Hey,
What size socket did you use to change out your spark plugs? Is just a regular deep well socket going to do it, or is the fit too tight between the walls and the nut you have to grab on the plug itself? Any help getting it out is appreciated.....thank you, JIM

 

This one has me puzzled,too. I have tried metric and standard,both are loose on quad plugs,no idea why they are made different than regular plugs. I have been using a 3/4 deep well,still loose,but not as bad as the closest metric. Just take it easy taking it out,and make sure to put anti-sieze on the threads for easy removal later. If anyone else has figured it out,please let us know !!!

 

Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate it and will try it as soon as I cool down! : ) I can't get my Speed to start ever since yesterday. I had it standing on end for awhile while I was cleaning underneath and putting on my skid plates, but that couldn't have hurt anything; could it? Anyways, I am sure the plug is fouled by now, as I was pissed after a couple hours of messing with it last night and held the throttle wide open a couple times while I cranked it over hoping it would miraculously start. I smell gas real strong at the exhaust pipe, so I would guess it is fouled. Any help with something that would make my living hell easier is appreciated, as I am supposed to be at the track in 1 hour.........thanks, JIM

 

Okay....3/4 deep well socket won't fit down into the hole to even reach the spark plug. Do you have a magic socket or something? : ) This is really pissing me off.........JIM

 

Did it come with a spark plug tool in the factory tool case? I didn't know you were refering to a Cannodale,guessed I spaced out when I saw the 400ex in your sign on name !! My experience has been with a couple of Hondas and some Yamahas,so maybe my suggestion won't be any help. They do make special thin wall deep sockets,try a local auto parts store to see if it is the right diameter.

 

I use a 16mm deepsocket 3/8 drive.

 

I use a 5/8 spark plug socket with no problems. Definitely put some anti-seize on the spark plug, I used WD-40.

Here's an excerpt from an earlier post I did entitled "maintenance tips". Search it out if you're still having problems because a couple people had some good tips and tricks...

"Secondly, I went to pull my spark plug out to see if it was the 8,9, or 10. Well the spark plug is deep down inside the engine and my spark plug socket wouldn't grip the plug firm enough to bring it up out of the hole after I unscrewed it. So how was I gonna get it out of there? Fingers and Needle-Nose pliers wouldn't fit. My neighbor (a chevy mechanic) wandered into the garage and gave me a really cool trick! We took some rubber fuel line (maybe 5/8" diameter???), shoved it down the hole right over the top of the spark plug and the spark plug came right up on the end of the fuel line. Maybe I'm weird, but I thought it was a neat trick."

 

I have a magic socket[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] It's a 5/8 T handle with a 2-way swivel and a ruber ring inside that grabs the plug.

I'd tell you where to get one but I've had it for years and can't remember, and it doesn't have a brand name on it. I'll be glad to snap a picture of it if anyone wants one.

 

Hey, I found the magic socket online plug wrench Not exactly high quality but it works great.

 

Thanks for all the replies...I figured out that a 5/8" socket does the trick. Here is the problem that started all of this nightmare, quite simple actually; but I wanted to give everyone a heads up to avoid this. The $%#$#@!%^ dealer didn't charge the battery like they were supposed to!!!! The battery was able to crank over the motor, but not enough juice to fire it off. I jump started it from my Dodge Dakota and she fired right up...after I had cleaned the spark plug of course. Anyways, wanted to say thank you to all that spent time to help me out and help....today's ride at the MX track went great! The track was a mess, but there were a couple table tops that were jumpable. The Ohlins are very nice....the Speed jumps like second nature.....I am loving this quad.......JIM