Topic: cylinders missing

[jabbadeznuts]

My 550 is WAY down on power. I'll try to roll on when moving, it feels like it's choking for a bit then accellerates. Slowly. From idle, it will stall out. This leads me to believe that the air/fuel mixture is leaning out or becoming extreemly rich.

I took out the timing light to see if each plug was firing. 1 - firing like a champ. 2 - missing very often. 3 - seemed to be okay. 4 - missing every so often. The #2 exhaust pipe is pretty cold. #3 is only slightly warm. #s 1 & 4 are HOT.


I don't know what is going on at this point. Short of pulling the entire ignition system, I don't know how to go about troubleshooting.



On a side note, how the F*&k do you get the #s 2 and 3 spark plugs out!? I've tried an 18mm deep socket and it won't clear the cam housing.

[my78k]

My guess is possibly carb related only because of the firing problems not being related electrically. When was the last time they were cleaned? Do you have filters etc...

As for the plug thing...they are a #$%* unless you have the correct socket. It must be thin walled or it will never clear! Infact even with the thin walled ones they are a huge pain!!!

Dennis

[Tim.]

Odd thing about your socket - I just bought the first 18mm sparkplug socket I could find and it fit no problem.  I use a short 3 inch extension bar and the ratchet.

I put the extension bar on the socket and place it on the plug.  Then I get the ratchet on.  Loosen it, then remove the ratchet.  Finish removing the plug by hand.

Same for installing - I start it off by hand just holding the extension bar - ensures I'm not forcing it in cross-threaded.  Then I push on the ratchet and finish it off.

Removing the socket from the plug after installing is sometimes difficult - extension bar sometimes pulls out of the socket, but with a little wiggling, it comes free no prob.  I've never lubricated my socket (now that sounds just plain wrong) but I suppose that might help get the socket off the plug.


Aside from that, I have no idea why 2 and 3 would be cold.  You're not running pods are you?

[kghost]

Aside from that, I have no idea why 2 and 3 would be cold.  You're not running pods are you?

Yeah because only cylinders 2 &3 are affected by pods........

Try checking your points.

If they are good try swapping your coils.

Really the only way to trouble shoot a problem like you have is to go thru each of the basics.

Engine needs fuel air and spark to fire. (ideally at the right time)

Generally the air takes care of itself

That leaves fuel and ignition.

If you are sure that the ignition/ points are set correctly, gapped correctly, and the coils are producing proper spark then suspect your carbs.

If you can eliminate fuel or ignition as the culprit then its a bit easier to troubleshoot.

[hymodyne]

I'd check coil wire (blue and yellow) connections as well as grounds for the coils. also the connection to a power source (black/white)

plug thing, extension and a universal. after they're loose I unscrew them by hand.

hym

[Tim.]

Aside from that, I have no idea why 2 and 3 would be cold.  You're not running pods are you?

Yeah because only cylinders 2 &3 are affected by pods........

Try checking your points.

If they are good try swapping your coils.

Really the only way to trouble shoot a problem like you have is to go thru each of the basics.

Engine needs fuel air and spark to fire. (ideally at the right time)

Generally the air takes care of itself

That leaves fuel and ignition.

If you are sure that the ignition/ points are set correctly, gapped correctly, and the coils are producing proper spark then suspect your carbs.

If you can eliminate fuel or ignition as the culprit then its a bit easier to troubleshoot.

I wasn't suggesting that only #2 and #3 would be affected by pods - no need to roll your eyes.  I'm not stupid.  I was trying to identify any variables in this problem that could be unique to the symptoms - i.e. seperate air filters for each cylinder (pods) vs. a common source for all (air box).

Obviously the points/coils are the likely culprits, but pointing out the obvious is not my strength.

[ieism]

So 2 & 4 PLUGS are not sparking good......

but 2 & 3 pipes are not hot?     

It's unlikely that both your coils fail at the same time, and one failing coil (or a bad ground) would make 1&4 or 2&3 misfire.
Have you checked your points?
I would suggest doing a plug chop, especially on no. 2.  Since you mention testing it with a light, i assume you haven't looked at the plug yet. Maybe it's just fouled so bad (from running rich?) that it doesn't spark strong anymore. Have you done anything to the carbs recently that could make nr. 2 running rich?

[jabbadeznuts]

I swiched out the 2 & 3 plugs. I know I'm running rich, so no big suprize there. I messed around with points and it seemed to help some. I'm going to go by the dealership tomorrow and pick up a set of points and condensers.

[jabbadeznuts]

Oh.. I got the plugs out. I got a socket that was just a LITTLE bit shorter.

[crazypj]

Round up the usual suspects. Have the valves been adjusted? Is the timing correct? Carb synch?
PJ

[jabbadeznuts]

Just did the valves this weekend. Carbs aren't synched. They do need to be. Timing is good but I need to re-check.

[ieism]

Unsynced carbs should be most obvious at idle, and you say it stalls if you give it a little trottle right?

I'm not as much an expert as some on this site, but it doesn't sound like syncing your carbs will solve your problem. CArb nr. 2 would be my main suspect, perhaps you  can start looking there? If you've recently worked on the carbs, or have taken them off start there. Perhaps an airleak in the rubber boot? Or maybe it's just not adjusted as it should be?

[mrbreeze]

18mm deep socket 3/8 drive universal and 3" extension to get to middle plugs. After they are loose, use a piece of 3/8 fuel line to unscrew plug and also to restart.When the hose starts slipping....get your socket rig back in there........simple!!!

[mrbreeze]

BTW....when I first read this post,I thought someone ripped your cylinders off!!! Like raw pistons sittin there with a head on top!!!!

[Namba1032]

Yeah thats what I thought to lol that would have been an interesting story

[dusterdude]

Aside from that, I have no idea why 2 and 3 would be cold.  You're not running pods are you?

Yeah because only cylinders 2 &3 are affected by pods........

Try checking your points.

If they are good try swapping your coils.

Really the only way to trouble shoot a problem like you have is to go thru each of the basics.

Engine needs fuel air and spark to fire. (ideally at the right time)

Generally the air takes care of itself

That leaves fuel and ignition.

If you are sure that the ignition/ points are set correctly, gapped correctly, and the coils are producing proper spark then suspect your carbs.

If you can eliminate fuel or ignition as the culprit then its a bit easier to troubleshoot.

kghost,you`re a hoot.

[jabbadeznuts]

So, basically, I'm a freak'n moron. My timing was so far advanced (30+ degrees  ) that spark was happening WAY before the compression stroke.

I swaped out the points for good measure, as they were very worn, both on the block that the timing cam hits and the contact points themselves.