Issue removing standard NGK spark plug.

[chandlerbingfl]

I am having issues w/ my GZ, won't start. I got caught in a severe downpour and had to let the bike sit out overnight. When I got the bike back home I tried starting it several times, using the starter, cranks nicely. It appears that the battery (new) is still strong and even trying to push start doesn't matter. I figured I hosed the plug trying to start the bike so many times, so I stripped the bike to get to the plug (DR8EA) but I'm finding that the Suzuki provided tool does not fit plug. According to the plug specs a 11/16 socket should also work but it too is just a smidgen to
small to remove the plug.

Other than trying a different socket, anyone have any suggestions?

Appreciate any help in advance!

chandlerbingfl

[raul10141964]

If the suzuki socket do not fit min somebody use the incorrect spark plug

[blaine]

18mm thin wall socket. ;) :)

[jonathan180iq]

18mm thin wall socket. ;) :)

Yup

[ImaginativeFig]

And a deep one at that... and even then fitting the head of the socket driver in can be a pain :P

[chandlerbingfl]

Thanks guys!

chandlerbingfl

[chandlerbingfl]

Well I finally got my 18mm socket and just wanted to post the details. When I removed the original plug it felt very hard to not only loosen, it but to get it out of the spark plug hole. When I went to put a replacement plug in I could only use my fingers for a turn maybe just a bit more. Moving onto the socket if felt hard to twist it into place so I stopped.

Other than removing the head is there any way to tell if the threads are the issue? The plug threads look ok I think...

Here is a picture of the original plug.

Thank you in advance!
chandlerbingfl

[jonathan180iq]

That first thread looks slightly stripped. If it jumped a groove, then each time it turned as it was being spun in last time probably regrooved the head threads.

If this was a car, I would say just get a long-life spark plug and thread that sucker in there as best you can and live with it... but this is not a car.

This isn't the end of the world though. Try cleaning it as much as you can first. It may be a piece of debris that's not allowing the new plug to go in. It could also just be rust. That plug looks worn, like what I would expect to see coming out of a lawnmower.

Some people will advise against this, but a single pass with a wire brush can't do much harm. After that, vacuum out the port hole and try again. A little spark plug thread grease can't hurt either.

If the threading isn't really all that bad, just keep trying to thread your new plug a slightly different angles. At some point, it may catch the original groove and you'll be good to go.

[chandlerbingfl]

Thank you for the reply and suggestions! I am leery using a wire brush so I'm going to skip that for now. What concerns me is I can start threading the new plug using my fingers about a turn or two. I can see the threads on the plug and they don't look angled at all, Also when I use the socket it feels like it takes to much torque to comfortably turn. I even put a bit of oil on the new plug threads and that made no difference.

I'm going to see if I can "see" the threads in the head and go from there.

I definitely appreciate you help!
chandlerbingfl

[raul10141964]

ad grease to the wire brush so the debris stick to the brush and after cleaning the tread crank the engine to blow true the spark plug opening

[jonathan180iq]

ad grease to the wire brush so the debris stick to the brush and after cleaning the tread crank the engine to blow true the spark plug opening

Good advice!