Spark plugs

[Croyde]

Hi all,

Guess which plugs were in 2&3 cylinders.
This on a 2006 bike with FSH at main dealers.
I don't think they've ever been changed.

Sorry trying to upload pics but too big. I'll try later

[Art]

Spark plugs for the SC58 has been a hot topic in the past with folk torn between NGK's  CR8EH-9 (5666) which are the original nickel/nickle plugs and the CR8EIX0-9 (4218) which are the upgraded iridium/nickle plugs. For my two penneth I fit the NGK CR8EH-9's nickel/nickle plugs, there have been reports of the SC58 developing an erratic tick over and miss firing on iridium plugs, although it was never clear if the correct CR8EIX0-9 iridium/nickle plugs were fitted.

I ignore Honda's recommendation of 16,000 mile replacement and go with NGK's service life of 30,000 miles (and then some). Here are the spark plugs I replaced at the 16,000 and 48,000 mile service intervals, I don't know why #2 spark plug always shows some corrosion.

[Croyde]

Hi Art,
Thanks for your reply. Interesting your pics of the 2nd plug. I was trying to upload pics of my four that I recently changed. 2 & 3 plugs were very rusty. I assumed it was because they are so difficult to get to that they hadn't been replaced. Maybe I'm wrong seeing your plug number 2.
Failed many times to upload pics but I can't get the file size small enough.

[Art]

The #2 & #3 plugs are not really that difficult, its just a question of removing the coil packs, air box breather hose, pair control solenoid valve & pipes, radiator top hose and displacing the thermostat housing to make the space to comfortable get at the HT leads, plug caps and plugs. The comments you can read on here and elsewhere claiming its a difficult job are mostly written by inexperienced home mechanics looking for short cuts and wanting to skip removing or displacing the components that are in the way. As for the myth of the risk of damaging the #3 plug cap and lead it is what it is, and what it is is a myth perpetuated by folk who shouldn't be allowed spanners, they know who they are.

To upload your oversize images...
On a PC or lap top - open them in in Microsoft Picture Editor and resize them to suit from the Edit Pictures menu.
On a mobile or tablet - download the free version of the 'Photo & Picture Resizer' app and follow the screen prompts to resize.

[Rick]

Agree entirely with Art's above comments, its like everything with engineering, take your time or you'll cause more problems than you started with. To be able to photograph the set up before you dismantle is a great reference tool for returning cables/parts back in the right place. I would hate to buy a bike that 'a person who shouldn't be allowed spanners' has had a go at. Original plugs on my bike, 2009 Mk1, were Denso U24FER9, no problems up to 20,000 miles and were still in good condition, so new ones, same make, went back in without issue following Art's above mentioned procedure and using the right tools.

[Art]

+1 If your happy with the brand, performance and price of any component your replacing then there is no reason not to replace with the same brand, reassuringly expensive Honda re-branded parts being the exception to the rule.

[marky99925]

As i've found out many times to my cost, give yourself time, and then more time, and then double it, and have the right tools.
 most jobs we will ever have to do don't require a PHD in mechanical engineering, despite what some dealers will tell you. Most of us can do a lot of this stuff with a bit of planning and patience.
and the satisfaction (and saving) is enormous.
A recent example is my new ABBA Skylift stand thingy, (i don't have space for a bench type lift), i thought putting it together and getting the hang of the different positions would be an hour..it was four.