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Reading the tea leaves

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 9:39 am
by Rod.s
Well I've had my tea leaves read but how good are you at reading your plugs :D These are mine and this is the first time since owning the bike that I've changed them. Now, knowing what a pain in the a55 it is i think this set will last at least another 10000000000000K's as I've changed them to a set of NGK Iridium's.

So what do you see in the future for my engine :shock:

Plugs as they came out of the bike (left to right)

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Re: Reading the tea leaves

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:17 am
by Mincehead
Left plug looks pretty normal. The right plug shows oil residues and carbon build up. So...............
Suspect valve stem seals, maybe bores a tad glazed, but I`ve definately seen a lot worse!
YES, they`ve certainly been in situ a while looking at the oxisidisation on the zinc / cadmium plating of the steel plug body.
Does the bike puff a little bluish / white smoke on the overrun from the cylinder the right hand plug came out of. I`m guessing she does?
Mine does too from both cylinders but only if the motors been pushed on a bit, I see it most when she`s on the dyno, not too bad though, she`ll go on a tad longer, the motor is going to be out later in the year hopefully anyway.

Here you go:

http://www.exx.se/techinfo/sparkplugs_c ... plugs.html

Re: Reading the tea leaves

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 12:47 pm
by Rod.s
Mincehead wrote:Left plug looks pretty normal. The right plug shows oil residues and carbon build up. So...............
Suspect valve stem seals, maybe bores a tad glazed, but I`ve definately seen a lot worse!
YES, they`ve certainly been in situ a while looking at the oxisidisation on the zinc / cadmium plating of the steel plug body.
Does the bike puff a little bluish / white smoke on the overrun from the cylinder the right hand plug came out of. I`m guessing she does?
Mine does too from both cylinders but only if the motors been pushed on a bit, I see it most when she`s on the dyno, not too bad though, she`ll go on a tad longer, the motor is going to be out later in the year hopefully anyway.

Here you go:

http://www.exx.se/techinfo/sparkplugs_c ... plugs.html
Yep that sounds about right, as for blowing smoke don't know and no one has made any comments. She does use some oil and has a noisy tappet. My interest lies in the amount of oil on the thread of the right plug, which has me wondering if it's valve stem seals. I would do a leak down test but that will require me removing most ot the bike to get to where i need to be. But as there is the noisy tappet i might just pull the front end of and just sort the issue once and for all, valve stem seals and maybe a hone and new rings :cry:

Rod

Re: Reading the tea leaves

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 12:58 pm
by cobbadiggabuddyblooo
interesting search and links someone had done a only couple of weeks ago on prices on TDM 850 top end parts from the US .. have a search Rod it won't be too far back

Re: Reading the tea leaves

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 1:32 pm
by Rod.s
Cobba
I think I'll do a complete compression, leak down test, adjust the valves, rebuild the carbs first before thinking about a rebuild of the top end :D :D

Hopefully see you Sunday, rain holding off......

Rod

Re: Reading the tea leaves

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 2:40 pm
by Mincehead
Here you go guys, the thread Cobba was talking about :wink: :

http://trx850.motomaniac.net/forum/view ... ves#p63224

I intend to use the US site for parts, so much cheaper! I`m planning on building up my BRAND NEW cylinder head later in the year with ALL new components apart from reprofiled camshafts, if money and time are on my side.

Re: Reading the tea leaves

Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 12:03 pm
by Rod.s
cobbadiggabuddyblooo wrote:interesting search and links someone had done a only couple of weeks ago on prices on TDM 850 top end parts from the US .. have a search Rod it won't be too far back
Wonderfull :D just what i need to know and store away for a rainy day....

Rod