One for the fuel guru's

[E74]

I can understand your frustration. I went through the same thing with the WR250F when it first came out (involving some looong pushs on some hooot days up in the Watagans ). It wouldn't run more than 30 minutes on Shell without fouling a $15 ubeaut plug (just long enough to get you deep down a single wheel track trail deep in the Watagans - Tojo's revenge ?. A change to Caltex, a couple of minor needle and jet changes, and then no probs .

I know some of the high performance (high compression) sports multi's have had similar 'teething' probs.

Good luck.

I had one of them that did exactly the same thing, pissed me of that much that I punted it and went and got a new 400 berg, Hhmmm..Much Better 

[Big John]

I had a similar problem years ago, running NGK B8EV plugs. I couldn't get more than 5hr out of them, changed to the B8ES which are heaps cheap and lasted forever.

[LWC82PE]

some have said the EGV  (NGK racing plugs in red box) have been suspect. these type have a gold palladium electrode. maybe the fuels are reacting with this metal? it doesn seem to happene everywhere as many people throughout the world use these plugs in PE's with no problems.

by the way, just because you foul a plug it doesn mean its rubbish and time for another one. just clean it and put it back in again and fix the problem that is causing the fouling. some people dont realize this and go through dollars woth of new plugs.

i have never had to replace a plug because it was causing a problem. Only reason i replace plug is part of service/maintenance procedure or for peace of mind to know 'its new'. One or 2 times i have had a faulty plug out the box and it was a loose insulator or loose center electrode, i cant remember.

These days iridium plugs fix many problems and are far superior to other basic $4 plugs or other top of the range platinum or racing plugs from 20/30 years ago.

[holeshot buddy]

check float level

[Freakshow]

Does your  KTM use a PVL ? if so PVL only suggests one plug type.

use that over any Ktm books spec, if its digital it needs a 500 ohm plug and if i remeber its a gv not a egv or somthing similar.

Was the bike pre delivered correctly ? as in is the earth on the coil on metal or is it not earthing propery somwhere under there and shorting out the plug only to re-earth properly when you mess about under there , then moves back to an unearth when its ridden over bumps etc again.

I like the thinking on the blocked carby pipe, come unstuck a few time on that one.  if the plugs not fouled then it could also be just ign problems, tell the dealer you want to borrow another coil and black box to eliminate it, my gut feel is there is a gremlin in the ign and its shorting plugs.   i know if i over rev my 360, particulaly if its in neutral trying to clean out the pipe, it kills my plug, it will missfire and wont rev out during a race, new plugs fine, and only ever happens if i over rev the dam motor, if i dont it goes for eva.

just some thoughts 

[Nathan S]

I think the problem with the higher octane pump fuels is the higher the octane the more additives they have these additves tend not to be carb friendly. I've seen a lot of bikes chewing thru plugs when run on high octane. These fuels are designed for fuel injected cars and don't work that well in carby motors. You can really notice when you pull apart a carb that has been run on Shell (VIC) high octane because of all the crap in the carb bowl.

Quoted for truth, but - like Lozza - I'd place more emphasis on the particular brand of fuel being used...

[090]

The word is that Caltex or Mobil (use the same fuel i think) are the way to go. That is what i use. BP seems okay as i have used it a couple of times myself. Stay away from Shell.

[asasin]

Have had same problem with 380 sx when trail ridden . if plug is race  egv etc then unless it is getting its beans it will foul up.

[evo550]

Problem solved...at least I think.

Dropped the clip down 1 notch on needle
ran 7 series plug (8 standard)
ran 96 octane fuel as manual recommends.Not 98
plus he had an extremely over oiled air filter ( three coats of molassis)
Went out to MX mountain on the weekend ran two days no probs.
The young fella's smiling again.
Thanks to all for help.

[dirttracker]

if that dont work you can allways buy the young fella a kx 65