Can anyone identify this? Found on top of Piston #1 on a 2015 RT 1330

[LesC]

I found this on top of Piston #1 using a cheap bore scope. I’m going to remove the injector today. The picture on the screen does not show that it looks like a little pile of shredded metal. The engine was running when I started investigating the lack of power and poor fuel consumption at 9,600 miles. I don’t see how this could be a pile of anything considering combustion has been going on. In my opinion, the best case scenario is the material was around the base of the spark plug when I removed it. I removed the stick coil and then the plug. I should have been more diligent and blew out or vacuumed out around the plug following pulling out the stick coil. I was too eager to get the plug out to see how it looks. I’m doubtful it’s that simple since the spark plug looks like it has been burning richer and possibly oil fouled. #2 & 3 looked lightly tanned.


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[Snoking1127]

Is that #1 plug on the right? Looks like it was not firing correctly or way to much fuel. Thin tube on vacuum and see if you can suck the stuff off the piston. Clean canister on vacuum so you can inspect stuff that might come out.

 

[LesC]

Thank you for your response. Yes, #1 is on the right. I’m going to pull it out carefully, in a clear tube with a de-soldering bulb so I can inspect it. I’ll be pulling the injector/fuel rail to test and inspect the injectors. From there I’ll decide if I’m going to pull the head off. This is my second poor purchase on a reverse trike. The first was a Tilting Motor Works Trio kit in a 2006 Honda Gold Wing GL1800. It needs a few new parts, but I cannot get them from Acrimoto. They are trying to restructure out of bankruptcy, and it's taking them years.

 

[Snoking1127]

Thank you for your response. I’m going to pull it out carefully, in a clear tube with a desoldering bulb so I can inspect it. I’ll be pulling the injector/fuel rail to test and inspect the injectors. From there I’ll decide if I’m going to pull the head off. This is my second poor purchase on a reverse trike. The first is a Tilting Motor Works Trio kit in a 2006 Honda GoldWing GL1800. It needs a few new parts but cannot get them from Arcimoto. They are trying to restructure out of bankruptcy. Taking them years.

That was a neat concept, for the Goldwing. I followed it when it was first introduced. However, like you have learned it requires a strong support company to make it viable in the long run.

 

[KX5062]

I found this on top of Piston #1 using a cheap bore scope. I’m going to remove the injector today. The picture on the screen does not show that it looks like a little pile of shredded metal. The engine was running when I started investigating the lack of power and poor fuel consumption at 9,600 miles. I don’t see how this could be a pile of anything considering combustion has been going on. In my opinion, the best case scenario is the material was around the base of the spark plug when I removed it. I removed the stick coil and then the plug. I should have been more diligent and blew out or vacuumed out around the plug following pulling out the stick coil. I was too eager to get the plug out to see how it looks. I’m doubtful it’s that simple since the spark plug looks like it has been burning richer and possibly oil fouled. #2 & 3 looked lightly tanned.


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It doesn't look like metal to me. It looks like normal carbon fouling from either too rich fuel mix or burning a little oil. The color of the plug indicates one or both of these conditions are present. Too rich a fuel mix is the easier problem to chase. However, I'd suggest replacing the plugs, which you've already done, and then ride it for a few thousand miles and then pull and check them again. (It takes a while to get a good read on new plugs.). It doesn't appear to be that serious to me, from what I'm looking at, to be overly concerned.

 

[LesC]

It doesn't look like metal to me. It looks like normal carbon fouling from either too rich fuel mix or burning a little oil. The color of the plug indicates one or both of these conditions are present. Too rich a fuel mix is the easier problem to chase. However, I'd suggest replacing the plugs, which you've already done, and then ride it for a few thousand miles and then pull and check them again. (It takes a while to get a good read on new plugs.). It doesn't appear to be that serious to me, from what I'm looking at, to be overly concerned.

That sounds great. You might just be my new best friend. I’ve always driven or ridden old stuff and have been fortunate to never have had much trouble getting them to run well for decades. I’ve never encountered something like this. I’ll be pulling it out this afternoon and I’ll post the results. Thank you.