Oil-fouled plugs

**Rupe** · 5th August 2007, 18:57

I've gone through two plugs in the last two rides, and they are new ones. Basically I go for a ride come back to the car for a rest, when I get on it again and give it some gas it has died. I think the bike is set up fine, and the pre-mix is fine, I'm prob just a bit slower then the last owner as I'm learning

What I was wondering was can I clean the plugs and re-use them or do I have to go buy new ones. Also hows best to clean them?

**scott411** · 5th August 2007, 19:02

you can not really clean them,

sounds like your bike is running a bit rich on the bottom if it is fouling plugs when idling, , try a smaller pilot jet,

also if you still are having trouble, nromal type plugs are less prone to fouling than platnium or irridium ones,

**Rupe** · 5th August 2007, 19:09

Originally Posted by scott411

you can not really clean them,

sounds like your bike is running a bit rich on the bottom if it is fouling plugs when idling, , try a smaller pilot jet,

also if you still are having trouble, nromal type plugs are less prone to fouling than platnium or irridium ones,

Ok, maybe I'll try a BR8ES instead of a BR8EG?

Not sure if I want to fiddle with the jetting as the last owner said he'd spent a bit of time getting it just right.

**laRIKin** · 5th August 2007, 20:29

As said it is hard to clean spark plugs.
You can if you sand blast them.
I use river sand as it is not to abrasive and I can get it free, you guessed it, from the river bed.
Just make sure you get all the sand (or want ever you use) out of the plug as it will do your engine some harm.

As for the reason for fouling, I can not fix a bike I can not see.
And because you think that the jetting is right as the last owner spent a lot of time jetting it.

Now the last guy maybe riding the bike harder and has set up the jetting a little rich at the bottom, so the motor gets a bit more oil when you button off. (I use to do this)

And is normally not a problem as when you get back on the throttle it will burn off the extra oil.
It can be a problem if you have to ride slow in tricky conditions for to long.

If this is not the case, the motor may be flooding between stopping and starting again, so try turning the fuel tap off if you are not doing this already.

And for some unknown reason this seems to happen a lot when buying a new bike.
For some reason you think that you are mixing the same oil to fuel and the bike fouls plugs.
Different measuring jug's, petrol who knows, but you are not alone with this problem.
So you may have to re-jet the bike or try a hotter plug.

Hope this helps.

**Rupe** · 5th August 2007, 20:45

Thanks, looks like I'll have to try re-jetting it.

Not sure what you mean with the fuel tap? Do you mean I should run the bike with the tap in the off position while riding slow tricky stuff?

Also any ideas on the plug, the manual says to use a BR8EG, but the guy I brought it off had a BR8ES in it (But I fouled that one). Scott said normal plugs foul less than irridium or platinum ones?

**scott411** · 5th August 2007, 21:13

i have not used eg's for a while, we normally use br9eix irridium plugs and they are especailly bad for fouling

**chop** · 5th August 2007, 22:00

I never had any luck with eix`s in my rm always used eg`s or ev`s and didnt have any greif with them try lifting the needle a clip a notch thatll lean it up a bit down low.

**laRIKin** · 5th August 2007, 22:18

Originally Posted by rupecopp

Not sure what you mean with the fuel tap? Do you mean I should run the bike with the tap in the off position while riding slow tricky stuff?

Also any ideas on the plug, the manual says to use a BR8EG, but the guy I brought it off had a BR8ES in it (But I fouled that one). Scott said normal plugs foul less than irridium or platinum ones?

No I did not mean turn the fuel off when riding, I just meant turn it off when not riding.
Most people do this ay the end of the day when finished riding.
But if the needle seat in the carb is leaking, it could be doing it enough to flood and foul the plug on start up if the bike has been sitting for a while.
Not that likely, but worth a try as it costs nothing.

And try a BR7EG or a BR7ES, they are one grade hotter and it could be enough to help stop the plugs fouling.
And I like to carry a hotter plug as a spare, because if you foul a plug for some reason in the bush, there is a chance that you could do it again.
So a hotter plug could stop it happening again and get you home.

You just can not ride as hard for a long time with a hotter plug or if the mixture is lean.
Just check the plug if you are unsure and if to light a colour, ride slow or put the colder plug back in and sort out the mixture.

**Henk** · 5th August 2007, 23:02

The other thing to look at is your premix ratio. Is it the same as the previous owner? A lot of people get this backwards but running less oil actually makes the bike run richer and more prone to fouling plugs not the other way round.

**Danger** · 6th August 2007, 09:49

First things first check your air screw setting. back it out a 1/4 turn from where it is now, if it idles high for longer than a few seconds when you come to a stop, turn it back in an 1/8.

**F5 Dave** · 6th August 2007, 14:59

He is actually running more oil than the predecessor, 40:1 rather than 50:1 (sez in another post).

The ECs are jetted a but weird. Most bikes are rich std, mine had been played with & I tried some different jets but I bought an LTR jet kit (~$36US I saw recently) & learnt something I didn't appreciate.

I think I had a 40 pilot jet but was still a bit rich & with the LTR kit it was a 50. (don't quote me on numbers). This seemed queer, but it worked!

The needle they use stock ties to operate over a range it can't fully control. Hence it is trying to use the needle to meter fuel for the idle, but that only results in too large droplets where it would be better to try & run that range (just off idle) through the pilot jet.

Fine adjustments from idle mix for conditions was all it needed (for my 02).

Spend the small amount of money for the kit, with the stock needle you won't get anywhere. But do check that the float needle isn't leaking. If left on its stand does it overflow out the tubes? That would be an issue. Otherwise I only turn the tap off at the end of the day.

I think I run 8s & we faff around a bit trail riding so no racer. I changed the plug the other day more out of guilt than anything else. (now that I've said this I hope I won't regret it but

I don't think I've fouled a plug on it.

**Danger** · 6th August 2007, 15:27

F5 Dave has some good advice. I only just picked up that we were talking about a Gas Gas (thought you had an RMX for some reason

).

A person that has a lot of experience with Gas Gas is Linton from Dirt Action Services in Christchurch. I would give him a call if I was you. He is a great guy and will chew your ear off and my bet is that he will know what jets you need and will be able to send you the right jets for the job. I have a KTM 200 which are also too rich down low and then break into a lean midrange and a straight taper needle sorts those out along with some other changes. I got mine from Linton a few years ago. If you do run straight taper needle you need to go up at least 2 x on the main jet size.

Lintons number is 03 389 0080.

Let us know how you get on.