spark plugs are rusty

[Retroyz]

So I took my spark plugs out to check them for the first time in two year and they were real tight. Also, they were rusty (the body not the electrode). I will clean them up and put them back in with some anti-seize (they are the iridium plugs and in good shape yet). Is there a good way to seal the boots because otherwise the plug recess is just a place to collect water? I also noticed there is a small hole in the recess, is this for drainage? Last summer when I rode in heavy rain one or two cylinders would cut out-is this because of water collecting around the plugs?

 

[Steve83]

Poke a wire hanger or whatever you can find down those drain holes. They go all the way through the heads, and drain any water that gets into the spark plug recess.

 

[Retroyz]

I thought so. I am sure that is the cause of the rust and engine cutting out. Thanks.

 

[AApple]

If water is standing down in there, the drains are clogged. Do you have the stock boots that seal on the heads?

gwhed3

• AApple
• Jul 7, 2012

Drain holes.

As you can see on this head, one cylinder sealed well, while the other...not so much. This was because the front plug wire/seal was not pushed all the way down into the abyss. Make sure they are all the way down after clearing the drains, and you should be good to go from there. :good:

 

[mcgovern61]

I am not using the original stock plug wires. When I rode in heavy rain with the stock wires and boots, I would lose at least two cylinders and a lot of popping. Switched to regular wires and have driven in very heavy rains and never a problem.

 

[Retroyz]

Thanks for the answers, that helps a lot. Three of the four plugs are rusty so I definitely need to make sure those drains are clear and make sure the boots are seated well. Should I be thinking about replacing the plug wires, caps or even the coils for my '81 with 70,000 miles or will the stock ones last much longer?

 

[dan filipi]

Wires are a good idea to replace because the rubber gets hard and brittle over the years from age and heat and could leak spark.
Plug caps might be ok, look closely at them for any cracks but there are rubber boots on them also, I would replace them.

 

[Retroyz]

I used a clothesline wire and poked it into the drain holes then passed a light under the cylinders to verify they were cleaned out. You will not get a direct view of the light but if you use a bright light in a dark room you should be able to see some light through the drain hole. I will make extra effort to to be sure the stock plug seal is fully seated from now on.