Spark plug question from the FNG - please help

So I bought an 81 maxim 650 several weeks ago and I start replacing old and worn items I made a discovery that I probably should have noticed when I first looked at the bike.

One of the spark plugs is different than the other three. It is a spark plug that is commonly used in lawnmowers. The person before me must have bored a bigger hole and threaded it to fit the new plug. Not sure why he did it, cant get ahold of him.

Anyways, also noticed while removing the spark plug that there were loose metal shavings in the threads, most likely some of them fell into the hole before I saw what was happening.

So here is my question, any guidance is appreciated:

Concerning the different spark plug and metal filings that probably made there way into the engine, should I start looking for another engine or another bike or is it not much of a concern and I should just continue along attempting to fix the bike?

 

Look up Helicoils on the net or visit a local mech , you do need the correct sparkplugs in all holes...

A Helicoil just might be your quick and cheep fix....

 

I agree with hoonz on the Helicoil, it a thread replacemant system. The PO probally stripped out the threads and instead of fixing it right he did a quick fix, or had never heard of helicoil and that was all he knew to do., as for the metal shavings, I can't say how much feel in. But if it was from the thread area, I am sure that it wasn't a great amount. Probally nothing to worry about, will probally work it way throught the exhaust in time. I wouldn't worry mush about acoring of the cylinder walls.

 

Go to your dentist's office and ask for a low volume suction straw. Cut the tip off of it and tape it to the end of your shopvac. You can then bend the straw and clean out the cylinder via the sparkplug hole. The straw has a wire running through it so it will stay in the position you bend it in. This will also be helpful when you helicoil.

 

Helicoil. Of course if you can swing it, you should pull the head and have the insert done, but that is pretty drastic. Most compentent shops should be able to perform this service for you for under $100 (way under $100, but it is dependent upon what damage exists and how much struggle preping for the insert the jobber goes through). Best of luck.

 

Much appreciated

 

HeliCoil ... Two Thumbs way up!

Don't bother doing anything until you have somebody slap a HeliCoil in there. The HeliCoil Cutting Tool is going to make some swarth, too. The guy putting-in the HeliCoil will know how to deal with it.

You don't have to pull the head to have the HeliCoil slapped-in there, either. I blew a plug right out of the head on my 900 last season ... and they popped the coil in there without even removing the tank.

If it makes you feel better, vacuum-out the hole. But, they'll only have to do it again after they insert the coil. Once you get that coil in there ... you treat the threads of the plug with NeverSeize -- EVERY TIME -- you pull that plug ... either to replace plugs or just peek at how you are running.

 

Another vote for helicoils. BTW, you don't want to leave metal shavings in the cylinder. They can gouge the cylinder walls, imbed themselves in the piston or cylinder head (causing hotspots and pre-ignition), or damage valves. You can remove them by using a probe with tape (adhesive side out) secured to it. I've used a pencil with masking tape secured to the eraser end with good results.