This is Totally Uncalled For - Spark Plugs at 12,000 Miles ??

[Mark R.]

My 2012 Super Tenere hit 12,000 miles, so I read the thread above about spark plug replacement and dived right in.

Take off the seat, side covers, tank, airbox, front motor mount, then try to get the fully locktited bolts out that hold down the coils. That was difficult. Blow out the holes, then pull out plugs that are absolutely fine !! Usually manufacturers have service intervals that are too long, in my opinion. I never stretch out oil and filter changes to manufacturer specs, but this plug issue, that deserves some more thought. It is a total pain in the ass to change plugs, and when they don't even look like they need replacement, that really gripes me.

Are there any platinum plugs that fit the S10 that will go at least the 24,000 miles between valve adjustments? Do stock plugs go 24,000 miles? I think if I could use plugs that would go that distance, at least I would only have to go down there once every 24,000 miles rather than twice.

I normally love working on motorcycles, but I'm not looking forward to the valve check. No sir.

Mark R.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[La Knee]

Mark if you had to do it over would you waite till the valve adjustment ?
I changed my ST1300 plugs at 25,000 and they looked fine and i didnt notice any difference once changed .


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[Mark R.]

I would wait, for sure. If the engine starts running poorly, then do it. Automobiles routinely get 100,000 miles off a set of plugs, so I find this recommended service interval annoying, considering how much you have to do to change them.


Mark R.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[WJBertrand]

I'm going to change mine when I inspect valve clearances, every 26K


-Jeff

 

[La Knee]

Thanks


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[Z06]

Changed mine at the two valve checks I have done. First at 28000 miles and second at 70000. Can't imagine needing changed at 12000 miles. Also, doesn't the owners manual suggest cleaning at 4000 mile intervals?

 

[Mark R.]

Changed mine at the two valve checks I have done. First at 28000 miles and second at 70000. Can't imagine needing changed at 12000 miles. Also, doesn't the owners manual suggest cleaning at 4000 mile intervals?

Yes it does. Ridiculous.

 

[Brick]

I'm trying to remember what I did on my 2012 but I think when we went in to check valves at 27,000 miles we also changed plugs. The old ones looked just fine. I sold the bike at 80,800 miles and I don't think the new owner has changed them since.

Now on my 2014ES we are going to check valves at 34,660 miles and I have new plugs that I will put in. I think they can go a LOT longer than most think. ::021::

 

[Pterodactyl]

The FJR has some similar silly maintenance intervals. 4,000 miles between oil changes for example. I think the plugs are supposed to be changed every 8,000, or maybe it's 12,000. I ran my last set 22,000 and they looked like they could have gone another 22,000. I now change plugs and synch the TBs when I'm bored in the winter and looking for something to do.

 

[AVGeek]

I checked my plugs at 24K, and I didn't find them difficult to get to at all. I didn't do anything with the front motor mount (??), and simply popped the side covers and tilted the tank up. I was in and out of there in about 20 minutes.

 

[HeliMark]

I checked my plugs at 24K, and I didn't find them difficult to get to at all. I didn't do anything with the front motor mount (??), and simply popped the side covers and tilted the tank up. I was in and out of there in about 20 minutes.

Same here, same milage. Mine looked pretty good, but since I had them out and already had a new set, I changed them anyways.

It just took me an undisclosed amount of time : to figure out one only needs to take the vent hose out of the lower clamp so it slides up to reconnect easily to the bottom of the tank.

Mark

 

[TenereStreets]

Just changed my spark plugs after only 11,350 miles on them (done in just under a year). Curious why the metal shells came out looking like this? I’ve changed plugs before and they often look like #3. Not sure what I did wrong, if anything, so the metal shells ended up looking corroded like #1, #2, or rusted like #4.. Any insights appreciated! BTW, bike ran great, was just sticking to the maintenance schedule.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Like AvGeek and others, I can be in and out in less than a half hour, so not sure why the concern. Here's the how-to stickie for those interested: http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=8671.0

There are several previous threads with multiple people posting about corroded plugs or coil issues. Here is an example:
http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=20557.0

 

[JRE]

My 2012 Super Tenere hit 12,000 miles, so I read the thread above about spark plug replacement and dived right in.

Take off the seat, side covers, tank, airbox, front motor mount, then try to get the fully locktited bolts out that hold down the coils. That was difficult. Blow out the holes, then pull out plugs that are absolutely fine !! Usually manufacturers have service intervals that are too long, in my opinion. I never stretch out oil and filter changes to manufacturer specs, but this plug issue, that deserves some more thought. It is a total pain in the ass to change plugs, and when they don't even look like they need replacement, that really gripes me.

Are there any platinum plugs that fit the S10 that will go at least the 24,000 miles between valve adjustments? Do stock plugs go 24,000 miles? I think if I could use plugs that would go that distance, at least I would only have to go down there once every 24,000 miles rather than twice.

I normally love working on motorcycles, but I'm not looking forward to the valve check. No sir.

Mark R.
Albuquerque, NM

Yamaha's version of CYA
Plus, if people bring it to the dealer for this maintenance, that's good for the dealer network.

 

[WJBertrand]

Well here are mine at 27,303 miles. Totally clean and perfect in color. The gaps were a little wide to spec but otherwise these plugs were perfect. I was worried about finding the corrosion others have reported but mine were all nice and clean. The coil stick and cap seem to fit pretty snugly and I noticed it took an extra bit of pressure to fully seat them. There's kind of a double click heard/felt. I wonder if some folks, or the factory, aren't fully seating the coil/covers? Over the 27K these plugs saw, there were several big rain storms I rode through but I've never splashed through a creek or anything.

 

[Bigbore4]

On both my Super Tenere and my FJR I change the plugs at the valve service. They look fine, but when you have the thing spread all over, that's the time.

As to the interval specified. And I have no inside information at brand tuning fork so this is pure speculation. I worked for a company that builds engines. I ran a test cell that ran EPA and CARB emissions certification tests. There is a component in the emissions standard or certification called "Deterioration Factor". DF drove some silly maintenance specs on one of our engines. It all depends on how close to the line you certify. If you have margin, great. If you are on the nubbins, you may need to specify certain maintenance items at short intervals to keep the engine within the boundaries for its expected service life.

My .02

 

[Jono49]

I cant see what the fuss is about? it's good to get in there and get familiar with your bike, I did mine at 15.662 miles, and found evidence of a little water ingress on cyl 1 so coated all the coil packs with silicone grease to make a better seal, and a little on the bolts for the coil packs, (Locktight my arse) My air filter was black when I got it out! but I predicted this and had one ready, and for me this alone was justification for doing the plugs! and I also found what a rust trap that rubber seal around the tank was ??? and binned it straight away, a quick wipe with ACF50 was enough to rejuvinate the tank edge and will get that treatment after every wash from now on! ::008::

 

[Checkswrecks]

I cant see what the fuss is about? it's good to get in there and get familiar with your bike, I did mine at 15.662 miles, and found evidence of a little water ingress on cyl 1 so coated all the coil packs with silicone grease to make a better seal, and a little on the bolts for the coil packs, (Locktight my arse) My air filter was black when I got it out! but I predicted this and had one ready, and for me this alone was justification for doing the plugs! and I also found what a rust trap that rubber seal around the tank was ??? and binned it straight away, a quick wipe with ACF50 was enough to rejuvinate the tank edge and will get that treatment after every wash from now on! ::008::

If you are referring to me saying I didn't understand the concern - I think there's an understanding. I was agreeing with others that access wasn't that bad.


I totally agree with you on it being a good thing to do!

 

[RonH]

I did mine at 27,000 miles along with the valves and air cleaner. All my plugs looked good as new, although gaps were a little wide. All valves were perfect
center spec. The air filter was not too bad, dirty, but in no way out of it's useful life. Did the throttle sync for the first time as well, and it was perfect, no need to change a thing. I'm more than happy with the bike and will continue the 27k interval on all work in these items.

 

[Jono49]

If you are referring to me saying I didn't understand the concern - I think there's an understanding. I was agreeing with others that access wasn't that bad.


I totally agree with you on it being a good thing to do!

I was referring to the OP ::008::