guzziriders.org - moto guzzi forum Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > Technical > Small Blocks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Spark Plugs
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Spark Plugs

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Message
Erickrout View Drop Down
Falcone
Falcone
Avatar

Joined: 23 Feb 2019
Location: York
Status: Offline
Points: 25
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Erickrout Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Spark Plugs
    Posted: 08 Mar 2019 at 18:34
New owner, low low low maintenance skills.  Is changing the two outer spark plugs not real difficult?  i bought two plugs but then i saw a video saying if you overtighten you got real problems so i'm halfway thinking of just paying a mechanic to do it
Eric
Back to Top
Erickrout View Drop Down
Falcone
Falcone
Avatar

Joined: 23 Feb 2019
Location: York
Status: Offline
Points: 25
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Erickrout Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Mar 2019 at 14:49
Apologize for the stupid post.  Obviously if i cant change the spark plugs i probably shouldnt even have this bike.  always worried i'm going to screw something up when i have something really nice
Back to Top
Brian UK View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 13 May 2014
Location: Surrey
Status: Offline
Points: 17641
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brian UK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Mar 2019 at 15:25
So long as you use a spanner/wrench which has a short handle - around 6 inches max. you should have no problems.
New plugs do sometimes need retightening, as the crush washer fitted beds in.
Brian.

Better 5 minutes late in this world than years early in the next.
Back to Top
NevadaJohn View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 28 Apr 2016
Location: South Devon
Status: Offline
Points: 197
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NevadaJohn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Mar 2019 at 22:54
You could also invest in a small torque wrench. Not expensive from a tool outlet. My Nevada needs a long and narrow extension and a tightening torque of around 7 to 9 Nm. Or just use a short tommy bar through the standard plug spanner that comes with the Guzzi tool kit. Screw the plug down then apply another 1/4 to 1/2 turn until its hand tight. A little more torque than a petrol mower! Then leave it alone and don’t fiddle! Learn on the job and you will get considerable satisfaction. Small jobs on your bike? Google or You Tube for the right technique. Guzzis are meant to be serviced by the owner. 
Nevada John
Back to Top
BobV7 View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 20 Nov 2014
Location: W. Sussex
Status: Offline
Points: 2740
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BobV7 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Mar 2019 at 23:24
Folks seem to get screwed up about spark plugs. (Please excuse the unintended pun!) They are not a difficult component to fit just as long as you screw them in by hand at first before the final tightening. This helps prevent the most common error of cross threading. Then they just need a final turn with a short handled plug spanner to nip up the crush washer and form a gas tight seal. Personally I think using a torque wrench is overkill and I've seen a quite a few threads stripped by inexperienced users because they were wrongly set. Spark plugs are not holding another component in place; they are an electrical device not a bolt and should be treated as such. I'm not getting into the debate on which lubricant you should use but a dab of grease when you fit them will make it easier to take them out again.
V7 Classic Black and gold was the best. But green & black was nice too. Now blue is in!
Back to Top
Erickrout View Drop Down
Falcone
Falcone
Avatar

Joined: 23 Feb 2019
Location: York
Status: Offline
Points: 25
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Erickrout Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Mar 2019 at 23:59
Well i did it and ran the bike, so if it's running i didn't mess it up right?
Back to Top
NevadaJohn View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 28 Apr 2016
Location: South Devon
Status: Offline
Points: 197
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NevadaJohn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Mar 2019 at 07:33
Yep I agree with all of that. Maybe I was getting a bit too technical! As for grease I’ve always used a very small amount of Coppereze on the threads and yes it does facilitate removal at the next service. Incidentally, the handbook for my Nevada states a spark plug change every 6,000 miles. Now I do think that is overkill and tend to wait until 10,000 miles. But what do folks think?
Nevada John
Back to Top
Guzzi1000SE View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 23 Dec 2018
Location: South Yorkshire
Status: Offline
Points: 590
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guzzi1000SE Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Mar 2019 at 10:00
As long as you followed the advice on here and the bike is running fine it definitely seems like you did it right.

If you are wanting to do your own basic maintenance, have you thought about doing a DIY basic mechanics course?
Back to Top
JoMac View Drop Down
Falcone
Falcone


Joined: 04 Apr 2022
Location: Southwest UK
Status: Offline
Points: 30
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JoMac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jul 2022 at 21:00
I have always in the past used a little smear of copper grease on plug threads especially on deep set into the heads.  I have since been told that all modern plugs have a thread metallurgy that is less prone to problems in damp weather where in the past older type plugs could corrode into the head .  Using copper grease on modern NGK plugs especially and all modern plugs manufacture today can cause over tightening of the plug which can shear the plug body leaving the thread in the head .  Nothing to do with plugs being made of cheaper materials then ? I cannot say it’s ever happened to me ..yet . 
Back to Top
tonti View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 06 Oct 2017
Location: uk
Status: Offline
Points: 347
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tonti Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jul 2022 at 22:59
NGK say donot put any lube on plug threads put them in dry.
Back to Top
Simond View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 May 2021
Location: Kent
Status: Offline
Points: 886
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Simond Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jul 2022 at 03:00
A lubricated thread will develop a greater tension for the same torque.  Whilst it seems unlikely that anyone who wasn’t trying really hard could break a spark plug, I guess it’s possible with a decent Tommy-bar and arms like a gorilla…
Back to Top
Brian UK View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 13 May 2014
Location: Surrey
Status: Offline
Points: 17641
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brian UK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jul 2022 at 08:01
Well I'm happy to let the gorillas sort out their own problems. I would always use copper grease on the threads All you need to do is crush the washer to get a seal. They don't need to be "tight".
Brian.

Better 5 minutes late in this world than years early in the next.
Back to Top
Andyb View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 02 Jul 2016
Location: Nottinghamshire
Status: Offline
Points: 602
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Andyb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jul 2022 at 08:47
I have seen the results of a spark plug which broke off when it was being undone - it had been lathered in copper grease when fitted and was claimed to have been torqued to the book value. Torque figures are for dry threads and have to be reduced by 1/3 if the thread is lubricated.  Too much lube can also foul the electrode..…and as said above, NGK now say to fit dry.
Personally I put a very little copper slip just on the outer thread of the plugs of my old BMW as with the boxer engine water can spray onto them.  On my MG I leave the threads dry as the plugs never get wet.
A spark plug thread (ouch) could almost get as interesting as an oil thread!
AndyB

Back to Top
Andy M View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 27 Jan 2015
Location: Leeds
Status: Offline
Points: 1129
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Andy M Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jul 2022 at 09:33
Either or for me. I never use a torque wrench, it's pointless unless the calibration is up to date*. I never leave them in long enough to corrode, the valves are getting done at least once a year. Just nip them up and if you can see or hear anything when you start it give it another sixth of a turn. Modern materials are designed to work without grease, but if you want it allow for it. 

The plug suppliers info will make their life easier when the dealers gorilla does use a three foot bar with numbers on to crack the head. First hint of grease and any claim is rejected.

*my favourite is when they take the uncalibrated ten year old number bar, let it click off then give it a quarter turn for luck LOL

Andy 
Back to Top
Brian UK View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 13 May 2014
Location: Surrey
Status: Offline
Points: 17641
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brian UK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jul 2022 at 12:26
Can't imagine why anyone would need a torque wrench to do up a spark plug.
I've never used on for this application, never had a spark plug fall out and never had one seize in or break.  What's the odds of sod's law hitting next time.
Brian.

Better 5 minutes late in this world than years early in the next.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.03
Copyright ©2001-2019 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.078 seconds.