The Honda PCX / Forza / ADV150 / SH Forums

the manual says 5000 miles does it realy need to be replaced so often?

Not if your bike is running ok

If manufacturer's scheduled the replacement of a part at the point it has typically failed....there'd be a lot of complaints from owners and reviewers.
You could run an engine a long time with no oil changes before you'd see signs of failure. But that is no argument for re-writing the service schedule.
Is it that difficult to change the $6 plug on a PCX?
Would take less than 15 mins on a Forza.
Fish

Well, they put a "port" in the plastics for changing the sparkplug, but as I understand it there is a problem with the frame being in the way of the socket needed to extract it. Some of the whisperer have been able to do it but most of us would have to take the plastics off to get to it. I haven't tried it personally, though it is now due. The bike is running fine so I may put it off a bit longer. There is some kind of secret to it, such as lifting the frame some, but I can't recall what was written at the thread that discussed it in depth.

A failing or burned-out spark plug on a small engine usually presents itself by causing the engine to become hard to start or allowing the engine to die at a stop light. This doesn't do any harm to the engine, just to the rider's confidence in the machine. Running the engine with ruined oil, on the other hand, is very harmful to the engine but doesn't present any symptoms as it fails.

I have way over 5000 miles on my PCX and haven't even thought about changing my plug. The first time it fails to start right up as soon as I touch the button or the first time it stalls at a traffic light I'll change the plug that day before I even look at anything else.

It's not an engine safety issue, though it's certainly fair to think of it as reasonable preventive maintenance.

Johnny

I always keep a spare (new) plug on hand just in case. . ..

I love these threads.

The reality is the sparkplug will probably outlast the scooter.

And some owners

Keep an eye on that sky though.

Gotcha! But Remind me, what am I looking for?

Mel46 wrote:Well, they put a "port" in the plastics for changing the sparkplug, but as I understand it there is a problem with the frame being in the way of the socket needed to extract it. Some of the whisperer have been able to do it but most of us would have to take the plastics off to get to it. I haven't tried it personally, though it is now due. The bike is running fine so I may put it off a bit longer. There is some kind of secret to it, such as lifting the frame some, but I can't recall what was written at the thread that discussed it in depth.

was pretty easy i used one of them swivel extensions

A quick search brought up 3 or 4 pcx spark plug change videos.
A couple of classic examples of how not to shoot a DIY video.....nevertheless there doesn't seem to be any great trick to it, or a need for special tools.
One video demonstrates the procedure while both mechanic and scooter are falling down a flight of stairs.
....if you give a mouse a cookie....or a gopro
Fish

Gotcha! But Remind me, what am I looking for?

A bolt of lightning from the Boss

you you wrote:
And some owners

Right again, you you

Johnny

I have 7k miles on my bike and was going to replace my plug earlier this week. It took 30 seconds to get access because they made a nice little access panel but once you get that open the plug is set back at an angle and the frame is in the way.

Getting it out at the angle isn't really an issue, it is getting the new one back in without crossthreading that is the problem and my hands are too large to fit in there to get it started

I wasn't in the mood to deal with it so I decided to hold off until the end of the season when I don't care if I have a few days downtime if it gives me problems

WhiteNoise wrote:Gotcha! But Remind me, what am I looking for?

The ground I'd hope..

took me like 2 minutees

eggman wrote:took me like 2 minutees

Me too. Piece of piss.