How often to change plugs on a RX?

[Mikey]

Seasonally
or
3,200 km
(2,000 mi)
(160 hr)

right from the RX-1 service manual.

 

[kcusscam]

Holly crap, I picked mine up locally I think they where about 12-14 for all four.

Ok, I have to take that back, they where 19.53 with tax but I bough it with card boots and plugs for my other sled so it was 15% off the purchase because I spent more than 75 so it was 16.52 for these plugs (tax included).

 

[Honk]

rightarm, I guess I still don't see the benifits you desribe. My sled has worked wonderfully since the winter of 02-03 .and still does! Gas milage has never dropped and it performs just like new. I don't think These plugs wear out as quickly as you describe. Now if we were talkin 2 stroke I'd agree fully! see ya.

 

[Sasquatch]

I installed new plugs at 6 thousand miles, and could not see or feel the diff. I say why fix if not broken?

OUCH! :exc: another reason not to buy used

And what difference does not changing plugs for 6,000 miles have to do with the quality of a used sled? Strange comment!

 

[Sasquatch]

My post about buying used is, it is a terrible way to buy a sled,considering some poor maintenance scheduale's that most have done and post on here.

The thing that really makes me laugh is people will spend money on cigarettes and booze feel really good about it but when it comes to buy a set of plugs,wouldn't wanna break the bank!

I change them yearly,the benefits are all worth it.

Wow don't buy mine then as the plugs now have near 8,000 miles on them. Gas mileage is at its all time high of 20mpg and still starts at -38C. Change for the sake of change makes no sense.

Even my two strokes would go 2,500 miles on a set of plugs. A comment you made about changing plugs every 6 months puzzles me as well. Some have put 10,000 miles on in a winter. So I would guess then they don't fall under the poor maintenance types unless they try to go a second winter. LOL

 

[Eggman]

Thanks for all the imput.

 

[rightarm]

rightarm, I guess I still don't see the benifits you desribe. My sled has worked wonderfully since the winter of 02-03 .and still does! Gas milage has never dropped and it performs just like new. I don't think These plugs wear out as quickly as you describe. Now if we were talkin 2 stroke I'd agree fully! see ya.

Unfortunately,there is no single answer to this question. As spark plugs grow older, they lose their sharp edges as material from the center and ground electrodes is slowly eroded away. As the gap between these two points grows, the voltage required to bridge the gap increases proportionately. Even the best ignition systems will be strained to supply enough voltage to completely burn the fuel. It is at this point, when fuel is being left unburned, that the time has come to change spark plugs.

Replacing worn out spark plugs with new ones (with sharp new edges) effectively restores the ignition system's efficiency. Misfires are reduced, power is restored, economy of operation is enhanced and emissions are reduced.

The best guide is the manufacturer's recommendation for your vehicle, as this particular service varies from brand to brand and model to model. In the absence of this information or in conjunction with it, you can rely on the advice of a mechanic who is familiar with your type of vehicle. In the best of all worlds, this would be a mechanic who is also familiar with the vehicle you own. If you find a good mechanic, whether dealer or independent, stick with him. The better he knows your personal vehicle, the better he will be able to diagnose and service it. The end result is very much like a doctor-patient relationship and, in the long run, you will have a healthier vehicle.

 

[RX1red]

I have 11000 miles on my sled and have never touched them.This is not a two stroke.Should be good for 20000 miles

 

[rightarm]

I have 11000 miles on my sled and have never touched them.This is not a two stroke.Should be good for 20000 miles

Whatever must be a real fast one too,I guess you can't read either,try your owner's manual.

 

[bdm]

If you are going to push them as many miles as you can I think that you should still pull them, inspect, and reinstall with anti-seize.

Remember when the auto manufacturers started touting "100K miles without maintenance!"?..... that was followed by a truckload of stories about spark plugs seized in aluminum heads.

 

[shanksRX-1]

I change them yearly in my sled, quad, boat, 2 cars, and van, lawn equipment, etc... I dont think you will ever feel a power improvement from new spark plugs but a $4 part is never gunna last a lifetime and its cheap insurance. Kinda like changing the oil, checking fluids... Its just worth doing. Im gunna spend $35 on my first tank of gas on my first ride. Might as well spend $20 and 5min on new plugs once a year... . I tried the 10ek's but ended up switching back to the stock CR9E's this year. Its up to the individual. First thing I do when I buy used is change oil and plugs...