Remote Spark Plug Diagnosis

[pfrederi 20,234]

My older brother lives in Maine he has serious mobility issues and lately a bit of confusion.  A few years ago I set him up with  Charger 12  ( @953 nut  should recognize)   that he uses to move his boat trailer around and small trailer for branches etc. no mowing and it sits all winter unused.  This year it wouldn't start.  He has a young caregiver and he and she were trying to get it going.  We had several long phone calls.  It would pop and sputter on Carb Cleaner but not run. Then it stopped doing that. Worked through checking carb bowl for fuel, disconnecting fuel line to check pump output. .  In the midst of all this the coil wire got knocked off (breakerless system) took a couple calls to run that down)  had fuel and spark plug tester showed a flash.  Yesterday got new plug and now she runs!!!.  Had then send me picture of the old plug.  I am used to seeing carbon build up (I have a couple oil burners) and other build up but not sure what I am seeing here.  He uses stabil and the last couple years thinks he uses non e gas (his memory is not that great)

 

 

 

 

[ebinmaine 78,209]

Crusty oil carbon gunkies.  

 

In the past we used to change plugs every 5 or 10 years, or more. Lately? More in the range of two, three years max.

[sqrlgtr 2,550]

11 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Crusty oil carbon gunkies.  

plug probably wouldn't look near as bad if it got run more. Big difference between picking up sticks and mowing wide open 3/4hrs straight.

 

21 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

A few years ago I set him up with  Charger 12

  very cool.

[pfrederi 20,234]

You are correct I doubt it ever really gets fully warmed up.  If it was a Champion H10 my first step would have been new plug.    Guess i will send him a new plug every spring.

[squonk 46,074]

Send him Autolite 216 And have her get some Seafoam to put in the tank.

[ri702bill 11,778]

4 minutes ago, squonk said:

Send him Autolite 216 And have her get some Seafoam to put in the tank.

I believe the Autolite plug is a slightly hotter heat range - that will help. So would a good old fashioned anti-fouling female to male plug extender.

Dad's 702 uses oil and will foul the plug after about a 1/2 hour of WOT use. Runs fine till then. Shut it off and the plug arcs to ground thur the buildup, preventing a re-start. Pull the plug, blast the business end with carb cleaner spray, reinstall, good to go....

[pfrederi 20,234]

It was an Autolite 216... I haven't used Champions in years.  I sent him a NGK B-2 this time.

 

It lasted 5 years...guess not to bad for that kind of usage...

Edited 8 hours ago by pfrederi

[sqrlgtr 2,550]

3 hours ago, pfrederi said:

I sent him a NGK B-2 this time

My brand of choice. Went to these years ago because they were easier on the threads of the VW bugs aluminum heads and now try to run them in everything if/when I can. Champions is my last choice when shopping for spark plugs.

[oliver2-44 11,380]

7 hours ago, ri702bill said:

. So would a good old fashioned anti-fouling female to male plug extender.

Bill, enlighten me on this old fashioned trick.

[squonk 46,074]

8 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

Bill, enlighten me on this old fashioned trick.

Moves the spark plug away from the combustion chamber to hopefully keep the electrode out of the oil. Have to be careful on car engines. I 've seen them burn pistons. 

 

[ri702bill 11,778]

Exactly. My 1st car was a 57 Chevy 210 with a 283 V8. The #6 press fit piston wrist pin unpressed itself & wore a 3/32" deep groove into the cylinder wall. I used one on that cylinder & 40 wt oil. Kept a spare "clean" plug, socket & ratchet in the glovebox. Changed the plug & recycled it daily. The joys of being 18 with a $120 first car.

Edited 51 minutes ago by ri702bill