spark plug question

[Anonymous]

ok. so im trying to get my 1982 gs650gl running. I bought it from my landlord and it had been sitting for a time. It would start, but any gas and it would die. Took the carbs out, got them cleaned, put them back in today, and no it dosen't start at all. Im thinking it might be a weak spark since the plugs are probably 10+ years old. can i use NGK iridium plugs i got for my car in my bike to see it thats the problem? Are car plugs ok for bikes? anyone know the difference? any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Gary Lich]

I assume you put the air box/filter back on after you cleaned the carbs. These bikes will hardly run without it. Also, tape your clutch lever in, remove one of the spark plugs, hold the bottom of it against the engine so it's making good contact, hit the starter button for a few seconds and you can look at the intensity of the spark (do it in a garage in dim lighting not out in the bright sunlight). If your getting a spark the problem is elsewhere (like it's not getting any gas).

[Anonymous]

Hi jman,

If you are asking about using your car plugs to check for fire with the plugs out of the head, sure, go ahead. But if you actually want to put them in the engine and try to start it you must make sure that the thread diameter, thread pitch, and plug reach (distance form the gasket to the tip of ground electrode) are the same. You can seriously damage your engine by using the wrong plug.

[Anonymous]

its has spark, but the airbox was junk and i forgot to get a new one! maybe thats why its not starting? it runs on starter fluid.

[argonsagas]

Having an air cleaner installed is critical to engine performance. It directly and immediately affects the fuel/air mixture that allows the engine to run.

The engine will run without the air cleaner, especially if you keep the choke engaged, to richen the mixture, but the amount of restriction to air flow that the air cleaner provides, while not great, is essential. Without that nominal air flow restriction, the engine will run very lean, and it will be prone to damage because of the changes in ignition timing and overheating caused by a too-lean mixture.

[Anonymous]

its has spark, but the airbox was junk and i forgot to get a new one! maybe thats why its not starting? it runs on starter fluid.

Now you're getting somewhere. If the bike is stock and the airbox is leaking it will cause the A/F mixture to be extremely lean. Replace the box or just seal the leaks and see what happens.

[Anonymous]

thank you all for your help. i will let you know how things go tomarrow.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

As stated earlier, get the right plugs.

[Anonymous]

plugs are no longer a possibility. Has to be some way im not getting fuel.