Issue removing standard NGK spark plug.
 

I am having issues w/ my GZ, won't start. I got caught in a severe downpour and had to let the bike sit out overnight. When I got the bike back home I tried starting it several times, using the starter, cranks nicely. It appears that the battery (new) is still strong and even trying to push start doesn't matter. I figured I hosed the plug trying to start the bike so many times, so I stripped the bike to get to the plug (DR8EA) but I'm finding that the Suzuki provided tool does not fit plug. According to the plug specs a 11/16 socket should also work but it too is just a smidgen to
small to remove the plug.

Other than trying a different socket, anyone have any suggestions?

Appreciate any help in advance!

chandlerbingfl

If the suzuki socket do not fit min somebody use the incorrect spark plug

18mm thin wall socket. ;) :)

Yup

And a deep one at that... and even then fitting the head of the socket driver in can be a pain :P

Thanks guys!

chandlerbingfl

NGK replacement issues
 

Well I finally got my 18mm socket and just wanted to post the details. When I removed the original plug it felt very hard to not only loosen, it but to get it out of the spark plug hole. When I went to put a replacement plug in I could only use my fingers for a turn maybe just a bit more. Moving onto the socket if felt hard to twist it into place so I stopped.

Other than removing the head is there any way to tell if the threads are the issue? The plug threads look ok I think...

Here is a picture of the original plug.

Thank you in advance!
chandlerbingfl

That first thread looks slightly stripped. If it jumped a groove, then each time it turned as it was being spun in last time probably regrooved the head threads.

If this was a car, I would say just get a long-life spark plug and thread that sucker in there as best you can and live with it... but this is not a car.

This isn't the end of the world though. Try cleaning it as much as you can first. It may be a piece of debris that's not allowing the new plug to go in. It could also just be rust. That plug looks worn, like what I would expect to see coming out of a lawnmower.

Some people will advise against this, but a single pass with a wire brush can't do much harm. After that, vacuum out the port hole and try again. A little spark plug thread grease can't hurt either.

If the threading isn't really all that bad, just keep trying to thread your new plug a slightly different angles. At some point, it may catch the original groove and you'll be good to go.

Thank you for the reply and suggestions! I am leery using a wire brush so I'm going to skip that for now. What concerns me is I can start threading the new plug using my fingers about a turn or two. I can see the threads on the plug and they don't look angled at all, Also when I use the socket it feels like it takes to much torque to comfortably turn. I even put a bit of oil on the new plug threads and that made no difference.

I'm going to see if I can "see" the threads in the head and go from there.

I definitely appreciate you help!
chandlerbingfl

ad grease to the wire brush so the debris stick to the brush and after cleaning the tread crank the engine to blow true the spark plug opening