navigator
Expert Class
Posts: 308
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posted April 01, 2007 05:49 PM
Changed spark plugs today.
Well, I just changed my plugs at 14,855 miles. The old ones didn't look bad and it didn't run bad but I had the new ones so I put them in.
Small hands would be a big help getting this done but I didn't have any available so I made do with my own. You can do the job with the factory tool kit but a 1/4" drive ratchet and a 14mm socket make the job easier.
Remove all the plastic from the sides of the bike. Surely, nobody needs instruction on how to accomplish that. Remove the seat and get the tool kit from the storage box. Dump the tool kit out onto the garage floor and locate the spark plug tool. Don't even attempt to do the job without it. It is a socket with a hinged stem and a 14 mm hex welded to the top.
Start on the right side and look at the top of the engine. You will see 4 round disc shapes in line on the valve cover. Each has an electrical connector attached. Disconnect the 1st connector, grab hold of the part that the wire was connected to and twist while lifting upward. If you twist and pull hard enough a 6" long by 1" diameter tubular shape will come out of the hole. That is your stick coil and it was attached to the spark plug. You cannot see or feel the plug in the hole unless you have extremely long fingers. Put the spark plug socket tool in the hole and push it down over the plug (there is a rubber boot in the socket that captures the plug). If you have the 1/4" ratchet and 14mm socket, this is where it is very handy. Use it to break the plug loose and remove it. Remember, righty-tighty, lefty-loosey.
Repeat for the next two plugs. You can only reach 1 plug from the left side and it is easier if you remove the bracket that holds the wire loom that is directly in the way.
Install in reverse order and be sure to use silicone grease on the spark plug ceramic and the inside and outside of the rubber boot on the coil to help ease installation. Remember how hard it was to remove the coil sticks and use plenty of pressure and a twisting motion to make sure the coil contact goes fully on the plug end. Reattach the coil wires to the correct plug.
You will also notice a 1/2" ID rubber hose that is in your way on the right side. That is for the emissions air injection. I cut it off and plugged the bottom of the air box and the end of the hose where it attaches to the valve. I only had time for a short ride afterward but I ran it pretty hard and didn't notice any decel pops. I'll post up later about this if it continues to solve the problem.
The NGK spark plug number and the torque spec are in the owners manual.
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Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
  
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zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
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posted April 01, 2007 06:29 PM
Thanks for the writeup Nav - good info. I was wondering how difficult it would be to replace those, that doesn't sound too bad at all.
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
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Ojref
Expert Class
Posts: 336
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posted April 01, 2007 06:34 PM
quote:
Thanks for the writeup Nav - good info. I was wondering how difficult it would be to replace those, that doesn't sound too bad at all.
The leftmost side COP was a bitch to remove. I used a rubber strap, looped it around the COP's head and used elastic pressure until it popped out. The others weren't too bad, however the left side innermost plug will be difficult for those of you with big meat pounders.
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2006 Kawasaki ZX-14 Ninja, Red now with mo' Brock's in my lyfe
1991 Yamaha Vmax - Because I need a mule to carry the manhood
2002 Ford Lightning - Ford GT Aluminum block engined, 802HP 911TQ now WhippleCharged
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zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
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posted April 01, 2007 06:44 PM
Would one of those plier-style spark plug boot removal tools help getting that left side COP out?
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
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navigator
Expert Class
Posts: 308
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posted April 02, 2007 10:38 AM
quote:
Would one of those plier-style spark plug boot removal tools help getting that left side COP out?
Due to the size of the stick I don't know if they would work or not. I used a carefully placed screwdriver to help add some lift while I twisted.
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Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
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bbirdxx2000
Expert Class
Posts: 147
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posted April 02, 2007 02:34 PM
Carl, so what kind of mileage can we get out of these plugs, 20,000 ?. I may have the plugs changed when I have the valves adjusted
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9.96 @ 143 stock with flies removed
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navigator
Expert Class
Posts: 308
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posted April 02, 2007 02:51 PM
quote:
Carl, so what kind of mileage can we get out of these plugs, 20,000 ?. I may have the plugs changed when I have the valves adjusted
Harry, all I can say for sure is the owners manual says to change at 7500 and I went almost double that. The plugs looked good but I have heard that trying to get too much out of them can cause failures of the coils. I paid $11.46 per plug which isn't exactly cheap but is much less that the new coils would cost. I guess iridium plugs should cost a little more than standard old AC Delcos.
I also changed my air filter which is recommended for change at 12K miles. I definitely noticed this morning that the idle is smoother and the throttle response is improved. I think that it is due to the filter which was pretty well packed with junk.
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Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
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zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
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posted April 02, 2007 06:46 PM
I've heard that the service manual says to replace the plugs at a MUCH higher interval than the owners manual. I don't have my own service manual yet, so I can't confirm...
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
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SciFiJoe
Parking Attendant
Posts: 15
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posted April 03, 2007 04:49 PM
quote:
I've heard that the service manual says to replace the plugs at a MUCH higher interval than the owners manual. I don't have my own service manual yet, so I can't confirm...
Both the owners manual (page 111) and the service manual (page 2-5) recommend replacing the plugs at 7,500 mile intervals.
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White '07 ZX14, flies out, Brock's Gen 3, PCIII USB & Brock's map.
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