Spark Plug replacement

[JPP]

Hey all.... Spring is about here (well, its a blizzard here in Kansas right now) and I am thinking about the mowing season.

I inherited a Craftsman rider with B&S 18.5hp Intek Vtwin motor last summer.
I cleaned out the carb, put on new air filter and new fuel filter.
Replaced the battery and sharpened bladed and lubed what needed it. I also put in 2 new Bosch Super Plus spark plugs.
Now the question...... manual says to replace the plugs every year. I know it's only a $5 thing to do, but is it really needed yearly? Seems every other mowing season would be okay.
Is there something I'm missing on one of these motors? Advice appreciated.

JP

 

[exranger06]

Replacing every year, even every other year, is excessive. I check the plugs once a year and replace on an as-needed basis only. I'm going on 3 or 4 years on the same plugs and they're still perfectly fine.

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: exranger06
Replacing every year, even every other year, is excessive. I check the plugs once a year and replace on an as-needed basis only. I'm going on 3 or 4 years on the same plugs and they're still perfectly fine.


I will usually check, clean and regap the plug(s) unless I notice some wear or there is an issue with operation.

 

[JPP]

Gotcha. That is what I was thinking too.
Didn't know if these motors ran through plugs and if
it was something I needed to be aware of.

JP

 

[JPP]

Forgot to say.....
Been using SAE 30wt oil. But, am going to switch to 10W30 Synthetic and Wix oil filter both changed at end of mowing season. I'll do a spark plug/air filter check and replace accordingly.

JP

 

[ATS-V]

In two-cycle every year or two. Usually you'll notice it starts run odd. On four-strokes I have machines that are going over 10 years and the plug is fine. I do keep a new plugs on hand should it need to be replaced.

 

[eljefino]

My OHV motors actually take the same spark plug as my volvo red block. Crazy, I know. I have three good used spares lined up and one in there. I've never seen a small engine plug with gaps eroded, rounded off ground prong, etc. They do foul on older motors but there has to be something else wrong to get that to happen. And sometimes if they foul you can warm up the engine on another plug then put the first one back in and everything's peachy again.

 

[WINO]

I wouldn't use a bosch plug in anything personally ymmv. Usuallt whatever they end up in fail at the most inoppertune time.

 

[JPP]

Originally Posted By: WINO
I wouldn't use a bosch plug in anything personally ymmv. Usuallt whatever they end up in fail at the most inoppertune time.


*** Hmmm, I've never had any issues when I have used them in anything. And its a riding lawn mower, so if it actually does have a spark plug failure I only have a 15 second walk back to the house! LOL

JP

 

[TFB1]

My '04 Honda engine is running it's original plug and likely will continue to do so for the foreseeable future...

I had a bunch of carboned up plugs from a old B&S that finally blew up... Cleaned those with a small pick and then ran them at full throttle for approx 30-45 seconds in the weed eater... Look almost new...

NOTE these plugs are much hotter than a 2 cycle engines requires, will probably burn up and/or damage the engine if ran for long periods...