Proud new owner of an '02 400ex
Feb 9, 2007 | 07:32 AM
#1
Thread Starter
|
Trailblazer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Proud new owner of an '02 400ex
Hello everyone,
Last week I picked up my first Honda quad to replace a '96 Blaster that had served me flawlessly for 6 years. I do have a friend who already owns one, so I'm quite familiar with its characteristics and capabilities, hence I jumped on this one when I found it for only 2k!
That being said, I do have one question please. Given the totally recessed/hidden sparkplug, how do you guys make sure there isn't any dirt around the plug before taking it out? Any tips would be appreciated[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]
Thanks,
matt
Last week I picked up my first Honda quad to replace a '96 Blaster that had served me flawlessly for 6 years. I do have a friend who already owns one, so I'm quite familiar with its characteristics and capabilities, hence I jumped on this one when I found it for only 2k!
That being said, I do have one question please. Given the totally recessed/hidden sparkplug, how do you guys make sure there isn't any dirt around the plug before taking it out? Any tips would be appreciated[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]
Thanks,
matt
Feb 9, 2007 | 08:45 AM
#2
Range Rover
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Proud new owner of an '02 400ex
I usually just make my own assessment as to if it's clean enough and I just pull the plug. I think where the spark plug is located is not a place where you're going to get huge amounts of dirt caked up anyway.
If you are concerned about it, you could blow some compressed air around the head before pulling the plug. If it's really dirty I suppose you can hit it with some water when you wash it, just make sure you run the bike a little to dry up any water sitting there before you take the plug out.
If you are concerned about it, you could blow some compressed air around the head before pulling the plug. If it's really dirty I suppose you can hit it with some water when you wash it, just make sure you run the bike a little to dry up any water sitting there before you take the plug out.
Feb 9, 2007 | 09:09 AM
#3
Red Rider
Honda, accept nothing less!
Honda, accept nothing less!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,733
Likes: 1
Proud new owner of an '02 400ex
It you think the air cooled 400EX is bad, you should try a water cooled engine......where that plug is way down in there!
I pull off the wire and blow the hole out with compressed air. If I think it is really really bad in there, I would wash it out with a strong stream of water, then blow that out and of course make sure it is completely dry before removing the plug.
And, it's not that big a deal to just pull the fuel tank off when you want to change a plug. Saves me lot of agravation!
I pull off the wire and blow the hole out with compressed air. If I think it is really really bad in there, I would wash it out with a strong stream of water, then blow that out and of course make sure it is completely dry before removing the plug.
And, it's not that big a deal to just pull the fuel tank off when you want to change a plug. Saves me lot of agravation!
Feb 9, 2007 | 01:43 PM
#4
Pro Rider
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
Proud new owner of an '02 400ex
You would be mistaken if you think dirt can't get down around the spark plug. I sure agree with previous comment about making darn sure plug area is CLEAN. Use genuine Honda plug wrench. If jetted correctly a plug will last years on a 400 Hon. Many problems result from pulling plug due to hard starting when the plug isn't the problem at all, the hard starting is usually related to stale gas. So if your ride has been sitting more than a few weeks always drain float bowl and start out with fresh gas.
Feb 9, 2007 | 02:08 PM
#5
Thread Starter
|
Trailblazer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Proud new owner of an '02 400ex
Thank-you for the advice. I didn't think about spraying water to force out the dirt, then running it to evaporate the water....that sounds like a pretty darn good idea. One more question, if you tip these on their tails, should you drain the float first to keep fuel from going into the air filter? I noticed my Blaster would leak gas if I didn't drain the bowl and was wondering what anyone else has experienced.
Feb 9, 2007 | 04:21 PM
#7
Shed Knocker Rider
Harley Punk!
Harley Punk!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 35,876
Likes: 2
Proud new owner of an '02 400ex
I don't see why I would ever tank the gas tank off to change a plug on a 400ex, but blowing the dirt out with compressed air is about the only way to get loose dirt out.
As far as tipping it up on the grab bar, yes just turn the fuel off and let the fuel in the carb run out the overflow.
As far as tipping it up on the grab bar, yes just turn the fuel off and let the fuel in the carb run out the overflow.
Trending Topics
Feb 12, 2007 | 12:26 PM
#8
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Proud new owner of an '02 400ex
Don?t mean to overpost, but what about the plug wrench. We?re new to 4 wheels and every wrench I have will not fit down in the head. I can believe this design. I have wrenches that work on Huskys, GasGas, KTM, RM?s, YZ, even CR?s, but none will fit down in this head. Can someone tell me if thay had to get a special wrench and what kind and where. Went to the local Honda dealer and the kid behind the parts count didn?t have a clue and this shop is a major player with National AMA MX and SX teams. Go figure.
Thanks and again sorry for the overpost, but it may help others too.
Thanks and again sorry for the overpost, but it may help others too.
Feb 12, 2007 | 01:32 PM
#9
Range Rover
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Proud new owner of an '02 400ex
the honda wrench is really thin because it's made from stamped metal. Unless you grind down an deep socket it's the only way to get to the plug. Aftermarket companies sell them for more money but you can buy the OEM tool kit for your bike from the dealer for $18, that has the wrench in it.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)