06 GL1800 Rough Engine

[kwputt]

During last weekends ride my GW developed a very rough engine and loss of power. The engine miss was most noticeable at low speeds, however I could tell it was there at highway speeds as well.
Short version of two days of head scratchin.
Removed the spark plug covers on both sides, waited till dark and started the engine. Waited two more days, laid out 88 dollars and spent three hours installing new plug wires.
Runs great, and this bike has less than 10,000 miles since new. #5 plug wire had a hole burnt clear through the boot at the spark plug. I suppose this little malfunction had the computer a bit confused.

 

[Papa Zook]

Thats weird with just 10k miles. Not sure Ive heard of that being a problem.

 

[skuuter]

Never heard of this either.....a little "grabbin' at straws" here, but there isn't something metal and grounded close enough to the wire to make it try to arc to it is there....."just askin".....ThumbUp

 

[kwputt]

All is clear around all of the boots skutt. My guess is that it has been defective to some degree from the get go. Since it was going to be a three hour job i decided to spend the extra 45 bucks and replace them all while i had it scattered all over the shop. Just thought i would post my experience in case another gw owner has a similar problem.

 

[Ol' Grey]

Grasping at straws here, too.......is it possible that the boot for the #5 plug wasn't fully snapped onto the spark plug and instead of the spark plug firing inside the combustion chamber, maybe it was arcing between the inside of the boot and top of spark plug causing it to burn the hole thru the boot ?

Whatever the cause, glad you got it fixed and shared that info for others.......

Ride Safe........