CR10EK Issues?

[Liquid Blue]

Read on an old R1 forum posting of riders having possible issues when leaving CR10EK's in for an extended time duration. They're saying the threads on the CR10's protrude slightly into the combustion chamber (hence the added compression making for a couple more HP). If not changed over time the threads could accumulate carbon build up. Then upon removal, damaging head threads. Anyone experience, or heard of this?

 

[judger101]

ive read quite a bit on it, guys have been running them for like 10 years in these engines without issues.

 

[guardrail]

Mine have been in since November of 06. I pulled one last summer just to see what it looked like. No problems getting out.

 

[guardrail]

If I remember correctly the problem with carbon was people running 92 or 93 octane fuel instead of 87. The slower burning higher octane was causing a cooler combustion. Causing sticky piston rings and burning oil.

 

[tomanytoyz]

Colder plug..I cannot tell the difference in performance 10EK plugs and stock plugs when i go out! seat of the pants i dont know of ANYONE that can tell! spinning dyno you can see difference yes. past 2 yrs i have been sparking CR9EK plug ,engine sounds/fires better on cold start-up to me,after that just good times reliable Apex !

 

[guardrail]

I put mine in when the sled was new, so couldn't tell you if it made a difference.

 

[Irv]

Mine have been in since November of 06. I pulled one last summer just to see what it looked like. No problems getting out.

Seriously?
I was thinking about changing mine out this year on my 08 with just over 3,000 miles but thought to myself, the sled still starts and runs good so why bother?

Is there any reason out there to change them on a scheduled basis, or do most just leave them until they know for sure they need changing?

 

[guardrail]

Mine have 8500 miles on them. It's not a two stroke. How often do you change the plugs in your car?
I always let it warm up before I ride. I fouled them once by trying to pull out before the light went out. I just never looked, got on the sled and hit the gas. I just pulled the fuel pump relay and held it wide open and tried to start it. It fired for about 2 seconds, I put the relay back in, let it warm up, then went riding. I think that was 3 or 4 years ago

 

[Irv]

Mine have 8500 miles on them. It's not a two stroke. How often do you change the plugs in your car?
I always let it warm up before I ride. I fouled them once by trying to pull out before the light went out. I just never looked, got on the sled and hit the gas. I just pulled the fuel pump relay and held it wide open and tried to start it. It fired for about 2 seconds, I put the relay back in, let it warm up, then went riding. I think that was 3 or 4 years ago

Yeah, I hear what your saying but my car/truck motors don't rev to 10,000 rpms either though.

I was also thinking it might not be a bad idea to at least check them out, which would also free them up and help them from becoming seized in there. Anything to worry about by not doing that?

Lastly, when one does change their plugs, is it best to do it when the engine is warm or cold, or does it really matter?

 

[guardrail]

I've always changed mine cold. I also put antisieze on the threads. If you pull them them out, put antisieze on the threads. I use the stuff on anything that gets hot. It works great. I had an R1 street bike, sold it with 25000 miles on it. Never touched the plugs. That ran mostly 7-8000 rpms, but it had a lot of time at 11,000rpms

 

[Irv]

I've always changed mine cold. I also put antisieze on the threads. If you pull them them out, put antisieze on the threads. I use the stuff on anything that gets hot. It works great. I had an R1 street bike, sold it with 25000 miles on it. Never touched the plugs. That ran mostly 7-8000 rpms, but it had a lot of time at 11,000rpms

I also use it where I can but it has always concerned me putting it on spark plug threads.

I assume you use the non metalic Anit-Seize Guardrail, and only use a very small amount?

 

[guardrail]

Yep, just enough to cover the threads

 

[Irv]

Yep, just enough to cover the threads

Thanks

 

[tomanytoyz]

Mine have been in since November of 06. I pulled one last summer just to see what it looked like. No problems getting out.

Seriously?
I was thinking about changing mine out this year on my 08 with just over 3,000 miles but thought to myself, the sled still starts and runs good so why bother?

Is there any reason out there to change them on a scheduled basis, or do most just leave them until they know for sure they need changing?

I changed them first year i got the sled,,buddy started the machine up when i was in the house to hear it run and shut it down too early..fouled.then i heard that 10EK are better plugs,so i put them in and ran them for a few years.i then fouled them myself when i do my start-ups and was empty on fuel died i thought had more...so now i have CR9EK plugs and they have been fine.going to keep these plugs in for a while..i never used anti-seize on threads,never gave me any issues,good measure i guess.important always torque down plugs to what the manufacture says ,i have taking plugs out of others machines that wayyy over tighten them down.

 

[grader]

without going out to the garage to actually look, im calling bs on the plug being longer and thats why it raises compression. they are the same except for the extra ground electrode.