Tuning process confusion.

It has become one step that is necessary but I do not like it.
I will start with fresh spark plugs. By the time I finish the tuning process,Sync, mix screws and colortune, Sync and many plug chops I have almost ruined the "new plugs". My last step is to put in new plugs again.
Does anyone know what I am talking about or are you guys starting with a old set of plugs?

 

I usually do the same thing, since NGK's are only like $1.99 at AutoZone.

 

LOL, welcome to the wonderful(occassionally frustrating) world of tuning!

I learned a long time ago to make sure of all the basics before ever even touching a carb; to start by making sure that the valves are perfectly adjusted 4 strokes only of course) the timing set EXACTLY, and to be positive that each coil is sending nice fat jolts of volts to the brand new and correct plugs, that my ignition wires are in good order.

Once those basic things are covered, then I begin....

I have a couple of stories about spending hours then days trying to rejet modified engines only to find out that one of the basics was out of whack...talk about embarrassing....and trust me, there was no chance that I was going to suddenly "solve the problem" without everyone knowing that the "dumba**" hadn't checked the "widget"...LOL

It sounds like you are getting pretty good at it though....


jeff

 

just fess up some $ for new plugs. it makes a difference from what I can tell with tuning this morning.. like fitz mentioned, $2 a plug is cheap for what we have to go thru.. wait til you decide doing an upper engine rebuild then it gets expensive

as for my tuning process, think i've gone through around 10 plugs since firing up the motor this year

 

I guess Im buying 8 sets at a time when I know a tune up is coming.

 

I have no idea why it is necessary to use new sets of plugs every time you make a change. I noticed from one reading of my plugs to another, the colors completely changed.

Am I crazy or am I right on this observation?

 

You shouldn't have to keep dumping your plugs,back in the day we would run plugs untill the electrode was paper thin, you kids are spoiled.

 

Your right wizard tuning should not ruin your plugs. A good cleaning is all they should need. If you did it the way they are you would have to change the plugs after every ride! I can see having an extra set maybe two but new plugs every time you make carb changes seems rely excessive too me.

 

I can see changing the plugs out if I'm resurrecting an engine thats been sitting for a long time or is new to me but thats just peace of mind stuff. Clean, gap and test should do it. They either work or they don't. No magic about spark plugs Yep they are cheap but then so am I. Can't say I've ever ruined a set of plugs during the tuning process.

 

Degrease, wash, dry, tape the thread, media blast (glass beads is good for plugs), re-gap and they are good to go again. They should last for years.

A little known fact about spark plugs is that you need to handle them with kid gloves. If you ever drop one onto a concrete floor, chuck it in the bin because the ceramic insulator will have an invisibly fine crack in it that will absorb moisture and oil and lead to a short circuit path which reduces the current flow across the gap (resulting in a less intense spark). Physical abuse is the number one cause of plug failure. They are an incredibly reliable and simple device but "crook plug" usually means "cracked ceramic" only you can't see what's wrong with it.

In the aviation world we have a little metal case for putting the plugs in as they come out of the engine to reduce the chance of dropping them. A dropped plug is immediately condemned as unserviceable, even if it is brand new from the packet, looks ok and seems to spark normally.

 

VALUABLE POSTS GUYS!!!

THANK YOU!