Fouling spark plugs

[WinnerCougar74]

Thick rag with solvent (acetone). Screw/twist the surface till the brown stops showing.
I never killed a set of plugs. Have heard reccomendation, change every 3 years or 300 hours, which ever comes first.

Great thanks. I have acetone and will try it out.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Surface gap plugs: Just wipe em off.
I've had plugs last YEARS!!! 7-8 maybe longer?
Then I only changed them out of guilt.

 

[The Force power]

Surface gap plugs: Just wipe em off.
I've had plugs last YEARS!!! 7-8 maybe longer?
Then I only changed them out of guilt.

Mine are going on 3+ years now

 

[Sea Rider]

My engine fouls plugs no matter what I do. Running recreational fuel at 50-1. Idle screws at 1 turn out on both carbs. I run at low speeds a lot while trying to mark fish.

If this scenario is what bothers you, it's the nature of that beast...​

A 2 strokes motor will foul spark plugs from brand new out of the box if the motor runs at idle rpm for long time trolling periods, will depend entirely on the motor's brand, the fuel/air idle adjustment, 2 stroke oil type, mineral, semi synthetic, full synthetic, if the motor runs a 50:1 pre mixed or it's a VOR motor which uses very little oil when the motor runs at idle compared to a constant pre mixed 50:1 ratio burned at same trolling idle rpm,

So if the motor hesitates a bit when opening the throttle after trolling for long time periods, when that small hesitation ends run that motor wot as if stealing the combo when returning to terra firme for the spark plugs to be self cleaned. Use the spark plugs and heat range the manufacturer recommends...​

Happy Boating

 

[WinnerCougar74]

If this scenario is what bothers you, it's the nature of that beast...​

View attachment 351776

A 2 strokes motor will foul spark plugs from brand new out of the box if the motor runs at idle rpm for long time trolling periods, will depend entirely on the motor's brand, the fuel/air idle adjustment, 2 stroke oil type, mineral, semi synthetic, full synthetic, if the motor runs a 50:1 pre mixed or it's a VOR motor which uses very little oil when the motor runs at idle compared to a constant pre mixed 50:1 ratio burned at same trolling idle rpm,

So if the motor hesitates a bit when opening the throttle after trolling for long time periods, when that small hesitation ends run that motor wot as if stealing the combo when returning to terra firme for the spark plugs to be self cleaned. Use the spark plugs and heat range the manufacturer recommends...​

Happy Boating

Thanks. Sounds like good advise. Many other experts say the same thing about pre-mixed older 2 stroke outboards. Running it at WOT from time to time is easier than constantly fiddling with this motor. I'm gonna leave the idle screws at 1 turn out for the next few trips. Clean the recirculation system. Only fill up the gas right before each trip so the mix is a fresh as it can be and at least for the next few trip I'll pull the plugs first just to get a look at them before I hit the water. Not to much to do for a 47 year old motor.

 

[WinnerCougar74]

If this scenario is what bothers you, it's the nature of that beast...​

View attachment 351776

A 2 strokes motor will foul spark plugs from brand new out of the box if the motor runs at idle rpm for long time trolling periods, will depend entirely on the motor's brand, the fuel/air idle adjustment, 2 stroke oil type, mineral, semi synthetic, full synthetic, if the motor runs a 50:1 pre mixed or it's a VOR motor which uses very little oil when the motor runs at idle compared to a constant pre mixed 50:1 ratio burned at same trolling idle rpm,

So if the motor hesitates a bit when opening the throttle after trolling for long time periods, when that small hesitation ends run that motor wot as if stealing the combo when returning to terra firme for the spark plugs to be self cleaned. Use the spark plugs and heat range the manufacturer recommends...​

Happy Boating

Also, I tried running those style plugs and almost ruined my motor. I have to stick with gapless on my motor. Many stories of these plugs putting holes in the pistons. That almost happened to me.

 

[Redbarron%%]

I think in the picture the plugs are on the wrong side of the head, Maybe. I can't be sure...

 

[The Force power]

I think in the picture the plugs are on the wrong side of the head, Maybe. I can't be sure...

must be a pain to check for spark also

 

[Sea Rider]

I think in the picture the plugs are on the wrong side of the head, Maybe. I can't be sure...

LOL, pic is for refference only to show the fouled tips, impossible to install that way...

Happy Boating​

 

[WinnerCougar74]

Winner I would suggest you to look at the recircular/puddle drain system. There are small screens that cloggs from carbone. They are under the "dog bone" cover at the same side as the fuel pump.
Clean them and check that the check valves closing as they should. The check valves are small pedals similar style as the reed valves but much smaller.
If the recircular/puddle drain system not working as it should you got problem with idling.
Start from there but I think you have to live with fouling plugs if you troll/idle for long periods. Smaller 2 stroker will idle for longer times compere to the lager, but this is only my own experience

Nordin, this suggestion fixed it so far. The recirc screens had carbon on them (see attached pic). I cleaned it all up, put new gaskets on and immediately the idle was higher and so far after idling that would have fouled it before there is no sign of it. It seems to have better throttle responce and hole shot. Possibly even better gas mileage. Thanks. It's very logical that if the fuel is "puddling" and getting sucked into the compression chamber it would foul the plugs quickly. Now I need to take the time to redo the idle mixture screws. I also replaced the lines with weed wacker blue lines so I can see the fuel moving. I will be checking it regularly and annually taking it apart and cleaning it. Man what a relief. Thanks again. You know your stuff!