2016 GTR 215 Spark Plug Torque.

[Hawk388]

My 2016 GTR 215 was running fairly rough today. It never stalled on me, but there was slight surging between 4000 and 7500 RPM. Since I had already ordered and received a set of Brisk Racing plugs, I decided to replace them and inspect the factory plugs. The factory plugs appeared to be in fine condition but I only have 22 hours on the ski, so that's not surprising.

Per NGK's website for the DCPR8E plugs I pulled out of my engine, it calls for a 10.8-14.5 lb/ft torque and SeaDoo, from what I could find, recommends 17lb/ft of torque. However, breakaway torque was just 4lb/ft per plug while the most forward facing plug had a breakaway torque of 8lb/ft. There was ZERO anti-seize on any of the factory plugs.

I'm using a recently calibrated Snap-On 1/4" drive torque wrench.

I installed the set of Brisk Racing plugs, BR12ZC Premium 1163's. They measured out exactly the same length as the factory NGK's. I've had very good results with these plugs in the past with my boosted vehicles. I applied dielectric grease to the COP's thread side of the plug and anti-seize to the top 1/3 of the threads of the cylinder head threads. I installed the new plugs at 15 lb/ft of torque. A quick driveway startup yielded the Ski starting much quicker. I'll test the performance of these plugs tomorrow morning. I'm bringing along the old plugs and the tools needed to swap them out at the first sign of issues, but I really don't expect anything to go wrong.

Has anyone else ever torque checked their factory plugs and if so, did you find them under-torqued like I did?

 

[Hawk388]

Well, not going to be able to take her out today. Forgot I had an appointment in Pensacola and that's an all day ordeal to go to the VA. Hopefully, tomorrow.

 

[jhjesse]

Interested in how the new plugs do. Good luck.

 

[3ftDeep]

Plug tightening always seems to be an issue. Probably because the engine is heating up and cooling down so frequently. Sometimes my plugs are tight when I remove them, sometimes they're loose. Never seems consistent.

 

[AircraftDoc]

Looks right. Run Torque -- drag

I Run down the spark plug until it seats, then torque.
Could be source of others idle issues.

 

[Hawk388]

The new Brisk plugs are pretty impressive. With VTS trimmed all the way up, I can now stand the GTR215 on its ass, with me standing on the rear end, and actually get cavitation from the impeller if I don't let off. Low end torque is much better while high end performance is a pretty good indicator that better combustion is happening. I used to only get 59mph on rough water. Now, I'm up to 62. Straight line performance on clean water sees the gauge pegged at 66mph.

To be honest though, this could be from having plugs properly torqued. However, in the past, I had issues staying at 66mph on flat water with my 250lb ass on the ski. Now, it just stays pegged there.

If you order these plugs, just be aware there is no electrode bridge. The center electrode is grounded to the sides of the plug, so there is no "gap" to set. I will say this, though. This ski didn't run this hard on the first time I hit 5 hours. Now, getting on the throttle through hard turns around buoys makes it hard for me to hold on the acceleration is so instant. I've found myself having to let off a tad as I go through a sharp turn or she bites and accelerates so hard, I can't hold on. But I'm pretty weak on my left side. So anyone else who chooses this route, please chime in here and let me know what you think.

For $50, I'm pretty damned happy with the results.

 

[jhjesse]

Good to hear. Glad you like them. I think I am in agreement with you on the torque/plug combination.
Good luck.