manufacturers have switched to precious metal platinum or iridium plugs as OEM fitment like most cars have. Car manufacturers are held to emissions standards for 80K miles or more, this is not the case for motorcycles so manufacturers don't feel compelled to spend the additional money to fit them. Another factor is that motorcycle engine on average rev higher at most normal road speeds than cars, so are firing their plugs more often per mile.

Suzuki puts the iridium plugs in their DL650 V-Stroms, or at least they did in 2012 when I got mine. Needless to say, I didn't change them at the recommended service interval.

 

[2daMax]

The Versys 650 came with NGK iridiums. The Ninja 250R came with Platinum plugs. The Versys eats plugs. At 20k km the Iridiums were worn enough to cause a drop in performance and increase in fuel consumption. Visually with the naked eye, there is not much one can see on the worn plugs. Plugs changed were 12000km per the service guide.

I was surprised that the S10 normal plugs can go 20k km and then requires a re gap and then can be use again. The engine of the S10 may be tractor like and not refine but it sure runs a lot cooler than the Versys. I don't feel much engine heat emmiting from the S10 engine compared to the Versys and lately, I checked out the MT09 Tracer.....a lot of heat.

 

[RonH]

I changed mine at 27,000 and did the valve check and changed the air filter. All valves were perfect center spec. After looking at the plugs at 27,000 I will replace them every valve check. No need to do any more frequently. Cheap $3.99 pliers from Harbor Freight work good for removing the airbox clip
http://www.harborfreight.com/11-inch-90-angle-long-reach-pliers-39539.html

 

[RED CAT]

Will change my plugs for the first time at 42,000kms/26,000 miles when I do the first valve adjust on my 2014. No issues on idling or running so far.