Utter n00b spark plug question...

lard44 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Karma :

Hi all,

Picked up my first bike at the beginning of December...a Suzuki RG 125

https://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j310/lard44/DSC00159.jpg

I took all the bodywork off (held on with cable ties when I got it!), patched up a few cracks, and am in the process of wet/drying and priming the lot - the nasty glossy stuff had dripped and smeared everywhere!. I also had to sort out the electrics - the previous owner cut off the indicators and horn to pass the MOT I guess.

Tried to start it today (having been idle for a month) and, surprise surprise, it wouldn't. The engine turns over but no go. So I was going to check the spark plugs but...where are they?

It must be reeeeeealllllllly obvious but I dunno where to look...help!

Thanks,

P

Ichy · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

If you look at the top of the barrel you should see a thick wire coming out of the top. Follow it into the cylinder head/ barrel and you will see a cap of some type. Pull this up. There's your spark plug in the cylinder head.

Does this look right?

lard44 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Karma :

Cheers for the quick reply!

I can't see naff all out there atm but it's the first thing I'll be checking in the morning - if it hasn't snowed!

Times like these I wish I had a garage... Crying or Very sad

01dabreoo · Scooby Slapper Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Karma :

If you take your tank off you should be able to see it easily Smile

lard44 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Karma :

Right I've changed the spark plug (having measured the gap with one of those funky little tools first). I also drained the tank (it had been standing for a month+) and put in some fresh gas but still nothing. Engine turns over but won't start.

Any more suggestions? I don't know what else could have gone wrong in the month since it last started up fine...and I fear this could be trickier that I thought.

Ichy · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

Just look for any of the other threads on here for all the basic things to check. For starters, have you checked the plug is sparking? If you take it out again is it wet, smells of petrol?

Kill switch?

mattish · Spanner Monkey Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Karma :

Ive just come back to my 2t 350 after about a month and have the same problems, Ive stripped the bike down now and belive it to be bunged up carbs.

lard44 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Karma :

Might have to get the carb out then...

Plug is sparking, petrol is getting through, I SEEM to have compression (although I haven't tested it)...oh the joy...

Ichy · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

Clutch and side stand switch working ok?

lard44 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Karma :

Side stand seems fine, need to try the clutch tbh...

I pulled out the carb and saw a nozzle (not the throttle or the oil - those were connected fine) that didn't seem to be connected to anything - is this right?

https://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j310/lard44/DSC00179-1.jpg

Can't get the thing open as the heads on ALL the bolts has been utterly shagged. I've broken too many drill bits trying to get them out but I'll have another crack in the morning I guess.#

Cheers for all the input so far guys - might still crack this...

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

lard44 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Karma :

Aha - progress!

By taking out the spark plug and manually putting petrol in it ran! Albeit only for a few seconds as the tank had been disconnected.

Great...now...umm...what does this mean? It doesn't seem like a very time effective way of getting going...

Thanks for all the help so far - I'm not losing faith just yet!

The Artist · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Karma :

Ok, most engines need 3 things.

Fuel, compression and spark. BY doing the fuel in cylinder test, this means you have compression and spark. Therefore the problem is fuel not getting to the cylinder.

Remove carb, remove float bowl from underneath, if you have a compressor, get up to 80-120psi, and blow the s*** out of it! Point air in all the nooks and crannies, especially the main jet up the middle.
Be careful not to blow away any loose bits!!

Then soak in a pot of carb cleaner, not neccesary but if you have some, may aswell.

Reassemble and connect everything up. Make sure float is the right way up and is loose to move. Replace carb, should be good as new Very Happy

tutton · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jan 2008 Karma :

Mate the acid test of this is,

Put the carb back on,
Stick the bike in 1st gear
clutch in
Run as fast as u can and drop out the clutch
and give it a little gas not a lot otherwise itll stall, and then smack clutch back in.

This should start, as this doesnt use a spark as its forced engine start by the running momentum of the wheels, if that works you know theres a problem with either
Your plug still (Maybe giving too weak a spark, or the colour spark is wrong)
Your HT Lead (Ocasionally these so get abit shit, so could also be that)

If the carb isnt your answer try that ;D

Best appreciate that took me 10 mins to write out in english haha.
____________________
Past: '05 Peugeot XPS '99 Aprillia RS125 '94 FZR600R
Current: '02 ZX636 A1P '51 CCM R30

saturdaynight... · Derestricted Danger Joined: 22 Sep 2007 Karma :

lugoismad · Nova Slayer Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Karma :

lard44 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Karma :

I put a new in-line fuel filter in place, soaked and scrubbed the carb yesterday and having let it soak for half a day wiped it off and stuck it back on. STILL nowt. Embarassed

I haven't tried bump starting it yet, I'll give that a go tonight. At least it's dark quickly so no prat can see me making a tit of myself running round the estate Laughing

stirlinggaz · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Karma :

hi,
i find bump starting a bit of a nightmare!
must be my age &/or lack of fitness!
anyway i find bumping it in 2nd gear a lot better than first.
might be different with your bike however,
do it the lazy way & get someone to shove you!
cheers,
GAZ

tutton · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jan 2008 Karma :

Phil_P · Trackday Trickster Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Karma :

lard44 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Karma :

LOL no worries mate I didn't make it clear.

Yeah I did strip the carb - took the bowl off and gave it a clean - jammed the floats while I was at it so it had to come off again...

faddius · Traffic Copper Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Karma :

tried recharging the battery since you first started?

The continuous attempts to start the bike without it starting may be draining your battery.

truslack · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Karma :

Phil_P · Trackday Trickster Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Karma :

tutton · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jan 2008 Karma :

haha
soz for the confusion i ment
Battery/starter motor
haha Thumbs Up

____________________
Past: '05 Peugeot XPS '99 Aprillia RS125 '94 FZR600R
Current: '02 ZX636 A1P '51 CCM R30