2013 Spark Plug Change

[Dale2010]

Apparently one of the new features with the 2013 model is the placement of the ignition coils. If my understanding is correct, an actual ignition coil replaces what was previously a spark plug cap.

Has anyone yet tried to remove one of the coil/caps from the spark plugs? I tried today and gave up because it seemed that the plastic/ceramic cover was going to break before it would pull off the plug. What am I missing here. I've change a lot of motorcycle spark plugs in my time and this is a first for me.

Any help will be appreciated.

 

[SouthernCruizer]

first time off is a *****. I used a flat blade screwdriver to pry around edges as I twisted and pulled up on the coil. I then sprayed with silicone to reset. Next time off was much easier.

 

[gumba]

There's a tool out there to facilitate pulling coil/caps. I haven't found it yet.

 

[lnewlf]

I use these---lay a rag on the cam cover, grasp the boot a low as possible and gently lever the boot off..side to side rotation helps..I haven't done this with the coil on plug settup but it should work...maybe some tape around the coil to protect it.. Using the pliers as a lever instead of pulling works much better..

 

[pcarnut]

Is it possible to induce a little twisting motion as you're pulling, I've found this helps break the seal.

 

[Constant Mesh]

It would be nice if they fastened these coils to the head cover with small bolts. That way they wouldn't have to grip the plugs so tightly.

On my cars these individual coils are always fastened with small bolts. Once the bolt is removed the coil can be easily extracted.

 

[Dale2010]

Thanks to all who replied with the various suggestions. My first objective was to ensure that I wasn't doing something wrong in trying to pull the coil/covers off (plus I don't have to worry about senility, at least in the short term, from not knowing how to remove a spark plug cover

). A bit of prying under the "L" shape in the cap, combined with some twisting, and ta-da. Also, I tried SoutherCruise's idea of spraying with silicon spray to ease the effort next time.

Incidently, the plugs were perfect but at least now I know.

 

[rbentnail]

Incidently, the plugs were perfect but at least now I know.

At how many miles/km?

 

[Dale2010]

Incidently, the plugs were perfect but at least now I know.

At how many miles/km?

Due to a terrible "motorcycle-riding-weather" summer, I didn't get out much on my new FJR. Only about 6025 km on the odometer. However, each winter, I try to take some time and go all over the bike doing what maintenance I can, in preparation for the next riding season.

Unfortunately, what shoud be easy and normal maintenance is getting tougher and tougher with each year with Yamaha's philosophy of making access to everything as difficult as possible.

 

[3dogs]

Here is what BMW uses for it's coil-over-plug boxer engines.

https://www.cyclenutz.com/BMW-Spark-Plug-Cap-Removal-Tool_p_228.html

 

[GPRIDER]

6,000 miles seems a tad anal retentive to me, but the owners manual suggests changing plugs at 8,000 miles. So maybe not. Some of us put in the Iridium plugs for longer service. What ever floats your boat. I put mine in at 8,000 plus miles and it's still running great at 30,000. I'd be changing them every year if I stayed with the stock plugs. Just my 2 cents.

Gp

 

[Bustanut joker]

Actually he's just over 3700 miles.. You missed the km part didn't ya.

 

[ULEWZ]

I have 17,000 miles on my original plugs and it still runs great?

 

[Dale2010]

Actually he's just over 3700 miles.. You missed the km part didn't ya.

He also seemed to have missed that this is part of my annual maintenance. It simply came early in the bike's life because of a poor riding season and a trade, part way through. Of course any plug worthy of a name should last a lot longer than 6025 km but it will likely be another year before they get checked again so I simply wanted to know that all was running well. Admittedly, this is a bit soon for the overall check, fluid changes, lube, general adjustments and so forth but now I feel relatively sure that, other than tires, I should be OK until next year this time.

If I had the intestinal fortitude I would have checked the valves also but it seems like a lot of work and serious exploration into the unknown to attack at this point. It's simply been too long since I was into any serious wrenching so am treading very lightly.

 

[RadioHowie]

3700 miles is too early/soon to remotely worry about plugs. And to even consider doing a valve check at 3700 miles should be considered the new definition of insanity.

 

[Dale2010]

3700 miles is too early/soon to remotely worry about plugs. And to even consider doing a valve check at 3700 miles should be considered the new definition of insanity.

Who said anything about worrying about plugs or valves.

However, FYI the throttle slide synchronization was way off. When I received my first (2010) FJR, the steering head was loose from the factory/dealer and the engine was quite "clicky" for a new bike.

As someone who has either put together or help set up hundreds of new machines directly from the distributor - both Yamaha and Honda (albeit, a long time ago), assuming that all is OK just because the machine is new is, well you know,...an even newer definition.

 

[RadioHowie]

Who said anything about worrying about plugs or valves.

Ermmmmm....you did???

Has anyone yet tried to remove one of the coil/caps from the spark plugs? I tried today and gave up because it seemed that the plastic/ceramic cover was going to break before it would pull off the plug. What am I missing here. I've change a lot of motorcycle spark plugs in my time and this is a first for me. Any help will be appreciated.

And then there's THIS moment of near-lunacy on a 3700 mile motorcycle...

If I had the intestinal fortitude I would have checked the valves also but it seems like a lot of work and serious exploration into the unknown to attack at this point. It's simply been too long since I was into any serious wrenching so am treading very lightly.

Am I misreading something?

 

[HotRodZilla]

Nope Howie, your right on, because I read exactly what you read. I've never understood the idea that if 4k mile checks are good, 2k mile checks must be better.

 

[Bustanut joker]

You two fuks best chill or I'm gonna report yer dumb *****!

:****: