I've been reading up on a lot of the threads here, and I don't know, but maybe because I was raised by a bunch of gearheads, something that was beat into to me by anyone I learned from was to always check the basics first when you have a problem.
And if you have an engine running problem look at the spark plug, it can tell you a whole lot about the condition of your engine. Is it running rich or lean, carbon fouled, oil fouled, electrode worn or burnt, deposits, flooded, just plain worn out.
That one little thing is like the diary of the engine. And often it's the last things folks look at when they have a problem.
The other day I had a guy come into the shop. He couldn't get his ATV to start for a couple of weeks now. (We don't work on bikes or ATV's or boats, yet folks are always coming by)Told me he changed the gas, changed the oil, replace the air and fuel filters, and the battery.
Didn't fix it so he called the dealer. Someone there talked him into a new fuel injector and wiring harness. To the tune of $1000.00. hmy: Still doesn't run.
I ask, "What does the plug look like?" And in turn I get the deer in the headlights look from him. "Plug???"
"Yeah the spark plug, what does it look like?" More confused looks.
Grab a couple of sockets and a ratchet and walk outside to his truck/ATV. Pop the lead off, and remove the plug.
Talk about a surprise! The thing looked like it came out of Davey Jones Locker! Both electrodes and the inside of the body of the plug were one giant pile of rust, and gas soaked. I've never seen a plug looking so bad.
I show him the plug and ask him when did the thing stop running. "Oh, I got it in some deep water, it ran rough for a bit then it died and wouldn't start." :doah:
Walk back in the shop, grab a new plug and gap it. Have him crank the engine over a couple of times to clear it out. Install the plug and lead, and have him try and start it. It fires up almost immediately and sits there running.
He hangs his head, and I walk back into the shop shaking mine.ut:
And if you have an engine running problem look at the spark plug, it can tell you a whole lot about the condition of your engine. Is it running rich or lean, carbon fouled, oil fouled, electrode worn or burnt, deposits, flooded, just plain worn out.
That one little thing is like the diary of the engine. And often it's the last things folks look at when they have a problem.
The other day I had a guy come into the shop. He couldn't get his ATV to start for a couple of weeks now. (We don't work on bikes or ATV's or boats, yet folks are always coming by)Told me he changed the gas, changed the oil, replace the air and fuel filters, and the battery.
Didn't fix it so he called the dealer. Someone there talked him into a new fuel injector and wiring harness. To the tune of $1000.00. hmy: Still doesn't run. I ask, "What does the plug look like?" And in turn I get the deer in the headlights look from him. "Plug???"
"Yeah the spark plug, what does it look like?" More confused looks.
Grab a couple of sockets and a ratchet and walk outside to his truck/ATV. Pop the lead off, and remove the plug.
Talk about a surprise! The thing looked like it came out of Davey Jones Locker! Both electrodes and the inside of the body of the plug were one giant pile of rust, and gas soaked. I've never seen a plug looking so bad.
I show him the plug and ask him when did the thing stop running. "Oh, I got it in some deep water, it ran rough for a bit then it died and wouldn't start." :doah:
Walk back in the shop, grab a new plug and gap it. Have him crank the engine over a couple of times to clear it out. Install the plug and lead, and have him try and start it. It fires up almost immediately and sits there running.
He hangs his head, and I walk back into the shop shaking mine.
ut:
