Plug woe's (well wot ones really!)
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:27 pmAfter a 'shakey' start with the recently acquired Supa5 - it ran ok for a short spell then died and refused to start.... 
Investigations found sparks from the plug so it wasnt electics...
So peering into the tank found some fuel + some "rusty" looking tank insides.
After some cleaning and sloshing the tank about it seemed that some rust and lumps of 'goo' (old petseal type stuff?) a-plenty.
So more cleaning and off with the fuel hose and inline filter to replace, some cleaning of the carb, some new fuel (mix 1:50 with good quality 2-stroke oil) and.......it then started again....and seems 'strong'.
Guessing this may have been a combination of 'long-standing', corrosion, some 'tank-sealant' (that isnt sealing anything any more...ethanol affected?) but its running again. No leaks as yet so not sure why the 'gunge' was in the tank!
Anyway got me wondering about spark plugs and spares.
After reading and article on the web "Mind The Gap" about a guy who acquired an ETZ 250 (so not quite the same as the TS250/1) and set off to Ireland and had problems with an NGK B8HS-10 and then when changing that was (or had to) re-gap the plug a few times in his travels.
What plugs should I get?
I am a bit confused by a (huge) range of numbers and styles of plug - V-this, Iridium that, Platinum here....(and this is only NGK!).
The aforementioned B8HS-10 from the guy with the ETZ, and then BP8HS; B8HVX; BR8HIX.....
Regards
M
Gear Oils are a bit puzzelling too. I seem to recall long ago using Castrol EP90 or I think EP90W but cant find that. Now I know that was a long time ago - but what is recommended these days?
Investigations found sparks from the plug so it wasnt electics...
So peering into the tank found some fuel + some "rusty" looking tank insides.
After some cleaning and sloshing the tank about it seemed that some rust and lumps of 'goo' (old petseal type stuff?) a-plenty.
So more cleaning and off with the fuel hose and inline filter to replace, some cleaning of the carb, some new fuel (mix 1:50 with good quality 2-stroke oil) and.......it then started again....and seems 'strong'.
Guessing this may have been a combination of 'long-standing', corrosion, some 'tank-sealant' (that isnt sealing anything any more...ethanol affected?) but its running again. No leaks as yet so not sure why the 'gunge' was in the tank!
Anyway got me wondering about spark plugs and spares.
After reading and article on the web "Mind The Gap" about a guy who acquired an ETZ 250 (so not quite the same as the TS250/1) and set off to Ireland and had problems with an NGK B8HS-10 and then when changing that was (or had to) re-gap the plug a few times in his travels.
What plugs should I get?
I am a bit confused by a (huge) range of numbers and styles of plug - V-this, Iridium that, Platinum here....(and this is only NGK!).
The aforementioned B8HS-10 from the guy with the ETZ, and then BP8HS; B8HVX; BR8HIX.....
Regards
M
Gear Oils are a bit puzzelling too. I seem to recall long ago using Castrol EP90 or I think EP90W but cant find that. Now I know that was a long time ago - but what is recommended these days?