The Honda PCX / Forza / ADV150 / SH Forums

I am preparing for the 5k mile service. The only replacement part is the spark plug. I am assuming it's just the one since it is a single cylinder.

5k miles seems a short life for a spark plug, does it really need replacing?

outlander wrote:I am preparing for the 5k mile service. The only replacement part is the spark plug. I am assuming it's just the one since it is a single cylinder.

5k miles seems a short life for a spark plug, does it really need replacing?

No

outlander wrote:I am preparing for the 5k mile service. The only replacement part is the spark plug. I am assuming it's just the one since it is a single cylinder.

5k miles seems a short life for a spark plug, does it really need replacing?

Tbh, I have not taken my plug out yet and I have just over 8900 miles on it. It runs fine and doesn't behave as if the plug needs to be changed. I'll probably check it around 10k. It's not a 2 stroke, so I'm not terribly worried about plug fouling.

outlander wrote:I am preparing for the 5k mile service. The only replacement part is the spark plug. I am assuming it's just the one since it is a single cylinder.

5k miles seems a short life for a spark plug, does it really need replacing?

I changed mine at 10000 miles--it was a difficult operation because of the angle at which you have to address the plug with your plug wrench. However, and I hope so for your sake, maybe your machine is not set up quite the same as my 2013 model.

Change the plug.

Honda wants your machine to last a long time and run great while doing so. They want you to check the plug to see how the engine is running, and for the effort you may as well change it as its cheap insurance. Keep it running perfect and it will last a lot longer than running "well."

Some people would rather save $150 on oil/plugs/air filter/grease because it's immediate verses saving the cost of a new machine (plus gas savings) due to it running twice as long. Your choice, mine is to have a low Total Cost of Ownership.

The SM actually states to inspect and clean the plug at 5K. But here's the plug if you want a new one.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001R ... UTF8&psc=1

honkerman wrote:

outlander wrote:I am preparing for the 5k mile service. The only replacement part is the spark plug. I am assuming it's just the one since it is a single cylinder.

5k miles seems a short life for a spark plug, does it really need replacing?

Tbh, I have not taken my plug out yet and I have just over 8900 miles on it. It runs fine and doesn't behave as if the plug needs to be changed. I'll probably check it around 10k. It's not a 2 stroke, so I'm not terribly worried about plug fouling.

Exactly. That plug looked fine for another 20k.

There's no great change in physics happening in the PCX engine. Car plugs are usually changed at 80k but have a in use life of twice that. Given that small single cylinder engines can be harder on plugs quartering it to 20k to be ultra ultra cautious doesn't seem unreasonable.

you you wrote:

honkerman wrote:

outlander wrote:I am preparing for the 5k mile service. The only replacement part is the spark plug. I am assuming it's just the one since it is a single cylinder.

5k miles seems a short life for a spark plug, does it really need replacing?

Tbh, I have not taken my plug out yet and I have just over 8900 miles on it. It runs fine and doesn't behave as if the plug needs to be changed. I'll probably check it around 10k. It's not a 2 stroke, so I'm not terribly worried about plug fouling.

Exactly. That plug looked fine for another 20k.

There's no great change in physics happening in the PCX engine. Car plugs are usually changed at 80k but have a in use life of twice that. Given that small single cylinder engines can be harder on plugs quartering it to 20k to be ultra ultra cautious doesn't seem unreasonable.

X2.. but for a couple bucks , and some DIY experience it can be psychologically rewarding. My motto if it feels good ..do it !!

It is weird that I purchased that particular plug on Amazon back in 2015, but when I went to that link Homie gave us above there was a notice that said that it would not fit my PCX. What??! Excuse me, but I have one of those in my wife's bike and it runs great. I have to wonder if amazon is having some problems.

Mel46 wrote:It is weird that I purchased that particular plug on Amazon back in 2015, but when I went to that link Homie gave us above there was a notice that said that it would not fit my PCX. What??! Excuse me, but I have one of those in my wife's bike and it runs great. I have to wonder if amazon is having some problems.

Amazon and ebay compatibility charts are to be mostly ignored for motorbikes. If I tuned down every SM recommendation for the Buell by online compatibility charts I would always end up at Harley paying a hundred bucks minimum for everything

you you wrote:

honkerman wrote:

outlander wrote:I am preparing for the 5k mile service. The only replacement part is the spark plug. I am assuming it's just the one since it is a single cylinder.

5k miles seems a short life for a spark plug, does it really need replacing?

Tbh, I have not taken my plug out yet and I have just over 8900 miles on it. It runs fine and doesn't behave as if the plug needs to be changed. I'll probably check it around 10k. It's not a 2 stroke, so I'm not terribly worried about plug fouling.

Exactly. That plug looked fine for another 20k.

There's no great change in physics happening in the PCX engine. Car plugs are usually changed at 80k but have a in use life of twice that. Given that small single cylinder engines can be harder on plugs quartering it to 20k to be ultra ultra cautious doesn't seem unreasonable.

At 7K miles, the plug that came out of my Elite 110 was quite worn. The manual calls for 5K replacement on that bike.

Remember, our engines run at 10000 rpm and many car engines run at less than 2000 rpm.
But you can of course go ahead and save 7$ and see how long it will last. Don't be surprised though if your spark will become weaker and cause occasional misfires, damaging the head gasket, breaking the piston, connecting rod or a valve. You might also develop carbon build up due to incomplete combustion, greatly reducing the life of your catalytic converter, piston rings and the cylinder head.

When you find an increased engine oil consumption, remember that one of the reasons was leaving the worn plug in the engine against manufacturer's advise. Please do no blame anyone but your own decision to save $7 on a new spark plug.

The sky is falling!

If you buy an expensive spark plug with platinum or etc plating be sure to NOT use a feeler gauge to check or alter its gap or you’ll scratch the plating and render the plug’s life to the same lower mileage as a cheap plug. All it takes is one minor scratch on the thin plating.

I (hope to) learn something everyday. Thanks for that springer1

Spark plugs are cheap cylinder head repairs aren't.
Changing the spark plug risks damaging the cylinder head if you fcuk it up, so best done as infrequently as possible.
A plug will easily last ten to fifteen thousand miles in a PCX (or Forza)

A plug will easily last ten to fifteen thousand miles in a PCX (or Forza)

There are many different types of spark plugs but I don’t know what specific type the Honda factory installs in their PCXs. I wonder what the plug manufacturer’s spec says about that plug’s duration. When does Honda recommend the original factory type installed spark plug be changed?

When I had the Forza its last ever service was at 16,000 miles.
It might have got a new plug then.
The plug didn't get changed again.
It was sold with around 33,000 miles on the clock so the spark plug had done a minimum of 17,000 miles and may even have done the full 33,000.
Still ran as well as it did when new.

Honda PCX is fitted with a standard copper core NGK spark plug.

Honda PCX is fitted with a standard copper core NGK spark plug

Interesting - I can’t find a spec on the specific pcx plug, but some other NGK “copper core” plug specs say 30k miles! I donno what to think.

Standard spark plug for PCX 2017 and older: For "Longevity: 50k Miles", use NGK 9198 CPR7EAIX-9 IX Iridium Plug.
For new PCX 2018, use MR8K-9 standard NGK plug. So new can't find the product page for it.

Well, all I know is that the dealer looked at and cleaned the plug on my wife's 2013 bike at 10,000 miles. Then he put it back in and said it should be good for another 10,000 miles. It is still running great.