Okay it is time for me to fess up...

[RykerUSA]

A couple of weeks ago I posted about a breakdown I had near Dayton Ohio. Pulling away from a light, I heard a loud tapping from the engine bay that would speed up with my RPMs. I immediately shut it down and had it towed to the nearest spider dealership- Middletown Cycle. I was convinced that it was a broken valve spring as something must have gotten down in the cylinder. It's a Spyder St Limited 2015 with 20000 miles on it.

Now for the rest of the story...

Middletown Cycle originally said it would be 2 weeks before they could even get to my bike. They were wrong. They got to it in 2 days and I was thrilled.

I heard back from them a week ago that my front cylinder spark plug electrode had burnt and broken away and falling into the cylinder. This little piece of metal created a heck of a racket and also damage the Piston head right on the outside edge.

Now you might be asking yourself, " How the h#$l did that happen?"

The short answer is - my stupidity!

Last March I changed out my spark plugs and as you 998 owners know, the front cylinder plug is quite difficult to get to.

I could not get my torque wrench in there so I use the old tried-and-true method of finger tight plus one quarter turn. Either it was not fingertight or it needed more than 1/4 turn because the spark plug worked its way out over time - there by overheating.

So in an attempt to save a few maintenance dollars, I will probably be paying $1,500 for the repair.

But it's all my fault. It sucks being me.

I am sharing the story because I want the truth to set me free and also serve as a little reminder to you folks who do your own maintenance.

[cuznjohn]

we all have made mistakes, some more expensive then others. HEY i was a electrician and was working on some prepping for overtime work once. i was in the old PAN AM BUILDING on the top floor by the big switch board room. i had to install a new switch on overtime so i went and opened the box where it went. low and behold, i did not know opening it would shut down all the REALLY BIG SWITCHES for the building. IT DID. that shut down all the high rise elevators, that started the change over for the emergency generator to kick on. so lots of people were trapped in the elevators, most of the lawyers, the guy that ran the building had to run up close to 30 stories to start kicking all the main power back on. i was lucky that nothing happened to me, and that the building was able to calm everyone done. but that could of cost me thousands. so as they say S$$T HAPPENS

[PrairieSpyder]

Thanks for the update. An expensive lesson learned. But at least it was corrected quickly and now you can keep riding.

[Bob Denman]

My Grampa Denman always said that the person who never made a mistake, is a person who never did anything.
At least you know what caused it, and Thanks for passing along a VERY useful tip to the rest of us!

[BajaRon]

We've all had our moments. Not even counting the ones we got away with. But I must say in all my years I have never torqued a spark plug and it's never been a problem. Not saying you shouldn't. Just saying I don't.

[SPYD1]

By sharing you have helped others! Nice.

[Gator37]

The short answer is - my stupidity!

Last March I changed out my spark plugs and as you 998 owners know, the front cylinder plug is quite difficult to get to.

I could not get my torque wrench in there so I use the old tried-and-true method of finger tight plus one quarter turn. Either it was not fingertight or it needed more than 1/4 turn because the spark plug worked its way out over time - there by overheating.

So in an attempt to save a few maintenance dollars, I will probably be paying $1,500 for the repair.

But it's all my fault. It sucks being me.

Don't beat yourself up, Stuff Happens.

[Chupaca]

Hard to admit and even harder to publish. It is a help to others and we thank you for your taking this tough step. Between the loose plug and the broken tip I would imagine quite a racket.. sorry it was not an easy cheap fix but you will be back on the road again. After reading all the stories about the front plug I went with the JT Machine shop air filter system removing the air box and eliminating the problem and increasing the air flow and performance of the engine.

[Blue Star]

I have done my share too, and my mistake is going to be fixed next week. While the part is only $35.00, the labor is the scary part.

My mistake was thinking I remembered Lamonster's instructions from his video that he made for the install of the LidLox. Watched it when I was buying as part of my research when I bought it. If you watch the video I did what Lamonster warned not to do.

[UtahPete]

My Grampa Denman always said that the person who never made a mistake, is a person who never did anything.
At least you know what caused it, and Thanks for passing along a VERY useful tip to the rest of us!

I appreciate the followup, even though it must have been a little humbling to post it.

[JerryB]

Hi Ron,

Re: in all my years I have never torqued a spark plug

I've been wrenching on motor vehicles since 1954 & I'm with you.

Once it is like the German virgin ( Gudenteit ) it's good enough for me.

Jerry Baumchen

[Samson]

perfect opportunity to make any upgrades while its apart. lemons to lemon aid.

[ARtraveler]

Thanks for posting the information. Many times we here about the problem, but few come back with any updates.

Your "mistake" turned out to be expensive. Your publishing the results may save many from the same.

You are a good person.

[Bob Denman]

Once it is like the German virgin ( Gudenteit ) it's good enough for me.

I get the distinct impression that your youth was spent in a lot of very interesting places that are full of the best stories ever!

Did you survive it?

[Peteoz]

Thanks Spyder.....you're not the first and definitely won't be the last to do something like this. Thanks for posting the warning. I notice that no one has gone anywhere near calling you a goose, which shows how much a post like this is appreciated. I would post own my "failed initiatives", but Lamont may have a limit on the number of posts for an individual.........maybe not.....I just remembered Bob D

Pete

[Tango]

SH*T happens. You are not the only one to screw up somewhere, or something. We all do it. You just did it a little bit better. It takes a man to admit he screwed up. Tom