How often do you change the spark plugs?

[ytown34]

(1996 sportster, 717) What kind of plugs are they and what is the gap? should I spray them with anyting?
Another question: The oil tank is 1/4 full...is it worth refilling now or should I just wait until next season? I used just over 1/4 the last month and won"t be taking it out as much now.

 

[kustomkarl]

The spark plugs recommended are NGK BR8ES, gaped to .021"-.024" You could top of the oil injector tank to prevent condensation forming over the winter.

Karl

 

[scooper77515]

I change mine about every 3rd or 4th trip. Just so they don't foul up on me and ruin a day.

Sometimes, They will foul up on the water, so I always keep an extra couple sets and a wrench to swap them out.

This is both my boat and my ski.

 

[shockerfd]

I change mine about every 3rd or 4th trip. Just so they don't foul up on me and ruin a day.

Sometimes, They will foul up on the water, so I always keep an extra couple sets and a wrench to swap them out.

This is both my boat and my ski.

:agree: With a 2 stroke especially, never leave the dock without having a spare set or two in the boat with you. I also keep a set of 1 stage hotter on the boat. Like Scoop, I'm anal about it and usually change them out after a few trips. Plugs are cheap so buy a few!

 

[scooper77515]

Yes, i pay a buck or so for each, so I always carry 2 extra sets.

I have had plenty of trips where it all of a sudden starts to run like crap, and I just swap plugs and on my way. Just wastes 15 minutes of my day, not ending my fun til the next weekend.

Yes, mine is 2 stroke. 4 stroke could probably run MUCH longer on a set of plugs.

 

[ssmedt]

yeah i agree with others; never leave dock without a wrench and extra plugs; i change mine when needed but on average i would say it is about every 10 running hours (but right now the current set i am running i have had in since before the 4th and they are still going strong, knock on wood:hurray

 

[ytown34]

NGK BR8ES, gaped to .021"-.024

Where can I get these plugs?

 

[scooper77515]

ANYWHERE! But Walmart. And they are cheap.

I get mine by the box from O'Reilly. Since I use them in my XP and Challenger, a box will last me all year. About $20 for a box of 12.

 

[ssmedt]

:agree: I agree i also get the box of 10 from O'Riley I use them often in my challenger and also in my GTX

 

[kustomkarl]

Auto Zone here in Florida is reasonable to get spark plugs, and no waiting for shipping, just walk in and get them.

Karl

 

[scooper77515]

There was a time early in the spring when I couldn't find one to save my life. At any of the stores within a 20 mile radius.

I suspiciously assumed that all the seadooers and jetskiers all went out and bought theirs the first warm weekend and bought them all up.

I never found if my suspicions were true or not, but ever since then I buy by the box instead of a pair at a time.

 

[ytown34]

Found them at a Napa 3 miles away...Thanks...Is there any need to spray the plug or the hole when replacing them?

 

[GregZ]

Regarding filling your oil tank:

(1996 sportster, 717) What kind of plugs are they and what is the gap? should I spray them with anyting?
Another question: The oil tank is 1/4 full...is it worth refilling now or should I just wait until next season? I used just over 1/4 the last month and won"t be taking it out as much now.

If you have not modified your oil tank venting, do not fill the oil tank above the level of the return line/level sensor for storage during the off months. The tank has a one way valve that lets air in, but no way to let air out. Temperature changes during storage will cause the pressure in the tank to rise and fall. When the pressure rises it will force oil to ooze out the fittings. In spring you will have an oil puddle in your bilge.

The best modification is to drill a very small vent hole in the oil tank cap. A sixteenth inch or less should be fine.

 

[ytown34]

Thanks for the info.....What's the diff between gapping the plugs .021 and .024.....know it's a thousands of an inch....is it better to be toward .020 or .025?