Do I have to remove the gas tank to change the plug?

[Guest Guest]

I picked up my new 426f a few days ago. There is too much snow on the ground (I'm in Denver) to do anything other than start the bike up in the garage. So last night it fired up first kick, today on the third kick. I let the engine warm up until the cylinder felt warm before pushing in the choke. As soon as I pushed in the choke the bike died and wouldn't restart. When I tried to remove the spark plug to see if I fouled the plug I discovered I couldn't lift the cap up far enough to pull it out of the way. Please don't tell me you have to remove the gas tank to change the plug. I hope it's just something thats not routed right under the tank that is in the way. Any ideas? The dealer said I would probably hate this bike the first month until i got used to it. I think he may be right.

[Sully]

Y2k bike you have to remove the gas tank not a whole lot but just move to where you can pop that plug out The 426 does not foul much from my experiance.don't wimp out just cause you have to do this look at those poor cannondale guys ?

[motoman393]

I saw the original cannondale at a track about 2 months ago and it looked like the thing ripped (i thought it was a black yz426)! Well the "new improved" cannondale is out and rumors are the thing rips!

My hat is off to the American bicycle guys trying to get into the MX market...I hope the Cannondale is as good as I thought it was going to be! Fuel injection in a dirtbike that is crazy...just think what cannondale could do with the YZ pumper carb on there (it sure would be alot less maintainence intensive)!

Garrett

------------------

I get my kicks on a 2001' YZ426!

Friendswood, TX

[Brettwhat]

No, the tank does not need to come off. I also have a 2001 YZ426F and have changed the plug several times. The cap will lift up just far enough to be removed but it must be pulled hard and towards the front of the bike. The cap has a rigid top half and a flexible lower portion. Once the rigid top portion has cleared the engine the rest can be bent over and then the whole thing removed. It's tight but can be done. It will seem much easier the second time you have to do it. Good luck! - Brett Whatcott

I picked up my new 426f a few days ago. There is too much snow on the ground (I'm in Denver) to do anything other than start the bike up in the garage. So last night it fired up first kick, today on the third kick. I let the engine warm up until the cylinder felt warm before pushing in the choke. As soon as I pushed in the choke the bike died and wouldn't restart. When I tried to remove the spark plug to see if I fouled the plug I discovered I couldn't lift the cap up far enough to pull it out of the way. Please don't tell me you have to remove the gas tank to change the plug. I hope it's just something thats not routed right under the tank that is in the way. Any ideas? The dealer said I would probably hate this bike the first month until i got used to it. I think he may be right.

[Flamed1]

I am glad that I am not the only one! First day out on my new 2001 YZ426 I attempted to get to the plug with no luck. I then removed the tank for access. This is a pain compared to my old 2-stroke. Is that plug deep inside the head or what?

------------------

Life is just a game and he who has the most fun wins!

[teamtoxic]

No, you don't have to remove the tank. Here's a few tips....

1. remove the coil from the frame, this will give you slack to work with the plug wire. It only takes the removal of 2 allen bolts.

2. when removing the cap, push it up into the cavity between the tank, radiator, and frame. There's a large gap there you can work with.

3. when you finally are ready to pull out the plug itself, keep the socket attatched to the spark plug. Pull it up and use the space between the tank, radiator, and frame to pull out the plug and socket together. This will take a fanagling, but you'll get the hang of it.

It took me about 2-3 times to perfect this method of removing the plug. The first time I tried to remove the plug, I thought I was going to have to remove the gas tank too. Now, I can completely remove/change a plug in less than 5 minutes. No problem for me anymore.

Hope this helps. If at first you don't succeed, try try again!

------------------

YZ 426's suck!(all the air they can get)

THROTTLE JOCKEY......because all golf courses should be motocross tracks!

[This message has been edited by teamtoxic (edited 02-13-2001).]

[Guest Guest]

Thanks to all of you for the tips. I found the plug wire to be too short to tip it towards the front of the bike. I'll try loosening the coil next time I have to pull the plug. That will be much easier than having to take off the seat etc. It looks like more snow is on the way. What torture to have a new bike and not be able to ride!!!

[SF]

Had a similar situation a couple of years ago with the 1st wr 400 on the block. The plug was fouled. No big deal, it takes about a minute and a half to get the tank off. Started right up with a new plug. (do you have the special wrench as supplied by the dealer with a new bike?) Start the bike up w/ choke, don't touch the throttle till it's warm and can run without the fuel enricher(choke). You'll be fine in no time.

[Shawbridge Husky]

Please also do not forget to air blast through the plug drain hole before removing plug. Otherwise you will get a free honing on your cylinder wall that you may not be fond of! ?

[Hick]

If done properly this will sometimes also pop the plug cap off ?