Ran into a problem that the kids 2007 90 Sportsman did not want to run. It had been sitting a few months, so I tried to fire it up. It did not want to warm up and run. After a while the battery died, so I put it back on to charge. The next day, it would not fire at all.

When I swapped out the plug, that is what I found. Those pics are after it sat in the sun a few hours and dried. When I pulled it out, it was almost like grease on the plug.

I bought this used a few years ago, and I don't remember if I changed the plug when I got it. I was used pretty hard because I found water contamination in the transmission fluid. But after flushing out all the fluids and getting the carb cleaned at the dealer, it has served me well.

I wonder if some of the gunk is from running Seafoam through it all the time.

 

Looks like you just waited too long to change the plug out. Especially if it's 8 years old.On any additive you don't want to use to much,especially any oil additive that says contains "petroleum distillates" which is nothing but a fancy word for kerosene. It can thin the oil too much and can cause blow by past the rings and oil up plugs.Even double dosing most additives for fuel doesn't hurt as much as some oil additives can.

 

No, I never run anything in the oil, that is just asking for trouble.

I am hoping its just I overlooked the plug when I bought it.

 

Did the same on an old push mower years ago,left the same plug in it for about 4 years or so,looked about the same as the one you pulled out.

 

At least that gives me peace of mind that there is nothing really bad going on.

Now if I could just find some upgraded shocks and tires. Kids will be happy for a few more years.