Only three cylinders working.

Sephiroth · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Karma :

Suzuki Bandit 400, 1992 import blah blah blah.

Well today the bike is only running on three cylinders.

The second cylinder's HT lead was being pulled quite a bit as the lead was very short. I moved it a bit while the bike was running and it fired up on all four randomly.

Checked and there is a spark.

Any ideas?

Might of dropped a valve which I very dearly hope not.

irving · Traffic Copper Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Karma :

mchaggis · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 May 2004 Karma :

It's possible the HT lead doesn't sit properly on the spark plug when it's in the engine but will do fine when the plug is out of the block. Either get it to sit properly onto the plug, or get an HT lead which is long enough to and try again.

I'm a bit perplexed as to why an HT lead should be too short unless somehow it has managed to be routed incorrectly? Eh?

Be careful with HT circuits when they're running. They can give you a hell of a jolt (my thumb felt like someone hit it with a hammer) and potentially get you into trouble.
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Sephiroth · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Karma :

Sorry, the length of the lead was okish before i had a problem, but it was 'just enough' so to speak.

The bike was running on three cylinders before I had a look.

I've changed the lead for a longer piece and still no joy (but at least it's long enough now).

I was in work on my lunch break when I took a look at it first off. As I had no tools I couldn't take the tank off to check everything. I noticed the lead was a bit tight and pulled it a bit so it fit into the coil a bit more and then it proceeded to run on four cylinders.

Then I let go of it and then it went back to three.

irving · Traffic Copper Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Karma :

Blau Zedong · Banned Joined: 26 Jun 2006 Karma :

New leads and caps please. i swopped them on my 400 bandit because OE ones are shite, especially once they get old. Plus if you change all the leads you can be less stingy with the length of them.
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Walloper · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Karma :

That's funny mines only runs on three two.... Laughing

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Sephiroth · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Karma :

Problem solved.

Even though I could see a spark, the plug was a bit fooked.

Rushed down to Busters and bought a new one, popped it in outside the shop and rode home.

I know it's only a little 400, but I forgot how fast it actually was.

Thanks all anyway.