What are the symptoms of a faulty motorcycle spark plug?
2 Answers
Symptoms indicating a faulty motorcycle spark plug that needs replacement: difficulty starting, reduced power, excessive exhaust emissions, and increased fuel consumption. Severe spark plug damage may exhibit symptoms such as blistering at the tip, black streaks, cracking, or electrode melting. Methods to determine if a spark plug is damaged: Remove the spark plug and observe its condition based on the following appearance colors. A normal spark plug's insulator skirt and electrodes should appear gray-white, gray-yellow, or light brown. A properly functioning spark plug will have a reddish-brown insulator skirt, with an electrode gap between 0.8-0.9mm and no signs of electrode burning. If the spark plug is contaminated with oil or deposits but is not damaged, it can continue to be used after cleaning off the oil and deposits. If the spark plug is severely damaged, showing blistering, black streaks, cracking, or electrode melting at the tip, the cause of the damage should be identified. After troubleshooting, replace the spark plug with a new one. Additionally, if the spark plug appears black as if smoked, it indicates an incorrect heat range selection or a rich fuel mixture, possibly with oil leakage.
Last time my motorcycle's spark plug failed, the symptoms were quite obvious. It often wouldn't start, requiring multiple attempts to ignite the engine, especially on cold mornings. At idle, the engine shook violently, making the bike feel like it was falling apart even at red lights. There was no power during acceleration - the throttle response was sluggish, and climbing even a small hill was a struggle. Fuel consumption also skyrocketed; where a full tank used to last 100km, now 80km was pushing it - such a waste of money. In severe cases, black smoke would come from the exhaust pipe, and restarting after stopping became difficult, which was downright maddening. I also noticed increased engine noise with slight popping sounds. Fortunately, I replaced the spark plug in time to avoid stalling mid-ride and potential accidents. Regular inspections are truly crucial - don't let it ruin your riding experience.
