took a look at spark plugs and they all looked almost too clean???
I have a 2002 Yamaha HPDI Vmax 200. I took out the spark plugs the other day to clean them up, and there was no oil fouling or carbon buildup on the electrodes at all. Usually, I have some oil buildup and carbon that I can clean up, but not this time. I assume this is good, but I'm not sure since they have never looked like this before. They look almost too clean, and the electrodes almost seemed dry, barely wet, and looked almost shiny. The white porceline in the middle was not brown at all, it was actually more of an off white. These plugs are not brand new. I put these in probably back in October/November, but I have been using my boat all winter long fishing rivers that don't freeze up here. So, these plugs have a good amount of use under them. When the plugs were changed, it was after I had the low pressure fuel pumps replaced, mechanics did the sync and link update, and the oil pump setting was checked. So all that is up to par as far as I know. The motor seems to be running ok, just as idle feels like the plugs might have been fouled which is why I checked them out. Does the way I described how the plugs look sound right? All 6 of them looked like this too.
Re: took a look at spark plugs and they all looke ... (BassManGuy)
Most of the fouled plugs I had "looked" perfect...
Re: took a look at spark plugs and they all looke ... (BassManGuy)
What additives are you putting in your fuel, and have you changed what additives you use? Using a decarboning agent will keep the plugs cleaner. Water intrusion into the combustion chamber will cause very clean plugs but the chance of all 6 getting water is so low that I wouldn't consider it viable.
Re: took a look at spark plugs and they all looke ... (BassManGuy)
My only concern is "are you getting adequate lubrication" ... Just a thought... what oil consumption are you getting per tank (or gallons)... I would think you should get 1 gal of oil per 50 gallons of fuel (50-1) or more...
Re: took a look at spark plugs and they all looke ... (falcooon)
I would think the tan color is normal but white is possibly running too hot? at least it is in vehicles... i wonder if you're getting enough oil. No expert by any means but perhaps the oil pump needs adjusting. I'd get it re-checked to be 100% sure.
Re: took a look at spark plugs and they all looke ... (SkeeterJohn)
If you're not getting enough oil you would have know it by now,but like others have said, go get it checked out.
Re: took a look at spark plugs and they all looke ... (JOHN202)
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by JOHN202 »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">If you're not getting enough oil you would have know it by now,but like others have said, go get it checked out.</td></tr></table>
That's what I will do. Could it be from running the engine in cold weather conditions this past winter? The air temperature most of the time was not above 40 degrees, but the water temperature was anywhere from 45-60 degrees. I would always let it warm up in gear for about 5 minutes before I got on pad, and made sure I gave it a few minutes to cool down too in gear before I shut it off after a run. Or could this be a sign of something related in any way to thermostats or engine temperature not getting warm enough or getting too warm? I looked at the oil pump adjustment lever on the side of the motor and there is a slight gap between the lever and the stopper pin. Enough of a gap for daylight to be seen without the lever actually resting on the stopper pin. The motor was in neutral. I took a look this evening since the boat is in the garage.