#1 and #5 plugs fouled - others clean

[ZmOz]

I've only been able to run my new '72 1400 powerhead on the muffs for a few minutes as of yet. I'm running 25:1 oil mix for breakin, so I expected the plugs to be pretty dirty. I replaced them today, and #1 and #5 were pretty fouled, but the others were quite clean.<br /><br />Does this mean anything?

 

[LubeDude]

Re: #1 and #5 plugs fouled - others clean

Did they look like they were firing at all?<br /><br />I would check to see if you have a good strong spark on those cylinders, and then take it to the lake and see how it runs. Then when you get done, check them again and see if they are fouled again.<br /><br /> Hey, dont forget the oil when you go to the lake.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: #1 and #5 plugs fouled - others clean

Yes...I think they were firing. I've been using the #1 plug wire to do the timing, which I had to do a couple times, and it worked fine the whole time. "Fouled" might be a bit excessive...they're just much dirtier than the rest - completely covered in black, while the others still have alot of clean white showing.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: #1 and #5 plugs fouled - others clean

Glad to hear your almost on the water again.

 

[timmathis]

Re: #1 and #5 plugs fouled - others clean

berak it in a little more. Make sure it dont get to hot. like lube said break it in a little more and then see what you got. Tim

 

[ZmOz]

Re: #1 and #5 plugs fouled - others clean

Ok, after about 2 minutes running with the new plugs, here they are:<br />#1<br />

<br /><br />#2<br />

<br /><br />When I remove the #1 plug shortly after running alot of smoke pours out. Cause for concern, or am I just being too paranoid?

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: #1 and #5 plugs fouled - others clean

Looks like the #1 plug is not sealing 100%. Look at the washer. There is also arc marks on the body, it's not grounding properly.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: #1 and #5 plugs fouled - others clean

Originally posted by Dunaruna:<br /> Looks like the #1 plug is not sealing 100%. Look at the washer. There is also arc marks on the body, it's not grounding properly.

No, it's sealing fine, it just looks that way in the pic. I don't see any arc marks either.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: #1 and #5 plugs fouled - others clean

So, nobody thinks I should be very worried about this? Is it possibly a sign that the #1 cylinder may be overheating? I had some water flow problems in the beginning, still not completely sure they are solved....

 

[LubeDude]

Re: #1 and #5 plugs fouled - others clean

Originally posted by ZmOz:<br /> So, nobody thinks I should be very worried about this

Evidently not, Its more important how they look after a few hours with a good load on the engine than how they look in a tank. two miutes probably isnt really enough for the engine to actually reach any type of operating temp. Seems all plugs never look the same on most any engine I pull the plugs on, car or boat, new or old.

 

[timmathis]

Re: #1 and #5 plugs fouled - others clean

Zm, Probably Ok.Like Lube said 2 min would be hard to tell anything. I would run it at least 15-30 min and then check again. You also may want to pull your distributor cap and see if any arc marks in it. Let's Hope and pray it will be o.k. Probably Just a little extra pre assembly lube left in #1 & #5 Is what you see.

 

[fishkisser99]

Re: #1 and #5 plugs fouled - others clean

oh, if only my plugs looked so clean...

 

[timmathis]

Re: #1 and #5 plugs fouled - others clean

ZmOz,On your cooling issue.A little tip here on inlines. You can take a longer hose(Your pee line)and route it up and over #1 and back down and out your pee hole.(that way you can be sure it is geting water to all 6.) The way they are set up all you can tell is that the bottom 3 are cooling. Tim

 

[snappernz]

Re: #1 and #5 plugs fouled - others clean

you can also do a spark plug test<br />when out on the water but 2 minutes at idle will tell you nothing at all

 

[Mixtli]

Re: #1 and #5 plugs fouled - others clean

I have the same Merc 1400, mine was sitting for about a year and a half or that is what they told me. I got plugs and got it started it smokes like a chimeny though. Tim on your tip about routing a hose can you explain it to me in more detail is the pee hole the tell tale? Me newbie sorry.

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: #1 and #5 plugs fouled - others clean

Originally posted by Mixtli:<br />is the pee hole the tell tale? Me newbie sorry.

Yes.

 

[timmathis]

Re: #1 and #5 plugs fouled - others clean

Mixtli, Do you understand now?, Tim