Plugs are different color?

Energy One

Zenman

Member
Pulled my plugs the other day after few hundred miles from rejetting and noted the front cylinder plug was partially sooted (rich) while the rear cylinder plug was white/grey (lean) - no, didn't drink any beer. Any thoughts/advice on what I'm dealing with? Thanks in advance!
 

MARV

Well-Known Member
what kind of filter do you run? a forward facing 90 degree?

or check for an intake leak where the manifold hits the head of the lean plug.
 

Zenman

Member
Thanks guys! Other than checking snugness is there a way to confirm "vac" leaks? I'm familiar with soap testing positive pressure leaks but scratching my noodle on this problem.
 

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
Spriay around the intake seals with the motor running with BrakeClean and if the RPM's increase then you ahve a leak.

:cheers:
 

danosrs

Member
Keep in mind with a V twin the front cylinder will run a little cooler then the rear, I've had 4 different HD/BDM over the last 25 years and all showed the front plug running a little richer. If it runs Ok I always left it alone also I always prefered my motors to run a little rich then lean. Post some photos of the plugs and jet the carb to get the rear plug the way you want it and if the front is a little rich, I would not worry about it if you not having any problems.
 

Thumper169

Well-Known Member
Keep in mind with a V twin the front cylinder will run a little cooler then the rear, I've had 4 different HD/BDM over the last 25 years and all showed the front plug running a little richer. If it runs Ok I always left it alone also I always prefered my motors to run a little rich then lean. Post some photos of the plugs and jet the carb to get the rear plug the way you want it and if the front is a little rich, I would not worry about it if you not having any problems.
This is very true,:up:
 

Staffy

Active Member
Acceptable - IF the bike runs well and feels good.

The rear cylinder running lean is "normal" - a few of us can attest to that (including me). I have always kept an eye out for that and used to go crazy trying to figure it out – until I found the same symptoms on “all” my Vtwin bikes. In fact was reading an interesting post (see link below) and looking at the pic’s of the cylinder heads – You see what I see? There you have it – so don’t go crazy if the bike if running fine.

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/dog-pound/10583-winter-projects.html

(PS. I did actually have an intake leak on one of my bikes a few years ago – if I remember correctly the rear cylinder ran EXTREMLY hot (RED GLOWING HOT) at the same time – not sure it was related but that may be an intake leak giveaway sign. NOT TO GET CONFUSED here – the rear cylinder ALWAYS runs a tad bit hotter than the front – but should NOT BE GLOWING RED HOT – like someone put a torch to it)

Hope this helps – if it rides well don’t lose sleep over it.

(Not to go on an on – but if you ever change your pipes you will notice similar symptoms – in that the front port always has more carbon build up than the rear port)
 

turk1

Member
Zen don't go looking for trouble or you will find it and the next thing you know you'll be on a bagger. Listen to your engine, it will let you know when it needs something.
 

lee

Well-Known Member
I could be talking bollocks here (probably am) but although a lean cylinder will be hot, a hot cylinder (less air cooling) doesn't make it run lean. If you have the same amount of air and fuel getting into each cylinder (hence Marv's post about a leak) then that is your A/F mixture regardless of air cooling. I can imagine the difference in air cooling between the two cylinders would have to be pretty immense to affect the colour of the plugs.

As I said - I could be talking absolute shite!
 

waykool

Banned
True. But if yow have a forward facing 90 degree filter installed the bulk of the air into the cylinders tends to go more to the rear cylinder. :D
 

Zenman

Member
all good thoughts guys - have to admit the bike does run well - was rejetted at the shop after I bored some holes in the stock pipe baffles so I can't say if the color difference has been there from the start. The air cleaner is also stock but it does have the vented/louvered front plate which could result in directional air flow. Cheers
Zen
 
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