Showing posts with label Spark Plugs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spark Plugs. Show all posts

Thursday, January 16, 2020

EZ-RIDER - Spark Plugs **REDUX** [Solved]



Top Tip:  Use the Right Sized Socket


 My first attempt to remove the spark plugs in EZ-RIDER ended in ignominious failure, with the spark plug socket I had purchased as part of a generic socket set completely the wrong size.  
As it turns out, a 16mm thin wall socket is required to fit in the tight places of the 1997 Honda Magna VT250CR motorcycle engine, and I simply didn't have the right socket!  The socket that came with the set I bought was totally the wrong size...it was 21mm!  Not even close!

 So, after a little bit of a search on Amazon, I found the right socket - then I had to wait.

 Once the socket arrived, I was able to get to work.

 So I took the two spark plugs:

The copper grease:

And the 16mm thin wall socket:

and brough them all together to change out the spark plugs!

Post Install Comments:


 Changing the spark plugs was actually pretty uneventful in the end.  

 - The REAR spark plug is very easy to get at.  

 - The FRONT spark plug is not easy to get at.  You need to remove the radiator, which is a big job.  I should have also removed the lower radiator mount as well, because it got in the way and for the little bit of extra work I should have removed it.  But, in the end, the plugs were changed in under an hour. 

Old Spark Plug Condition


 For those who are interested, here's what the old spark plugs looked like:









REAR spark plug, FRONT spark plug

Lizard!


 Though it has nothing to do with changing spark plugs, one of the highlights of the job was the lizard that's decided he's going to live in EZ-RIDER, and who made it clear that this bike was his now!

The lizard shows up a couple of times when I put the REAR spark plug and its boot back in, and I took some still shots that appear at the end of the video.

 Enjoy!

Help a Maker Out?


 Did you see anything in this video you want for yourself?  If the answer is yes, consider using one of the link(s) below to buy it directly from amazon.com.  When you do, I get a small commission that helps me to keep going!

Bill of Materials

NGK (5666) CR8EH-9 Standard Spark Plug, Pack of 1
https://amzn.to/2Sb1Ocj

 LA-CO EZ Break Copper Grade Antiseize Paste, 1800 Degree F Temperature, 10 oz Jar with Brush in Cap
https://amzn.to/2PerUZZ

 Sunex 884504 3/8-Inch Drive Thin Wall, Metric, Spark Plug Socket, CR-MO
https://amzn.to/2MflpEq



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Friday, November 8, 2019

VT250CR: How To Prepare for An Oil Change and Putting in New Spark Plugs


VT250CR - Oil Change and New Spark Plugs

Preparing the EZ-RIDER for its first oil change turned out to be a pretty difficult task.

This is because of the following factors:
  1. I was totally new to this motorcycle
  2. It didn't come with an owner's manual (Found one!  See below) 
  3. It didn't come with a service manual (Found one!  Click here)
  4. It is 22 years old and information about it is starting to disappear.
  5. It is not a popular displacement (250cc) compared to others (750cc)
  6. It is relatively rare, having mostly been sold (apparently) in Japan and the UK.

Without an owner's manual, it was nearly impossible to research even the most basic things about the VT250CR, like what parts were needed to perform a service maintenance that included changing the spark plugs and changing the engine oil and oil filter.

Thankfully, I was able to find an online user manual for the VT250C early on in this process. as well as a bunch of online resources that I hope to share in this post.

In the end I was able to answer all of my questions, which were:
  1. What is the Size and Location of the Oil Drain Plug?
  2. What is the Size and Location of the Oil Filter Housing?
  3. What Type of Oil Filter Should I Use?
  4. What Type of Engine Oil Should I Use?
  5. How Much Engine Oil Should I Use?
  6. What Type of Spark Plugs Should I Use?
While searching online for information, I found a really useful diagram online that showed an exploded parts view of the 1997 Honda Magna VT250CR oil pan, as well as links to all of the parts:

What is the Size and Location of the Oil Drain Plug?


Part #23, the Oil Drain Plug on the 1997 Honda Magna VT250CR is located, logically enough, on the very bottom of the engine.

It is a 12MM bolt:

 Here's the diagram from the Online Owners Manual I found:

What is the Size and Location of the Oil Filter Housing?


Part #11, the Oil Filter Housing is also located on the bottom of the engine, adjacent to the Oil Drain Plug.  I modified the above drawing to show where it is:

It is held in place by Part #14, the oil filter bolt (15420-KE8-000).  The oil filter bolt is specialized and its head is 12mm in size.


What Oil Filter Should I Use?


Part # 29, The Oil Filter (15410-KEA-305) looks like this:

Here's how it sits in the Oil Filter Assembly:


Wait!  What About the O-Rings?

It's important to note that when you change the oil, there are two o-rings that also need to be changed.  

Part #22, the Large O-Ring (91315-MA6-003) fits inside the lip of Part #11, the Oil Filter Cover (15411-KE8-000).


Part #19, the Small O-Ring (91302-377-000) fits on the Oil Filter Bolt (15420-KE8-000).

Here's their location in the assembly:


What Type of Engine Oil Should I Use?


According to the online VT250C user manual I found (thank you!) the proper Engine Oil for EZ-Rider, given the fact that the temperature in Hong Kong ranges from about 10C to 40C, is any one of the following:

  • 10W40
  • 15W40
  • 15W50
  • 20W40 
  • 20W50
Why are there so many choices?
Because motor oil is a highly engineered product designed to behave differently when it is hot or cold.  There are entire articles devoted to how to choose the right motor oil.

In my case, because the engine rings are almost certainly worn, causing the motorcycle to "burn oil", I will use a thicker oil because it will probably slightly reduce my oil consumption:


Because EZ-Rider is "burning oil", I will probably go with a 20W40 or perhaps even a 20W50.

How Much Engine Oil Should I Use?

According to the online VT250C user manual I found, the proper amount of engine oil to add after an oil and filter change is 2.1 liters

What Type of Spark Plugs Should I Use?

According to the online VT250C user manual I found the right kind of spark plugs for the VT250CR is NGK CR8EH9, which are factory gapped to .9mm:

That's it!  All my answers found.  

I can now buy my parts and service EZ-Rider.

Thanks!

To see how the oil, filter and spark plug change went, visit my YouTube Channel and take a look around.  I have recorded dozens and dozens of videos about rescuing EZ-Rider, a 1997 Honda Magna VT250CR that you might find educational and entertaining.
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