| Author | Message | ||
     Tpoppa |
I had an '03 XB9S for 5 years...after I sold it, I wanted another so I bought a used '05 XB9SX with 4,500 miles (100% stock). Now it has about 6,800 miles on it. I was riding it today and suddenly it sounded like it was running on 1 cylinder. I got it home and took off the airbox and sure enough the rear plug blew out of the head cover  The good news is that there doesn't appear to be metal shavings in the cyl. The bad news is it looks like the plug was cross threaded. I believe the plugs are original. I'm not sure if the plug was cross threaded at the factory, but the previous owner was not one to turn wrenches so I doubt he ever touched the plugs. Who's dealt with this before? If I need to replace the head cover, how bad of a job is it? Any idea how much a dealer would charge? | ||
| New12r |
I would try a new plug first. Putting on a new head is a breeze but you should be able to repair it. | ||
| Tpoppa |
The threads are stripped. I can wiggle a new plug all the way in. I could try a heli coil or a timesert...or replace the head. Do you need any special tools to replace the head? Any gotchas? | ||
| Point_doc |
I had to use this "thread repair" tool, but I also had the threads to repair not like your case. http://www.usatoolwarehouse.com/usatoolwarehouse/S TR-1013A.html I have never used this, but this setup was recommended on this site for another case similar to yours. http://www.timesert.com/html/sparkplug.html ...good luck. | ||
| Fullcircle |
I would recommend using the thread insert. Have used them lots in aluminum head in cars with great results. You could do it with the head on if you use grease on the tool to hold the cuttings and then blow out the cylinder with compressed air. If it were me, I would remove the head as it is easy enough. | ||
| New12r |
The only special tools you will need are a 1/2 inch 12 point socket, preferably a 1/2 in ratchet size as well. You will also need a rear stand to support the bike for rolling the motor down. Other than that it is pretty straight forward. | ||
| Damnut |
Tpoppa...... got your email, returned. | ||
| Thatman |
Dude that sucks big time, first thing I did with my bike when I got it home was to pull the plugs and make sure that all was good. I’m one of those guys that don’t trust anyone to work on my bike or car. My bike only has 5000 mi on it but I regularly check all the nuts and bolts at 1000 mile intervals. If your new plug is that loose I would think helicoils wouldn’t hold very long. I would say a new head or even a used one in good shape. If you don’t feel confident in doing the work yourself then by all mean take it to the dealer. | ||
| Johnnymceldoo |
Whats a new head cost? Id rather have it welded up and recut than helicoil. | ||
| Tpoppa |
Damnut, Got your message. Any advice is appreciated. New12r, I have a rear stand...I was wondering if that will give me enough clearance to rotate the motor. It's not the end of the world, but I am pretty disgusted by the whole thing. I am going to call Buell customer service tomorrow. I don't know if they will offer anything, but it doesn't hurt to try. I have heard heli-coils are not a good choice for spark plugs. The Timesert kit is around $140. I believe the dealer will charge around $1,200 to replace the head. I'll find out what a new head costs tomorrow. I'm leaning toward replacing the head myself. I am mechanically inclined and can most likely handle the job, but I am not looking forward to all that disassembly/assembly. I keep my bikes in pristine condition & this has me pretty bummed. | ||
| Hammer71 |
new head is right around 400 bucks. Just had this happen on my front head a couple days ago and thanks to Saintly I had it fixed in about a half hour (machined and timesert). Had the bike at the track the next day and not a single issue. The rear stand should give you enough room (tight but still enough room). Not a difficult job to do yourself just get new pushrod "O" rings and a new headgasket which is the same as the evo 1340 motor. | ||
| Tpoppa |
Hammer, What needed to be machined for the Timesert? Did you pull the head or tap it while it was still on the bike? | ||
| Hammer71 |
Took head off and Saintly machined the plug hole. The kit comes with the stuff to do it. Although you can do it with the head still on I dont think you can get the bit in there as straight as it should be. Looks and sounds harder than it actually is. | ||
| Tpoppa |
Hammer, Do you want to sell that Timesert kit? Or rent it out? | ||
| Hammer71 |
Wasn't mine. It was borrowed from saintlys boss. Will check into it for ya | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
how long should a set of plugs go for? .. i put some in at 10k, i think  | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Should really last forever, they're not really a wear part. However, after saying that, the variables kick in. So, it really all depends on your riding, your set up and tuning. If they're starting the bike and running okay, the only real reason to check them is to avoid this scenario. | ||
| New12r |
Should really last forever, they're not really a wear part. However, after saying that, the variables kick in. So, it really all depends on your riding, your set up and tuning. That statement is totally false and I highly recommend you never give that advice again. Keep in mind I have been behind a wrench for the better part of 15 years now. The spark plug electrodes WILL deteriorate from use and it IS a wear item. Every time the plug fires it is wearing down the tip it is fired from and the tip on the ground prong, eventually causing a gap change/weak fire that can lead to fouling. Even platinum and Iridum plugs will wear out. Factory plugs have a replacement interval of 10k. I do mine every 5k cuz they are cheap and I ride hard. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
That statement is totally false and I highly recommend you never give that advice again. Keep in mind I have been behind a wrench for the better part of 15 years now. Bit heavy that. And I got my m/c mechanics license two years after you were born, if you want to go with seniority. Read it again. There's the theoretical and the practical all right in there. NGK doesn't say it too much different. Figured as soon as I wrote that I'd run into a schedule purist. I'm not, if it works, why change it. And before you get all hot about that, yes, the second thing to go wrong, after no gas in the tank, is bad plugs. Easy enough to change at that point but as a mechanic, not a disassembly/assembly worker, you're going to look at the plug and figure out what it tells you. It hardly ever says, "I'm old, change me." I highly recommend you never give advice again without reading the post all the way through. | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
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| Iamarchangel |
Haha, I was in a cranky mood. I'll behave. | ||
| Fast1075 |
The iridium plugs are as close to "lifetime" as you will get...with no engine problems like oiling issues they will last 100K miles...the ones I have in my truck are at 106K miles with no problems. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
I just changed the Denso Iridiums on my XB12 at 15,000 miles. They definitely were worn, and the bike runs better, especially starting, with the new ones. Plugs were Denso IXU 24. | ||
| Jason13 |
any one put the split fires in there bikes and a part number im at 12,000 miles and it turns a year old next month needs plugs bc i ride the sh$# out of that bike | ||
| New12r |
Yup, I was in a pissy mood to. | ||
| Tpoppa |
When rotating the crankshaft, how can I tell if the valves are closed? | ||
| Damnut |
Tpoppa.......... my apologies for not returning your last email. I am on vacation this week and it's been pretty hectic. I'm taking the family with me on a business trip to Ireland on Saturday and we're trying to get ready for that as well. If you want it would be easier for me to talk to you over the phone for instructions on rotating the engine and doing the head removal. My number is in the BRAN. | ||
| Damnut |
Tpoppa.... got your message an hour after you called, unfortunately my cell phone works like crap in the house. I'll give you a call tomorrow around 7. Let me know if that works for you. | ||
| Ourdee |
Jason13, My personal opinion of Splitfires is that you may as well go with stock plugs. If you want an improvement, go with the Iridiums. That is what I did. I ran the Splitfires in my Jeep and ate a big gap out of them. They don't wear any better than cheap plugs in my opinion.   |
