Quick question... I ride a 2003 400ex. My spark plug boot keeps coming off of my spark plug, especially when I come down off any jump or come down from a wheelie... I'm in a race on Saturday, and I can't have that thing coming off in the middle of the race. Does anyone know of any "quick fixes" on this, or has anyone had this problem before? Also, when I do replace the boot, am I going to be able to replace only the boot, or do I have to replace the boot, and the wire.. How easy is it, and how much will it cost me????? Thanks for any input.

 

I would try to reach up inside with some needle nose pliars, and squish the metal where it contacts the nipple on the top of the plug. Might make it tighter.

 

Good call... I tried that from the outside with a pliers but I couldn't get it from there. I'll try that in the daylight tomorrow. If that doesn't work, should my local dealer have the parts on hand?

 

By the way what will happen if you don't have a boot...

 

NKG makes universal replacement boots in resistor type and non resistor type. Cut off the old one with pliers, the new one screws onto the end of the wire. I've done this on my sled and they work great. You need to have a boot there, if not the spark will discharge from the open metal to the frame and you'll have no spark on the spark plug.

 

I know www.denniskirk.com has them and they are way cheaper then if you bought it from the dealer.

 

You could try and put a plastic zip tie or 2 around the boot. Also a dab of silicon would help to hold it on but still allow you to pull it off.

 

After staring at the boot and my spark plug and trying different things for about 3-4 hours the other night, I unscrewed the little cap on the back end of the spark plug and found out that the sparkplug actually screws into this boot. I'm not sure if it is a factory boot or what (I bought the bike slightly used). But, I screwed the spark plug back into my four wheeler, pulled the wire out of the back of the boot, screwed the boot onto the spark plug, and pushed the wire back into the back of the boot... Now it works great!! I don't know if anyone else has had this problem, or if I'm just an idiot.. Does anyone else have an ex with a yellow spark plug boot about 3 to 4 inches long??