Whether you are a seasoned motorcyclist or a novice, we all agree that a motorcycle spark plug that breaks is a source of frustration. Motorcycles are pretty straightforward creatures, but it can be hard to find the culprit that's causing this problem. In this article, we will find out why the spark plug on your motorcycle breaks?
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.
Motorcycle spark plug that breaks due to a problem with the battery
This is the easiest cause to diagnose and is probably the most common reason why your motorcycle's spark plug breaks. Depending on how low your battery is, if there is some voltage left, you may be able to turn the key and turn on your turn signal, but starting will be slow and laborious. If your battery is completely dead, your motorcycle will not make any noise when you try to start it.
How does a motorcycle battery discharge? If a motorcycle's battery is not in use and remains unused, it loses its ability to power your motorcycle. There is also a phenomenon called parasitic drainage. This phenomenon occurs when motorcycle computers and improperly grounded wires cause the battery to discharge slightly over time. If you notice that your battery is losing its charge quickly, it is most likely due to parasitic discharge.
How to solve this problem ? take a multimeter and turn it on DC voltage and put it on the 20 volts DC setting. Now place the separate wires on the two battery terminals (if you read a negative number it just means you need to change the wires for the other battery terminal).
If the reading shows a number near or slightly less than 12 volts, charge your battery and try starting your motorcycle again. And if the number is really low, like 9 volts or less, your battery is practically burnt out and you need to buy a new one.
If you continue to have problems losing your battery voltage, try using a battery tensioner that can charge your battery while you're not using it.
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Motorcycle spark plug that breaks due to a clogged carburetor
There are several ways to tell if the problem is with a clogged or malfunctioning carburetor. If you have an electric starter, remove the air intake, push the starter in, and pour starter fluid directly into the carburetor. If it starts and revs for a few seconds, it means your carburetor is dirty.
How does the carburetor get dirty? Deposits and dirt can build up in your fuel system. Over time, the accumulation increases and can easily block fuel passageways, especially the carburetor jets, as they are very small. If you do not use a fuel filter, your carburetor will quickly become clogged causing the problem of a spark plug that breaks due to high fuel consumption.
How to fix the problem? After replacing the spark plug on your motorcycle that breaks, you will need to thoroughly clean your carburetors. To do this, you will need to remove the air intake and then detach the carburetor from the engine of your motorcycle. Take pictures before disassembling the carburetor to remind you how to reassemble it. Label the parts using masking tape if necessary.
You will need to disassemble part of the carburetor and buy a few new gaskets to reassemble it. I highly recommend that you consult your owner's manual on how to reassemble the specific carburetor for your motorcycle. The best way to clean the carburetor is to put all the parts in an ultrasonic cleaner and run a few laps. When used with the correct solution, the ultrasonic cleaner emits ultrasound which agitates the solution. This makes it easy to remove fuel build-up and dirt that has built up in hard-to-reach places.
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Temperature too cold
Cold temperatures prevent your motorcycle from starting: you can obviously calibrate this according to the outside temperature. In cold weather, gasoline does not fully evaporate when mixed with air and therefore does not burn properly. The spark plug of your motorcycle gets wet over time and causes the breakage problem
How to fix this problem: If possible, take your motorcycle to a garage or shed that has a power outlet. You will need to plug in a backup heater and blow it directly into your engine and carburetor for at least 20 minutes. This will not warm up your engine completely, but enough to get it started.
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To conclude, here are some recommended products for your motorcycle spark plug that breaks:
