Dealer replaced spark plugs at 7000 miles

[aka1004]

Is that common? I asked my dealer and he said it's not that uncomon
I have not been on any bike for 21 years so my memory of interval for spark plugs replacement is a bit sketchy.
When were your spark plugs changed on your spyder?

 

[dryheat]

They replaced mine, too. Not required by the "schedule", but the tech said they looked marginal and as long as he had the thing apart, he put new ones in.
I have installed a Hindle, performance air filter and the O2 sensor mod, so it may be running marginally rich, causing the plugs to appear darker (rather than light brown). Better than too lean. I've had no backfiring, and throttle response is smooth, so I'll leave it as is.

 

[aka1004]

They replaced mine, too. Not required by the "schedule", but the tech said they looked marginal and as long as he had the thing apart, he put new ones in.
I have installed a Hindle, performance air filter and the O2 sensor mod, so it may be running marginally rich, causing the plugs to appear darker (rather than light brown). Better than too lean. I've had no backfiring, and throttle response is smooth, so I'll leave it as is.

at what miles were yours changed?
i have the exact same equipments you listed.
funny thing is my miles per tank was down to 85miles when low fuel light comes on and after 6k service(a late one^^) it went back up to 110ish than gradually went down again. I noticed a better mpg after ecu reset, last time battery was disconnected so i did a reset again and first tank i did not notice any difference but 2nd tank went up to 110 miles than every tankful mpg went down again.

i am thinking by running the spyder richer, spark plugs are getting fouled and killing my mpg? and when i reset, ecu is adjusting to fouled plugs? then mpg goes up but spark plugs get more fouled and so on
:dontknow: just my theory.

 

[NancysToy]

at what miles were yours changed?
i have the exact same equipments you listed.
funny thing is my miles per tank was down to 85miles when low fuel light comes on and after 6k service(a late one^^) it went back up to 110ish than gradually went down again. I noticed a better mpg after ecu reset, last time battery was disconnected so i did a reset again and first tank i did not notice any difference but 2nd tank went up to 110 miles than every tankful mpg went down again.

i am thinking by running the spyder richer, spark plugs are getting fouled and killing my mpg? and when i reset, ecu is adjusting to fouled plugs? then mpg goes up but spark plugs get more fouled and so on
:dontknow: just my theory.

It does sound as if you may have some ECU or other performance issues. This is lousy mileage, even for a Spyder. Let's straighten some things out, though. As long as plugs are dry and firing, no matter what the color, they are not "fouled". A fouled plug does not fire, at least part of the tiime, and is a symptom, not a cause. Something always makes a plug foul. Replacing a fouled plug is necessary, but willl not cure the initial difficulty. The plug will certainly foul again. The "correct" color of dry deposits on plugs has always been a light tan. Today's lean burning engines may even show a virtually clear or white plug. Deposits on the electrode are normal. Black carbon is a sign of an overly rich condition. This should usually be addressed.

I am not of the opinion that spark plugs on modern engines should have to be changed in a few thousand miles. If they are being changed frequently, something is very wrong. The Spyder spark plugs are conventional plugs, but still should last thousands of miles. I don't know if there is a high performance equivalent. Note that plugs on the SE and SM models are not the same. This could indicate an inherent weakness in the ignition systems. Hope you find the root of your problem and get your mileage evened out and up a bit.
-Scotty

 

[effgjamis]

I was talking with my dealer yesterday, in reference to spark plugs. He checked his inventory and did not have any in stock. However, he looked it up and actually had a problem with the part, so he checked with the Spyder tech, and was told that the plug is of special type and gave him the number to look up, and also the tech stated that you MUST use the BRP HEAT PASTE on the plug or you will never be able to remove the plug, and you will then have to replace the cyl.
What kinda of magic is that special BRP Paste as opposed to the other Heat Paste that is on the market?

Yes, the dealer is ordering some plugs and paste to have in stock... DUH, I guess.

I also picked up a set of exhaust gaskets, which I ordered two weeks ago, for availability reasons, and guess what? The dealer did not order any additional gaskets for stock...Another BIG DUH .

Yes he does have 4 new spyders on the lot for sale.
Silver, red, yellow.. However, I am not sure as to SM or SE.

 

[NancysToy]

...However, he looked it up and actually had a problem with the part, so he checked with the Spyder tech, and was told that the plug is of special type and gave him the number to look up, and also the tech stated that you MUST use the BRP HEAT PASTE on the plug or you will never be able to remove the plug, and you will then have to replace the cyl...

I don't know what plug is in the SM5 model, and I am too lazy to go pull a panel and look. If someone has the designation, please post it here. The SE5, however, is listed as using an NGK DCPR9E plug. This is a conventional, 12 mm, projected nose, resistor plug. The only thing really different about it is the 5/8" hex. There are iridium and platinum versions of this plug available in some countries, but they have a different suffix. I'm not so sure where your tech is coming from. Sounds like he is fishing for job security. He is probably quite right about the paste, although I doubt the BRP paste would be essential, any good brand should do.
-Scotty

 

[dryheat]

I don't know what plug is in the SM5 model, and I am too lazy to go pull a panel and look. If someone has the designation, please post it here. The SE5, however, is listed as using an NGK DCPR9E plug. This is a conventional, 12 mm, projected nose, resistor plug. The only thing really different about it is the 5/8" hex. There are iridium and platinum versions of this plug available in some countries, but they have a different suffix. I'm not so sure where your tech is coming from. Sounds like he is fishing for job security. He is probably quite right about the paste, although I doubt the BRP paste would be essential, any good brand should do.
-Scotty

Mine was at the 6K service and the plugs were dry and I didn't see any deposits. The plugs were the same DCPR9E. They only charged me $7 for the pair so I wasn't too concerned. Bike's running fine, just got back from a 200 mile joyride down to Tombstone for lunch at "Big Nose Kate's". Perfect weather (low 80's). :thumbup: (I'll be smug now... you can chortle when it's 105 here and weather is perfect back east!)

 

[dryheat]

at what miles were yours changed?
i have the exact same equipments you listed.
funny thing is my miles per tank was down to 85miles when low fuel light comes on and after 6k service(a late one^^) it went back up to 110ish than gradually went down again. I noticed a better mpg after ecu reset, last time battery was disconnected so i did a reset again and first tank i did not notice any difference but 2nd tank went up to 110 miles than every tankful mpg went down again.

i am thinking by running the spyder richer, spark plugs are getting fouled and killing my mpg? and when i reset, ecu is adjusting to fouled plugs? then mpg goes up but spark plugs get more fouled and so on
:dontknow: just my theory.

I'm getting 'bout 32mpg pretty consistantly, whether around town or on the interstate at 75.

 

[palehorsevt]

They replaced mine, too. Not required by the "schedule", but the tech said they looked marginal and as long as he had the thing apart, he put new ones in.
I have installed a Hindle, performance air filter and the O2 sensor mod, so it may be running marginally rich, causing the plugs to appear darker (rather than light brown). Better than too lean. I've had no backfiring, and throttle response is smooth, so I'll leave it as is.

Could you please tell me more about the performance air filter and o2 sensor. Thank you.

 

[effgjamis]

plug and paste

I checked with the service manual and on page 472 " spark plug" it states for Spyder GS the plug as being NGK DCP9E and the Heat-sink paste P12 " p/n 420 897 186.

I guess the SM and SE uses the same plug as I find no other reference as they be different.

 

[NancysToy]

I checked with the service manual and on page 472 " spark plug" it states for Spyder GS the plug as being NGK DCP9E and the Heat-sink paste P12 " p/n 420 897 186.

I guess the SM and SE uses the same plug as I find no other reference as they be different.

The plug you quoted would be a non-resistor plug. :yikes: The SE uses a DCPR9E. The plugs for the two models have different part numbers in the BRP parts system, but the system doesn't show the NGK number for the SM plug.
-Scotty

 

[dryheat]

The plug you quoted would be a non-resistor plug. :yikes: The SE uses a DCPR9E. The plugs for the two models have different part numbers in the BRP parts system, but the system doesn't show the NGK number for the SM plug.
-Scotty

just checked my dealer invoice for the 6K service (I have an SM5) and the plug they listed was the DCPR9E NGK stk #2641 That's a consistant cross with the NGK site, but they don't list the Spyder in their "Part Finder" (duh... what did I expect?)

 

[spyryder]

I checked with the service manual and on page 472 " spark plug" it states for Spyder GS the plug as being NGK DCP9E and the Heat-sink paste P12 " p/n 420 897 186.

I guess the SM and SE uses the same plug as I find no other reference as they be different.

Just checked my service manual, but it's on p. 566 in this one. Shows NGK DCPR9E. My '08 SM5 operators guide also shows the same number. Looks to me like they both use the same plug. Not sure why the parts list (as Scotty mentioned) shows different part #'s. :dontknow:

 

[aka1004]

I'm getting 'bout 32mpg pretty consistantly, whether around town or on the interstate at 75.

i will be happy with anything above 25 mpg or anything consistent really.
i do ryde it pretty hard so i am not expecting great mpg but my mpg swings from 18 mpg to 30 mpg. it gets pretty good after ecu reset but with every tank it gets worse.
some sundays i go for ryde and fuel 3 times and every tank mpg goes down according to miles i run against gallons of fuel i pumped. my ecu was changed twice already and i am leaning toward a hardware problem for this

 

[effgjamis]

I goofed......

The plug is: NGK DCPR9E and not as I posted NGK DCP9E..
Can't read nor write.
sorry.

 

[NancysToy]

just checked my dealer invoice for the 6K service (I have an SM5) and the plug they listed was the DCPR9E NGK stk #2641 That's a consistant cross with the NGK site, but they don't list the Spyder in their "Part Finder" (duh... what did I expect?)

Look under "Roadster" in the Parts Finder.

Just checked my service manual, but it's on p. 566 in this one. Shows NGK DCPR9E. My '08 SM5 operators guide also shows the same number. Looks to me like they both use the same plug. Not sure why the parts list (as Scotty mentioned) shows different part #'s. :dontknow:

That is odd that they would show different parts numbers. Just another example of chaos and disorganization on BRP's part, I'm afrtaid. Thanks for verifying the NGK cross reference, fellas.
-Scotty