miss-firing, rough-running 3rd gen

Brad Badgett · September 01, 2008, 08:12:01 PM

~ 08-25 the Magna started miss-firing while warming up, and while riding some. Have had to use ethanol some but try to use 100% gas. The previous week (8-16) went to Rowlett-Forney with no problems, alternating ethanol and 100% gas. Ran great. I have added Sea-Foam. I plan on replacing the plugs on Tues. They have at least 16K on them. Any other thoughts would be helpful. Thanks!

Brad Badgett
1996 VF750C
MOOT #164
OK Region

Charles S Otwell · September 01, 2008, 08:24:27 PM

You might pull the gas line at the carb, put it on reserve, run a little out into a clean bottle and check for water. Just a thought.

lragan · September 01, 2008, 09:01:19 PM

Long before it was considered "green", we used to run a little ethanol in equipment that sat over the winter to absorb any water in the gas.

I guess it worked -- we always did it -- but it may just have been an "Old Farmer's Almanac" kind of thing...

drkngas · September 01, 2008, 10:18:25 PM

16K on spark plugs! I wouldve started there. The longest I've gone is about 5K on a set of plugs.

roboto65 · September 02, 2008, 08:34:59 AM

Quote16K on spark plugs! I wouldve started there. The longest I've gone is about 5K on a set of plugs.

I have about 30,000 on mine I don,t change my oil till about 5000 or 6000 LOL I would think you should get at least 30 or 40 thousand out of set of plugs!!

TLRam1 · September 02, 2008, 09:13:38 AM

I had 50,000 on my plugs before changing, they still looked fine. I have them in the garage marked what cylinders they came from. New plugs didn't do anything from a seat of the pants evaluation.

Brad Badgett · September 02, 2008, 07:59:04 PM

Put new plugs in this eve. Doesn't miss-fire. I may have got some bad gas? The old plugs on the front two cylinders looked slightly rich. The back two were normal looking. Put some more Sea-Foam and filled the tank. Thanks for the help- if it starts missing-back firing again, I will check for water in the gas.

Brad Badgett

drkngas · September 03, 2008, 06:48:11 AM

I run too rich. I had a set of plugs start fouling at a little below 10k about 2 sets ago. I did adjust the needles (Cobra) after that and increased my gas mileage some so i could probably longer but my plugs still come out a little wet and I like the way it runs so I just change them. I wonder if going with a hotter plugs would help?

hootmon · September 03, 2008, 07:18:43 AM

David;
For less than a set of plugs... I suggest
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_13249_13249
There should be nothing wrong with your plugs except they need a good cleaning..
Just a thought...

drkngas · September 03, 2008, 07:29:07 AM

I should own one of those anyways. There is a total of 25 installed spark plugs at my house. I'll check it out.

roboto65 · September 03, 2008, 07:39:20 AM

David we need to look at your bike she should not be running rich like that and at 40 bucks a set of plugs

I would be glad to help you in anyway when I get some time off !

Greg Cothern · September 03, 2008, 05:11:29 PM

David I would take Allen up on his offer, a rich running Magna is only going to cost ya money and power.

What is your current setup? Last time ya changed air filter? When these filters start to get dirty they cause a rich situation, a fresh filter will keep the air flowing.

TLRam1 · September 03, 2008, 05:43:15 PM

When help is offered and by one of the Magna gurus I'd take it, that's at least a 300 savings on a service bill.

Magna 4 Me · September 14, 2008, 11:10:57 AM

I'd be interested to know the ethanol mix you are using. The 10% stuff that about all fuel stations shouldn't cause any problems like you are describing. If you are trying that 85% stuff, I'd be surprised the bike would run on it.

As far as David's rich running, it sounds like a wrench session is in order. It wouldn't be a bad idea to get one organized for after we all get things back to normal from Hurricane Ike.

I'd put one together here but my apartment complex won't allow it.
Tom

drkngas · September 14, 2008, 08:42:17 PM

Quote from: Greg Cothern on September 03, 2008, 05:11:29 PM
David I would take Allen up on his offer, a rich running Magna is only going to cost ya money and power.

What is your current setup? Last time ya changed air filter? When these filters start to get dirty they cause a rich situation, a fresh filter will keep the air flowing.

Attempt # 2 to reply.

Somehow I missed the replies and offer to go through my carbs by the Carb Guru Allen. Yes, I'd love to see if we can save a few $$$ on plugs.

Current setup consist of Cobra Stage 1 kit with K&N filter ( was clean about 2 mos. ago) and Cobra pipes. I love the way the bike runs compared to stock. Before MOOT, I paid a small shop to install the Cobra kit. They did a BAD job so I went back in and moved the needles myself up 1 slot. It ran so good after that so it has remained there since.