| Author | Message | ||
     Fresnobuell |
okay, my non-mechanical self wants to know how exactly this works? How does the spark plug clean itself? | ||
| Dipstick |
Fresno, as I understand it, the plugs clean themselves by firing very rapidly (many times a second). The ECM does this on its own if several successive short trips are made without reaching normal operating temp. There is also a means to do this manually using the passing lite switch, the procedure is in the owners manual. I'm sure this feature exists because you have to rotate the engine to get to the plugs! Something you ain't going to do on the side of the road. As long as you don't blip the throttle when it's cold you should have no problems. (And I thought changing plugs on my XB12 was tough!) | ||
| Banana_man |
After completing the sequence to perform the spark plug cleaning. The ECU fires the spark plug three or four times without injecting any fuel into the system. This is supposed to generate a spark and evaporate the fuel soaking the plug. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
So its really a procedure to help a flooded engine not "clean" the plugs. | ||
| Steeltech |
No, fres. The rapid firing is to burn off carbon on the electrode. It doesn't make them super clean, just clean enough to keep going. ST | ||
| 1_mike |
BUT...if the engine is running correctly...it's a useless option...right ? Because there's nothing to burn off! Mike | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I saw both my plugs about 11,000 miles during some warranty work and the both looked good (lean looking combustion if anything.) There is something to letting the beast warm up before riding. I did that with my XB as well--the plugs that came out of that bike looked even better. The bike enriches the mixture significantly when cold, so I assume that revving or riding a cold engine would burn a very rich mixture, possibly fouling the plugs if done repeatedly? | ||
| Fast1075 |
Does the engine use conventional plugs, or exotic metal plugs?? | ||
| Zac4mac |
My plugs at 12k were shot. Less than half the electrode left. The electrode is round when new, mine was an oval at the top. Zack | ||
| Dipstick |
Right Fresno, bliping the throttle when it's cold could wet foul the plugs. The mechanics at my dealer hate it when a salesman fires up an XB showing it to a customer and blips the throttle when it's cold, two or three times of this and they have to change the plugs. The 1125 is probably the same in this regard. I have had no problems with my 09 1125R, other than the rear tire being gone at 2400 mi. | ||
| Sparky |
Fast, the 1125 uses a two ground electrode plug, NGK CR9EKB. EKB: Erik "King" Buell? How fitting, heh heh. | ||
| Fast1075 |
Thanks Sparky...but where I was going with it, is if the plugs are made of "conventional" materials a substitution with "iridium" plugs would lenghten the life by a huge factor if such plugs are available... | ||
| Sparky |
If you are mainly concerned about plug life and high performance, check out Torque Master plugs. I'd go with the original type. They are virtually foul-proof by design. Those are what I've put in all my previous Buells with great results. For instance, my '96 S1 has put over 60000 miles with the same set. I'm thinking about getting a set for a new 1125R. | ||
| Bcrawf68 |
Hey Dipstick, I couldn't find the 'passing lite switch' cleaning procedure in the manual. How do you do it? | ||
| Dipstick |
Bcrawf, I couldn't find it in my owners manual either, I must have read it in the service manual. When I get home after work I'll grab it and post the procedure for you. | ||
| Dipstick |
OK heres the procedure for manual cleaning of the plugs: Repeat the following sequence 3 times:1. Roll and hold the throttle wide open.2. Turn the ignition to ON.3. Wait 3 seconds.4. Release the throttle grip.5. Turn the ignition to OFF.(I was was wrong about the passing lite thing, don't know where I got that)The service manual further states that if the ECM records 5 starts without letting the engine warm up to full operating temp. that it will automatically execute a spark plug clean before starting the engine. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Passing lite is to activate the lap timer. | ||
| Dipstick |
Thats where I got it! I read and re-read the service manual and it never mentioned the passing lite switch anywhere in the engine or spark plug section. Thought I was losing my mind. Thanks Fresno.  |
