So I remember a couple of years ago I had a set of NGK spark plug's die on me after less than 500 km's. See this thread:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=34074
I recentily had my 1275 motor rebuilt, maybe 6 months ago. Turns out the guy who rebuilt it put in NGK's.
Anyway, this set of NGK's has died on me again (I think anyway).
I am going to replace them on the weekend just in case.

Other option is a bad batch of fuel, but I only use Vortex 98. I fill up every two weeks to drive to work and back. For the last couple of weeks it has seemed to be misfiring a bit when the motor is cold. Then I refilled on Tuesday this week (Was very close to empty, maybe 50kms left). Drove to a couple of places on Tuesday night and it started misfiring even worse. Wednesday morning the car wouldn't start.
I tried a second hand set I had in my toolkit, and the car started, but only just. Chances are this second hand set were not in good condition either though.

Anyone else had problems with NGK's recently?


Cheers
Jonesy

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Michael Jones
Minis In The Gong
[email protected]
www.minisinthegong.com.au

NGKs are usully a good plug, however it is possible you may have a dud one but unlikely to be a set.

Are the plugs the correct heat range for the engine spec. (could be too cold a heat range) and if it's running rich at all, the plugs can fowl very quickly from excess carbon (and that shorts the plug out). The problems you are describing running cold sound just like running very rich, perhaps from your choke.

I have recently come across some crook fuel. It appears to have started to seperate from sitting for too long. Maybe try filling from a different place / brand.

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michael where did you get fuel from?
mines been running rough as guts lately and i've narrowed it down to a fueling issue, although i havent had mine tuned properly so that is part of the problem

I had 2 NGKs go bad whilst cruising down to Wakefield Pk 5 years ago. I've run Bosch plugs since, no problems.
NGKs might be made in Japan, but some do fail.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Intermittent crook ignition lead?

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

I used to foul plugs all the time. For me it wasn't a silver bullet solution. Firstly I upgraded to electronic ignition and got good leads, a bad ign system can make plugs go belly up.

I found however it was mostly due to incorrect carb settings. I run a dellorto 45 and when running rich (plugs black) I found they died very often. lean it right up to nice white spark plugs and it should fix the problem.

Lastly I used to go through packs and packs od plugs on my old 1152 that had oil consumption problems, either the valve stems leaked oil or the rings were past their due date not sure, but plugs used to foul all the time on that thing.

Hope that helps somewhat.

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

When I pulled the NGK's out the other night, I noticed cylinders 1 & 2 are running a bit rich, so I might try to back that side off a bit.

wilo, I always buy mine out in corrimal its Woolies Vortex 98. Never had a problem with it before, and I've been using it for about 4-5 years.

The car has been running nearly every day for about a month, only thing I could think of is because I ran it almost to empty, if there was any muck floating on the fuel, it may have made its way down to the pickup, and into the filter, but it would have to pretty much completely block it, otherwise the fuel would still get through for short bursts.

I will stick some good plugs in it on the weekend and see how I go.
Thanks for the ideas guys, will give them a go.


Cheers
Jonesy

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Michael Jones
Minis In The Gong
[email protected]
www.minisinthegong.com.au

If the old plugs are just oil fouled, don't throw them away.
Heat the electrode up with a gas torch- the carbon etc will just fall off it, you have white electrode then and good to go.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I've just looked at mine, and they're similar. BLACK. Maybe 500km's, NGK BPES5's. My problem (see what I did on my Mini - yesterday) was that it started to break down and cough under load. I know it wasn't a lack of fuel - I know I was shooting flames out the back (I've had that feeling/experience before - wet coil HT connection, that time). I flooded the car the other day - first time I've ever flooded a Mini. Stopped after a 15 minute drive to pick up a mate, got back in, pulled the choke all the way out... Silly mistake made by force of habit (I don't drive it that often - it's normally frozen). Plus I probably run a little rich most of the time because I have a tendency to keep the choke on a fraction due to the idle being set a bit low (I didn't set it!). I should fix that.

Doc, any tips other than the torch..? I don't have a gas torch. All I've got's a BBQ, and I'm guessing that won't necessarily be the easiest to use, or the smartest (not if my wife catches me cooking spark plugs on it! ). Or should I just go buy a new set of BPES5's/W8DC's? $20 shouldn't break the bank...

Increase the heat range BP6ES/W7DC's, especially in winter.

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

I use oxy/LPG because I have it.
Sure, the BBQ will work for this, hold the plug body with vicegrips and get the end of the plug just above the blue flame. It won't hurt the BBQ.
Don't burn yer fingers..

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

G'day , I've been running NGK'S the whole time i've had my car ( approx 11 yrs ) and the only time i had any trouble with them was when my carbies were not tuned right, ie;
fouling up after too much idling, the plugs used to get very black, but since i've sorted the carbie's i've not experienced any drama's with the plugs.
But in saying that i am driving the car a fair bit more as well, as before i would only really get it out and run it around town but now i take it on a lot more longer runs out of town and it is doing it the world of good.

NHL 5 are hotter than 6 is that correct. And what should I use. I get misfiring on cold start. I have just added extractors manifold etc and have been finding it hard to tune the 1098 motor.

Currently running 6 but I have a full set of 5 spare.

All will have to wait for diff replacements though.

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Aussie Leyland, Aussie Factory, Aussie Mini S.

Graham Russell reckons you should use BP5ES for general road use with unleaded fuel.
BP's (or Bosch's, I can't remember which) website said the same, go 1 heat range hotter than standard for general traffic use with unleaded.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

while your at it can you check your fuel filter please

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It