P700 Are these plugs fouled (pics)

[bigshoe]

It's possible, premium has a slower burn rate than a lower octane. Running a higher octane than the engine needs is flushing money down the drain. Make the dealer install spec plugs - they're idiots for that reason alone.

fwiw: since the 700 seems to have one plug that burns blacker than the other, I'd try a one step hotter plug in that location. This is because I'm a closet motorhead, so proceed at your own risk.

How high of a octane are u running

 

[CID]

How high of a octane are u running

The Talon manual (my ride) calls for 86 or higher, our mid grade is 87 so that's what I'm running. I ride at 7k + altitude, no air, less compression pressure. Since 86 is good at sea level, it's super safe up here.

 

[bigshoe]

The Talon manual (my ride) calls for 86 or higher, our mid grade is 87 so that's what I'm running. I ride at 7k + altitude, no air, less compression pressure. Since 86 is good at sea level, it's super safe up here.

Sorry that was suppose to go to other guy but yeah I'm running 87 winter 93 summer keeps valves from rattlingly when its super hot . Anything above 93 a waste i got 100 that I run in a bored x stroke 300ex it has 13.1 compression i mixed some of that down when I didnt feel like running to store and p1000 didnt like it!

 

[Slackjaw]

Dropped the pioneer off at it's second home (dealers repair dept) yesterday.
Probably won't have it over the holidays.

 

[RedLevel]

You better be positive it isn't contaminated fuel. Sounds like some diesel got mixed in somewhere. Check your barrel.

 

[Griff]

Plug definitely looks rich,as @BigMac said double check the gap, too much gap will retard the timing. I would try 87 octane non ethanol. It would lean it up over using premium

That’s funny.

 

[Slackjaw]

That’s funny.

Please elaborate?
I never imagined 93 octane would be bad for my Pioneer! Definitely learning stuff here.

 

[Mopower58]

Honda recomends 87 octane. Starts easier and runs leaner. Why pay more for premium that doesn't help?

 

[RLovgren]

First off, I'm new to SxSs but with today's fuels, plugs burn almost white. If that's also true with SxSs it looks like you're burning way too rich. Normally, that's caused by short trips without warm ups but that's not your problem.

Semantics - a fouled plug won't fire so you could hook up the plug wire and ground the plug, crank the engine over and see if you have spark. No spark, fouled. Even if they spark they still shouldn't be black.

Just keep in mind that plugs that won't fire under compression (in the cylinder) may visibly spark when you test them out of the cylinder. Compression inhibits sparking

 

[Smitty335]

Just keep in mind that plugs that won't fire under compression (in the cylinder) may visibly spark when you test them out of the cylinder. Compression inhibits sparking

Didn't know, so are you saying it may show a spark outside of the cylinder and still be faulty?

 

[CID]

Just keep in mind that plugs that won't fire under compression (in the cylinder) may visibly spark when you test them out of the cylinder. Compression inhibits sparking

Good point - I agree.

Didn't know, so are you saying it may show a spark outside of the cylinder and still be faulty?

Yeppers, but it's still a valid trouble shooting idea.

 

[RLovgren]

Good point - I agree.
Yeppers, but it's still a valid trouble shooting idea.

Yes. but like it has been mentioned, it still is a good test. Champion makes a spark plug tester that uses compressed air. you can increase the pressure until the spark fails or is irregular and compare it to the compression spec of your engine. These are only found in repair shops and I'd be willing to bet that if you get a spark the simple way, outside the cylinder, its probably ok. My guess, for what it's worth, is that the plugs are either the wrong heat range or gap. Or engine is running too rich. The larger the gap on a spark, the hotter the spark but also the shorter the duration of the spark. I am not very knowledgeable on SXS's but on cars the fuel mixture is so lean that the spark has to last until all the fuel is burned. not like the old days when once the fuel air mixture is ignited it will keep burning on its own. Big gap = short duration, small gap = long duration

 

[Dirtstiffs-1000]

At a 40,000 foot fly over read, I noticed you said same gas can as your saws. You wouldn't be inadvertently be using mixed oil and gas in your rig. Maybe why it looks and runs rich.
Just sayin

 

[Slackjaw]

At a 40,000 foot fly over read, I noticed you said same gas can as your saws. You wouldn't be inadvertently be using mixed oil and gas in your rig. Maybe why it looks and runs rich.
Just sayin

Definitely a good thought.
The mixed gas is in a 1 gallon can. No
chance of mixing it up. I bet it would smoke like a chimney with 40:1.

 

[RandalH]

Update?

 

[Ron_Vorwerk]

Everyone has strong opinions about these type of things, so not trying to start something. However I recommend you move to Champion Spark Plugs. Champion (Owned by Tenneco)... has a mfg facility in Iowa. US based company.

 

[Mudwing]

Everyone has strong opinions about these type of things, so not trying to start something. However I recommend you move to Champion Spark Plugs. Champion (Owned by Tenneco)... has a mfg facility in Iowa. US based company.

Do you know the crossover part number? 🙂 Could you post a link, please? 🙂

 

[RandalH]

Just did a search..

 

[Mudwing]

Just did a search..
View attachment 251310

Good deal. That gives us some options. 😎