Dumb question...spark plug socket size?

memper · October 15, 2012, 05:47:37 AM

For my 99 750, is it 13mm? 14mm?

memper · October 15, 2012, 08:11:37 AM

Der...suppose I just take the plug to the auto store...

seevtsaab · October 15, 2012, 09:53:08 AM

Yeah good idea cause even model to model might vary some, depending on plug make?
I might be making that up, but at any rate, I use an 18mm ?? socket for my plugs iirc on the Duc (05 620)
which seems a little non standard

ducpainter · October 15, 2012, 10:10:57 AM

Quote from: memper on October 15, 2012, 08:11:37 AM
Der...suppose I just take the plug to the auto store...

The ones currently installed could be different.

memper · October 15, 2012, 02:02:48 PM

Good point stew.....

ducpainter · October 15, 2012, 02:05:30 PM

Quote from: memper on October 15, 2012, 02:02:48 PM
Good point stew.....

If you're talking to me...

it isn't Stew.

Ddan · October 15, 2012, 02:42:17 PM

Howie · October 15, 2012, 09:41:03 PM

Chances are your question is going unanswered because we don't know what plugs are in your bike. Champs? NGKs? What part #? NGK sometimes has different hex sizes for the same heat range. Grab some deep sockets and see which one fits.

memper · October 16, 2012, 10:01:22 AM

Yeah, it was dumb. Sorted it out by buying a long set.

After removing the old plugs, the horizontal head plug looked rich around the top ring but the inner ceramic looked grey/brown on most of it and white around the top most edge. Im ok with that reading for now.
The vertical head was a different story. Took it out and oil, and I mean dripping oil was around the base of the threads (closest to the terminal). Electrode ceramic looked about the same as the horizontal one and the top ring was a bit wetter but just as black. No smoke in the exhaust, thankfully.
Do I have a valve seal leak?

motoxmann · October 16, 2012, 10:23:22 AM

did you drive the bike for a bit before removing the plugs? I've found that if you remove the plugs at a time when the most recent time the engine was running was when it was cold and the choke was on, the plugs will appear to be oil fouled, but in reality they're just blackish and wet from running so rich during cold choke running conditions.

if the bike was driven for a bit before removing the plugs and it looks like that, then yes you possibly have a valve seal leak.
and fyi, the valve seals are incredibly easy to change in the hands of someone comfortable doing it, and you dont even need to remove the head nor do you need to remove the closing rocker which requires a special tool. I'd explain how to do it, but would need to know you're 100% comfortable doing it yourself, otherwise you'd want to find someone who is

memper · October 16, 2012, 12:11:09 PM

They were like that after sitting over night. $:-\$
But I just changed the plugs to new NGK's. Went for a short ride (a few errands around town) and even tried to open the throttle a bit when I could. Came back and took the plugs out and they look like I just put them in. very minute, almost no traces of oil , no carbon, ceramic looked untouched(!).
I have an open lid air box w K&N, no slip ons-just the open header, and a stage 2 jet kit. Bike smells of gas when I take off the cover.
So I'm running lean and I may or may not need valve seals.
Where can I get new seals? CAC?

motoxmann · October 16, 2012, 09:29:39 PM

I wouldnt say you're running lean just yet, give it some time. plugs dont always change color immediately, sometimes it takes a full heavy heat cycle or more. I actually run a bit rich in low and mid range, and I've put new plugs in and gone for a ride staying below 5500 and below 3/4 throttle then checked plugs and they looked darn near brand spankin new with barely even a noticeable heat mark on the ground strap.

I always order genuine ducati parts from these guys:
http://www.ducatiomaha.com/products.asp

memper · October 17, 2012, 04:20:01 AM

Ok. I will give it some time and check again before getting all rejet crazy. Thanks guys, and DP, sorry for calling you Stew.

ducpainter · October 17, 2012, 04:24:09 AM

No qworries.

He's a very cool dude.

motoxmann · October 17, 2012, 07:27:05 AM

a good way to tell if it's lean or rich is to drive the bike at the hottest point of the day, and again at the coldest part of the night, or at least a noticeably colder part of the day. try all sorts of various throttle positions and rpms. but try to use the same gear at all times for comparisons, I use 3rd. if it runs stronger in hotter weather and weaker/rougher in colder weather, then it is lean. if it runs stronger in colder weather and weaker and/or rougher in hotter weather, then it is rich.

keep in mind though, properly set up engines will always run a hair stronger in colder weather due to the air being denser, so you'd be looking for a fairly decently noticeable difference

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Dumb question...spark plug socket size?