Spark plugs

[rocky1966]

Hi I'm new to this site
I have a 2003 Fzs 600, with only 5,000 miles on clock, it looks and runs superb, but on starting today I noticed the 2 pistons, gear stick side, we're arcing from spark plug cap base to engine casing, what's causing this ?
Any info or help would be much appreciated, many thanks Roy

[mickvp]

sounds like you need to trim your leads a bit. if you trim about 1" off the leads and push the plug caps back on, it should sort it

EDIT

1". been smoking the funny fags I think. try just about 5-6mm at a time

[rocky1966]

sounds like you need to trim your leads a bit. if you trim about 1" off the leads and push the plug caps back on, it should sort it

Cheers mate, does the ht cap unscrew from lead ?

[mickvp]

sure do mate

1" is maybe a bit excessive thinking about it. I'm sure I got away with much less actually, try just taking 5-6mm and if its not enough take a second 5-6mm.

[Punkstig]

Before doing any trimming I'd suggest just giving the caps and around the engine a good clean using wd40 and some rags, make sure the ht lead is firmly screwed into the cap then a good dollop of thick grease around the Base of the caps before putting back over the plugs and try again- this time of year it'll be the damp causing these probs, very low mileage to think it'll be deteriation in the leads, but if it still arcs then go ahead with a little trim of the ht leads - only about a cm is needed!

[Gnasher]

sounds like you need to trim your leads a bit. if you trim about 1" off the leads and push the plug caps back on, it should sort it EDIT

1". been smoking the funny fags I think. try just about 5-6mm at a time

top

Before you start cutting.  Where is it arching at the lead/cap union or down the plug well?

Aching is normally due to either the ceramic isolator breaking down/cracking on the plug or a cracked cap, it is possible at the lead/cap union in which case trimming the lead should sort it. 

If it's down the plug well or you can see the spark leaping from the side of the cap.  Unscrew the cap on one of the the plugs that is aching and swap from one that isn't, now start the bike, see if the aching has moved it has it's the cap if not and the old plug is still arching it's the plug.

I would avoid cutting unless you really have to, the reason being the leads are bonded into the coils if you cut too much off you have to replace the coil :eek  also as pointed out if you do cut them only cut mm off at a time.

[rocky1966]

Cheers, cut 5mm off, now no arc, yippeeeeeeee