Oiled up Sparkies....

[cabron]

Yes been a little lasy and haven't searched around, however thought someone may have some quick advice on oiled up spark plugs.
Had trouble starting and keep running the M900 98' during winter, found that the spark plugs keep oiling up when running on choke, or idling during warm up(stationary idling). Basically I have to take off without warming up, to keep it going, otherwise it eventually stops and I have to take out the plugs, clean with wire brush, and start again. Runs like shite for the first 10kms, then settles down...Any simple advice, didn't seem to do this during summer months, however didn't warm up for as long......

Any advice...is it normal, does it need the jets, air mixture adjusted? wrong plugs? should I run a hot plug...currently running NGK D8EA from CA cycles....or are the rings shot, and the sump is on top of the cylinder head....oh well the desmo valve cams will be well lubricated.......

[dragonworld.]

If you run anything other than the lowest swill on the pump it will foul up the plugs.

In winter I put a cover over my oil cooler so it runs warmer quicker, and dont idle/warm it up for more than a minute and I run the fine electrode NGK plugs. Reduces the incidence of fouling. (Havent got the plug number handy. )

[Mr.S2R]

this may help

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=39507.msg703124;topicseen#msg703124

or this

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=7897.0

 

[888906]

I think there is some confusion about oil burning/ excessively rich fuel air mixture - is the exhaust smoke black or blue/white?.  What you describe sounds like fuel mixture that's too rich - probably a worn needle/needle jet at a guess, the most common Mikuni carb problem.  Also what fuel grade are you using? As has been mentioned earlier, use the choke for the minimum time possible.  Iridium tip plugs are less prone to fouling - I'd stay with the "8" heat range.

[koko64]

NGK Iridium DPR8EIX-9. I nearly passed out at the price but they last longer. Your bike will run richer and may foul plugs with Shell V-Power 98 than other 98 fuels. If you have stock pistons in an unmodified motor, you should be able to run 95.

So true about the stock needle jets wearing quickly causing fouled plugs and rough running. They can wear oval within 8000km. Factory Pro make a stainless needle jet that was way cheaper than stock ones and will wear well. I got mine from Mick Hone's Motorcycles, I think he's a Factory Pro distributor (03)890 0304). When replacing the needle jets make sure the float levels are at 14mm as they are often out from the factory. "Ducati Suite" and "factory Pro" sites have good
guides to setting the float levels, tec.

I hope it's just too rich with sooty plugs and not wet oily plugs.

[wrxmy99]

OK so mine's a 900ie, therefore maybe different aspects at play but when I first got it I ran it on 98/PULP and it used to foul the plugs like a 2 stroke....literally to the point of running on 1 cylinder and/or missing and backfiring like an old holden!

On the advice of DMF and my local Duc dealer I switched to 91 ULP (NO ETHANOL) an some new (non iridium) plugs and she hasn't fouled up since.

[koko64]

Yeah, I reckon with the stock 9:1 compression and more progressive ignition advance curve on the 900 ie model you would be safe.
I have had plenty of bikes foul plugs on 98 fuel, but more so with the V-Power 98. I called Shell and the tech adviser said that their fuel was quite dense and had the effect of your engine running richer. He said that vehicles with self regulating closed loop injection systems would adapt to the fuel. It clagged up the plugs of my carby bikes over the years, especially race bikes that have sat around.

[beethoven]

I bought M900 5 yrs ago with 25000km. BP Ultimate did that and as soon as I went to bog standard 91 no problems. Mechanic told me it was a waste of money and no good for bike.
18 months ago at 45000 km fuel economy started deteriorating and plugs sooting up. Changed needle jets (from CA Cycleworks, 4 day delivery) and fuel consumption improved 15%. No probs since. I use standard plugs and never had a problem between services.
So my call is

1. change fuel immediately to 91 for a couple of tanks.

2. If problem persists and not oil related look to changing needle jets.

[dragonworld.]

As a usual rule I rip through a pair of needle jets in 6,000k to 7,000k.

The Jet Pro titanium needles are best used with their "special" jets as the brass ones just dont cut it, particularly when commuting with lots of on/off throttle!

I have a feeling the wear rate has increased cos of some slide wear also, The "Old Girl" having racked up around the 90,000k mark. [moto]

[wrxmy99]

Problem is the NSW Govt in its infinite wisdom and desire to protect us from ourselves is banning straight 91 unleaded from July 2011 and only selling E10 (Ethanol), 95 or 98.

http://smh.drive.com.au/petrol-costs-to-rise-as-unleaded-fuel-axed-20100618-ymu9.html

Better buy some spare plugs....   

[koko64]

As a usual rule I rip through a pair of needle jets in 6,000k to 7,000k.

The Jet Pro titanium needles are best used with their "special" jets as the brass ones just dont cut it, particularly when commuting with lots of on/off throttle!

I have a feeling the wear rate has increased cos of some slide wear also, The "Old Girl" having racked up around the 90,000k mark. [moto]

90,00kms!