On the untimely demise of NGK spark plugs

> > Fake plugs have been around for years, along with an icredible range
> > of other fake motor parts. Compressed cardboard brake pads? Yep.
>
> So I've read. Seems a lot of trouble to go to, making dodgy splugs. You'd
> think if a company had the manufacturing capabilities to make a decent copy
> of a genuine NGK they might as well make 'em properly.
>
> --
> Si - XV535

snip


If it's an xv535 then the plug leads only push onto the plug cap - a
bad connection here can be causing a weak spark. Snip a bit off of the
end of the lead and re-make the connection.

Also, because the coils are at the front of the engine they get
exposed to the weather so take them off and clean up the connections
and put on new spade connectors. Also swap over the coils and see if
the issue "follows" each cylinder, if so then the issue is not with an
individual coil itself.

Hopefully you should now get a strong blue spark from both the coils
capable of jumping about a 8mm+ or so, if not I would look at where
the HT lead comes out of the coils, it could be jumping from the coil
body past the sealing ring (which goes round the HT lead) to the
frame, if this is the case a decent coating of silicone sealant will
stop this happening.

If you still get a weak spark, check to see if you get a good spark
from the end of the plug lead itself, if this is good, then the issue
is with the plug cap - they are only a couple of quid each.

If the issue still persists then it's either the coil or the HT lead
at fault, snip back the HT lead and see if you get a good strong
spark, if still not and you have swapped over the coils then it is the
coil itself, if it turns out to be the HT lead you can buy a length of
HT lead and one of those screw-together heavy duty HT lead conectors.

HTH

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember "Mungo "Two Sheds" Toadfoot"
<eastREMOVEkent RemoveThis @gmail.com> saying something like:

>> Fake plugs have been around for years,
>
>So I've read. Seems a lot of trouble to go to, making dodgy splugs. You'd
>think if a company had the manufacturing capabilities to make a decent copy
>of a genuine NGK they might as well make 'em properly.

Oh, I dunno. Take for example, a body who's purchased some used
plug-making machinery. It would be easy to set up making fakes to older
standards or with dubious/non-existent quality and letting them out via
various routes onto the market masquerading as a well-known make. No
marketing, no advertising expenses - simply piggy-backing on a known and
established name. Mucho profit that way.
--
Dave
GS850x2 XS650 SE6a

"A scone and tea at half past three
Makes the day a little brighter
Keep your cakes and fancy tarts
And stick them up your shiter."