4tec supercharged - again, always check your sparks first!!!

[brobertov8]

Hello All,

I know this topic was discussed many times before, but I only would like to advise all folks with failures during acceleration, specially on models with supercharger:

Before than anything change your spark plugs first!!!

I have some car engine background and I would never bet my ski had bad sparks.... the behavior is just anything but different than I would expect.... plus when I removed the sparks visually speaking they were almost new... not bad in the look!!!

Check pictures below....

After a new set the ski is running like a brand new one..... (Also replaced the set on the onboard kit)

Regards,
Bruno

 

[snikwad003]

Those puppies are smoked. They look good on the inside but that brown ring at the top of the metal part is where your loosing compression, very important on forced induction motors.

 

[Coastiejoe]

It is coming up more and more common in the 4-tecs that the plugs were the answer,,,

 

[brobertov8]

Those puppies are smoked. They look good on the inside but that brown ring at the top of the metal part is where your loosing compression, very important on forced induction motors. View attachment 36632

Really didn´t pay attention to that brown ring... so did I have some compression passing trought that? I mean, if these sparks could be tested with a compressor, some air would be blowing there in the brown ring? Wow!

Thanks for the tip....

In time, I saw you like 2strokes.... I just loved the 727 I had in the past....

 

[brobertov8]

It is coming up more and more common in the 4-tecs that the plugs were the answer,,,

No doubt, Coastiejoe...

I went to boat ramp last week and a guy who store boats and skis told he also couldn´t believe how common are these issues with spark plugs on 4tecs.... He has more than 20 skis stored there and he showed me a small box with many sparks he has changed this year....

not on this thread but some day I would ask you some tips about salt walter.... (You ride on salt, right?) I live far from the ocean (+400 miles) and I only ride on fresh water lakes... but who knows some day I would not take the sky to a road trip and a good ride on the sea...
Thanks

 

[Coastiejoe]

Yes, salt water now, did fresh water for 40 plus years,,,No problem,, make a post and ask away,,,

 

[snikwad003]

Yeah forced induction engines are hard on spark plugs, and more sensitive to weak ignition. And youre right I do love 2 strokes.