During its lifetime, an average spark plug can ignite 27,5 million to 110 million times. Each time, it vaporizes a few molecules on the electrodes of the spark plug. The spark plug gap eventually widens and the air-fuel mixture no longer ignites efficiently causing your spark plug to start to bead. Other engine problems can contaminate the spark plug, and under some circumstances it may not ignite at all. In this article, we are going to find out the reasons why a motorcycle spark plug bead.
Motorcycle spark plugs - General information
There are a whole bunch of motorcycle spark plugs on the market that meet specific needs. So, before you get started, we advise you to take a look at our complete guide on the subject.
How does the spark plug work?
First of all, you should know that fire requires three components: oxygen (O2), fuel and heat. In your engine, every time a cylinder makes an intake stroke, it sucks in air (≈21% O2). Injection engines inject fuel during intake time, while direct injection engines, gasoline or diesel, can wait for compression time. Finally, heat is supplied in two ways: one or two spark plugs for gasoline engines, or heat of compression for diesel engines. The result, like every time these three components are combined, is a small explosion. At a cruising speed of 88 km / h, an average cylinder fires approximately 1 times per minute, or 000 times per second!
In gasoline engines, heat is supplied in the form of a tiny lightning bolt. High voltage, from 5 kV to 45 kV, depending on the vehicle, is generated in an ignition coil, controlled by a distributor or an engine control module (ECM). The charge is conducted to the spark plug via a spark plug wire. The spark occurs when the charge jumps between the electrodes of the spark plug, with a diameter of 0,25 mm to 1,8 mm (0,01 ″ to 0,07 ″). The heat generated, between 4 ° C and 700 ° C (6 ° F and 500 ° F), ignites the air-fuel mixture, pulling the piston down during the power stroke.
Why does the spark plug on your motorcycle bead?
How do you know if your spark plugs need attention? Your engine is a well-tuned machine, and performance, fuel consumption and reliability depend on the constant supply of air, fuel and sparks. Here are the main reasons that cause your motorcycle spark plug to bead:
Difficult start - Proper ignition is more difficult when the engine is “cold”. The electronic control module adds fuel to compensate for poor vaporization, which can make it difficult to ignite a spark plug, hence a difficult start and damage to the spark plug. To avoid this, be careful not to use your motorcycle in cold weather or in urgent cases, wait 2 minutes after starting your motorcycle before accelerating.
Poor performance - When accelerating, the spark plugs are particularly stressed to produce a powerful spark that ignites more fuel and generates more power. Faulty ignition coils can damage your spark plug and cause it to parliament. It is therefore essential to replace the coil of your motorcycle.
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Hesitation / Startle - Slightly less noticeable, reluctance to accelerate and jumpiness can be described as an engine that does not immediately “respond” to the driver's demands. Then, a power "surge" can occur unexpectedly. This slight delay in delivering power can cause a spark plug problem. Repairing this type of problem is very complicated and requires an expert in the field.
Replace spark plugs like a pro
Depending on the vehicle, engine and spark plug type, spark plugs typically have a lifespan of between 48 km and 000 km. Spark plug wires and ignition coils tend to last a little longer, but usually no more than double the life of the spark plugs they power. For most vehicles, replacing the spark plugs is a straightforward operation, although you may have to contort to get to some of them, perhaps placed behind shields or under manifolds. admission and other equipment. Here are the basic steps for replacing spark plugs.
Steps to follow to replace the spark plug on your motorcycle that bumps
- First, access the spark plugs - This may require the removal of other parts, such as the engine covers, heat shields, or the intake manifold.
- Remove the spark plug wire or ignition coil - Before removing the wires, use tape or other means to mark the locations, otherwise the spark plugs may not light in the correct order. Replace any scuffed, worn, or damaged spark plug wires or caps.
- Then blow out the spark plug channels - Debris tends to collect in the unprotected tubes and channels of the spark plugs. Compressed air is a good idea to get rid of them and keep them from falling into the cylinder when you remove the spark plug.
- Remove Spark Plug - Using a spark plug socket and locking extension, remove the old spark plugs.
- Adjust Spark Plug Gap - Most new spark plugs are preset at the factory, but it's a good idea to check and adjust the spark plug gap according to the manual instructions, just to be sure.
- Then nClean and Lubricate the new spark plug - Using a small amount of anti-seize lubricant (silver or copper, it doesn't matter), lubricate the spark plug threads and gasket.
- Install the new spark plug - Screw in the spark plug by hand until it is finger tight, then torque it to specification. Seal types typically specify a quarter or a half turn after contact, while types without seals specify just a sixteenth turn. Check the manual to be sure.
- Finally, reinstall everything else.
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Our recommended products:
To conclude, here are some recommended products for your motorcycle spark plug:
