Spark plugs change...

Hello...My 85 xj700 start to fail after I removed, cleaned, re-gaped and reinstalled the spark plugs. Since there were at least 2 years old, changed them for ones I found in my garage for backup. After two days and a little failing when the engine got hot, I removed them and were all black. So I changed them again for the ones the bike already had. Today there were failing a lot more not allowing the bike pass 60mph. My question is, besides the NKG or Denso that the manual says should go into the bike, what other brand I can use, let say Champion what number or denomination??? Thank to all...

 

where the back up old plugs too.?
maybe you need to check the connections of the wire to boots?

 

yes...I will buy new ones this afternoon, but since Im not living in a city Im not sure the shop have the same NGK that the manual call for... So, there is a parallel chart or something that I can use just to know that those NGK from the manual are the same as the champion or denso, or other?

 

try this link

http://www.sparkplug-crossreference.com/

 

very useful, man... thanks a lot...

 

Do you have more links about these cross references charts for other parts??

 

Sounds like your bike running a bit rich if your fouling plugs that fast.
Have the carbs been off for rebuild and is the air filter good. Also does bike have aftermarket exhaust?
I notice you are over 2000 ft and bike will run richer at higher levels

 

Exhaust are original, and bike bike didn't foul the spark plugs before I clean them...in fact, the old ones had a nice coffee and milk color. I just replace them again for a 2 pairs of Denso re-gaped and clean (but old) I checked the ones I just remove and only one was kind of black, other had the tip loose...but all of them less than 0.7mm gap...I'll check cables too...

 

What are the part numbers for the plugs? If it is not running rich, but the plugs are black, then you are running too cold of a plug and they are not reaching self-cleaning temperature.

 

what kind of parts?

 

Moe is spot on,denso might not match the original heat range like ngk bpr7es

 

i've tried plugs a heat range each way and it made little difference.
here's the clue

 

Order new plugs.

Gary H.

 

Use the ngk's. My bike (86 700) never really seemed to like anything else.

I'm also questioning if you might be due for a tuneup.

 

Ok guys, I changed the spark plugs for a Champion that, based on a cross reference table that Toomanybike sent me the link, are the ones that should work too on the bike. So far they are pretty good. This afternoon I'm gonna pull them out and check them. Sure, is time for a new carburation, last was 3 years ago, the problem is since I don't have the time and the place to do it, get somebody to do it right, it's simple there isn't. For me, all about carbs are almost magical, since I never found anybody that can explain me what, or how to do it...specially in this kind of bikes that are not the same as the regular 2 carb, 2 cil chopper...

 

Have you read "the whole 9 yards" and "in the church of clean"?

 

If you bike is running well I wouldn't mess with the carbs. Carbs don't just mysteriously get dirty or clogged, especially if you are running the bike regularly and have an inline fuel filter. If you let it sit up for a long time or run it with no fuel filter then you will have problems. I have a 25 yr old truck with 187,000 miles and I've never touched the carb. My 2001 Honda Shadow has 37,000+ miles and the carbs have never been touched. If you think there might be some slight carb issue then add a can of Seafoam to the gas and see if that helps--it certainly won't hurt.

 

Tabaka is right, to a point.... A 4 carb setup with pinhole sized jets is a bit different than a trick, but overall.... Carb problems usually just don't appear.

 

Hi Tabaka... right... I don't even want to mess with carbs. Last time was a nightmare. On the other hand, you touched my soft spot with Honda. I've been riding for +20 years, all my bikes were Honda and all of them were Shadows....I'll be forever in love with the Shadow line, got 2 Vlx 600, a 2003 750 a.c.e brand new, and a 1100. In 7 years I put in the a.c.e.750, 75,000 miles on her, I never change even the battery, only tires and chain... I wish any shadow can have the hp of my maxim now...
Back to my problem with carbs, it's not the carbs it self, but the intake boots are driving my nuts. They are hard to find. I know Len have them but I'm not sure if they will pass custom here and get to my door. I'm trying to find them locally.

 

Rod,

Don't get discouraged...you're frustrated. It happens to all of us. Walk away for a day or two then come back with fresh eyes. Just about anything you'll need help with to get her right is here including the carbs. Using the correct parts will go a long way when troubleshooting problems. Smile man, you've got this.

Gary H.

 

I really appreciated Gary... sometimes it's frustrating not for the job itself but to get the parts. Damn, I remember my days in Florida when you walk into a dealership and you left with everything you need in less than 20 min... And here I am hoping to get a part that I can modified to fit and then pray that works... I'm not cut for this third world shit... In the bight side, I'll become and artisan... making and modifying parts....ahahahahahhaah... Thanks again.

 

The boots can be repaired. Scrub them clean, degrease with carb cleaner, paying close attention to getting the cracks clean. Cover them with black oil-resistant RTV. The RTV can be smoothed by dipping a gloved finger in water and using your finger to smooth the RTV. Let the RTV cure, and reinstall the boots. This can also be done with the boots in place.