KE175 plug question. Edit: I think the bigger problem is the mouse nest I just found in the intake manifold.

"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
07/10/2016 at 18:38 • Filed to: Finger count: 10

Hi Oppo. Could someone knowledgeable in the art of reading spark plugs give me an idea of how this is doing? It’s from a 1972 Kawasaki KE175 oil injected two stroke dual sport that hasn’t run in years. Thanks.

Carbon deposit?

DISCUSSION (21)

bob and john > The Lurktastic Opponaught
07/10/2016 at 18:42

shits black yo.

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/attachm…

HammerheadFistpunch > The Lurktastic Opponaught
07/10/2016 at 18:42

Looks like it’s running rich

The Lurktastic Opponaught > bob and john
07/10/2016 at 18:48

Great link, thank you.

Berang > The Lurktastic Opponaught
07/10/2016 at 18:48

Fouled. Has it been run at all? Or was that just how you pulled it out?

If you want to know more you can clean it off and check the electrodes for possibly more clues.

Sam > The Lurktastic Opponaught
07/10/2016 at 18:49

Not well. Probably rich, since that’s carbon from the excess gas in the cylinder.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Berang
07/10/2016 at 18:51

Hasn’t run. That’s the condition when I pulled it a few minutes ago. I’m following MonkeyPuzzle’s advice and giving the entire bike a very thorough cleaning before I start anything else.

Berang > The Lurktastic Opponaught
07/10/2016 at 18:59

Give it a spray with carb cleaner and get the carbon off.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Berang
07/10/2016 at 19:01

Ok, but I suspect that I’ve got bigger issues afoot. The motor won’t turn over in neutral via the kick starter.

Berang > The Lurktastic Opponaught
07/10/2016 at 19:02

Like the kickstarter doesn’t engage? Or like the engine is stuck?

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Berang
07/10/2016 at 19:04

Stuck. The kickstarter engages and stops at the top of its range. I’m trying to get a look inside the plug hole so look at the condition of the top end. I need to grab a better light.

Berang > The Lurktastic Opponaught
07/10/2016 at 19:07

It’s a 2-stroke right? Just remove the head.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Berang
07/10/2016 at 19:07

Top end is dry and carbonized but doesn’t look rusty. Can I add some sort of penetrating oil to the top end and let it soak? What was it that David Tracy added that knackered his engine? I’d rather not repeat that.

Berang > The Lurktastic Opponaught
07/10/2016 at 19:11

Oil is fine. I wouldn’t use any crazy chemical concoctions. But if the exhaust port is not covered by the piston, it will just run out. If you take the head off you can see what’s going on. It’s only held on by four bolts probably.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Berang
07/10/2016 at 19:23

I’m working on that and a beer.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Berang
07/10/2016 at 19:26

Kinja'd!!!

Berang > The Lurktastic Opponaught
07/10/2016 at 19:37

Ok. So you can fill that with WD-50 or liquid wrench or whatever and let it sit for a couple days.

Pull that mouse nest out of the intake next. Do these engines have a reed valve or piston port intake?

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Berang
07/10/2016 at 19:45

30 weight oil is already onboard. Rotary valve.

Berang > The Lurktastic Opponaught
07/10/2016 at 19:53

That oil might not be light enough to get in there and free anything up.

Let’s hope the rotary valve kept mouse dirt out of the crankcase.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Berang
07/10/2016 at 19:56

If it doesn’t free up in the next few days, I’ll try another option. Thanks for the advice. I’m actually glad the piston is stuck with the find of that mouse nest in the intake.

Birddog > The Lurktastic Opponaught
07/10/2016 at 21:06

Oil fouled. 2 strokes dont run like 4 strokes though. The plug will always look “dirty”.

It was probably run at too low of an RPM for an extended period.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Birddog
07/10/2016 at 21:09

Thanks. That’s what the clymer manual seemed to indicate, but I wanted to make sure there wasn’t something I was missing.