SuzukiSavage.com - spark plug color has changed

rijopiatt

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Posts: 99
Columbia City, Indiana
Gender: male

spark plug color has changed
11/22/15 at 16:35:23

2012 with 11,000 plus miles and a new standard NGK DPR8EA-9 plug approx. 3,000 miles ago. The previous standard plug was inspected at the recommended intervals and the porcelain was always a light tan in color. My first interval inspection of this new plug (today) shows the porcelain to be white and the outer electrode a sort of powder gray (like you could take your finger and wipe dust off of it, but it's the discoloration).
My riding style has changed since the new plug was installed, in that I shift at higher rpms than previously, but within an acceptable range:
(approximations)
1st. 0-20mph
2nd.20-35mph
3rd. 35-45mph
4th. 45-55mph
5th. 55-on (rarely go over 60-65mph)

Also, the discoloration on the exhaust pipe is extended farther out and, I've developed an oil leak at the speedometer cable seal (I've got a new one I'll be installing this week). Is all or any of this due to the change in my riding style or is the honeymoon over for me and my "new S40" due to mileage? (ie. I've got to start tinkering with carburation etc.)

Rick in Indiana

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2012 S40 w/12,000 miles: drag bars with bar end weights, raised seat, Raptor petcock.

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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28660 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: spark plug color has changed Reply #1 - 11/22/15 at 16:58:05 Shift points seem fine,... too many people lug the engine... I bet your plug is fine too... Don't worry about it, unless it's gummy black, or melting... ... Ride 'er like you stole 'er... Fresh Rotella every 3k... ... Mine's got 36k, and I wup' the snot out of her on a regular basis... ...
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28886 L.A. California Gender:	Re: spark plug color has changed Reply #2 - 11/22/15 at 17:00:57 'bot... doesn't colder weather make you lean?
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justin_o_guy2

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What happened?

Posts: 55279
East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.

Re: spark plug color has changed
Reply #3 - 11/22/15 at 17:16:42

Not me. I put a few pounds on every winter.
Cooler air is more dense. Fuel/air ratio changes.
The old plug survived seasonal changes and didn't change appearance.
Air filter can change things. Muffler guts burning away can change things.
Cam timing changes over time.

It IS a different plug. Same numbers, but is it exactly the same?
Maybe Sea Foam, maybe a jet is minutely restricted.

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The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.- Edmund Burke.

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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28660 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: spark plug color has changed Reply #4 - 11/22/15 at 17:50:38 verslagen1 wrote on 11/22/15 at 17:00:57: 'bot... doesn't colder weather make you lean? Maybe a little,.. but not far enough to fall over... ...
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Art Webb

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SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 3007
columbus, Texas
Gender: male

Re: spark plug color has changed
Reply #5 - 11/23/15 at 10:44:59

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 11/22/15 at 17:16:42:

Not me. I put a few pounds on every winter.
Cooler air is more dense. Fuel/air ratio changes.
The old plug survived seasonal changes and didn't change appearance.
Air filter can change things. Muffler guts burning away can change things.
Cam timing changes over time.

It IS a different plug. Same numbers, but is it exactly the same?
Maybe Sea Foam, maybe a jet is minutely restricted.

This, check all these things

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rijopiatt Junior Member Offline Posts: 99 Columbia City, Indiana Gender:	Re: spark plug color has changed Reply #6 - 11/23/15 at 17:07:10 Thanks all. I'll put the Sea Foam in when I put everything back together and check the plug again some miles later.
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: spark plug color has changed Reply #7 - 11/23/15 at 18:26:53 If the old plug was still running okay, maybe run it and see if it changes.
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rijopiatt Junior Member Offline Posts: 99 Columbia City, Indiana Gender:	Re: spark plug color has changed Reply #8 - 11/24/15 at 16:04:47 Good idea, unfortunately I threw it away 3,000 miles ago. I won't be so hasty to purge old stuff next time.
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