maxim x arcing on all wires (apparently SOLVED!)

I'm pulling my hair out here.

86 maxim x, new plugs, two different coil packs. Arcs on both packs. It only does this when the bike is good and warm. I thought it was bad boots, so I changed them out, one at a time. Now, granted, they are boots off another pack and just as old, so no telling if they are actually good or not. Called a local shop and they have me ordered new ngk boots.

Anything else it might be that I'm 'missing?' Bike runs like a dog too, and I'm wondering if it is just missing like hell and I can't tell under load. No, I haven't done a compression test yet. Thanks in advance

 

Re: maxim x arcing on all wires

Search "new wires" I just changed all my wires with a little work and it made a big difference, it's not hard or expensive.
Shaun

 

Re: maxim x arcing on all wires

I should have said, arcing on all boots. Local gurus state bad boots.

 

Re: maxim x arcing on all wires

I talked with Designer_Mike tonight (much thanks) and just got done pulling my spark plug boots apart...yeesh is all I can say. Corrosion, rust, and just all around nastiness. Two of the boots were actually missing a piece. I have all (minus one) boot parts soaking in parts cleaner overnight. I'll be posting pics of what the before and after looked like, but I anticipate much improvement considering these things looked like cr@p. I'm pulling my boots off MY x tomorrow and doing the same thing.

 

Re: maxim x arcing on all wires

I believe I solved the issue today. I cleaned out the stock spark plug boots and all, and still had the issue after a test run. Talked to another motorcycle enthusiast and he said it sounded like bad coils. This was after I pulled stock ngk plug boots from another one of my bikes and it did the same darn thing.

Swapped out the coil pack and apparently it solved the issue. Not sure where the problem was at, but it runs considerably better now. Thanks to Designer_Mike for the boot help too.