increased engine noise

[hal888]

Hi everybody. I'm relatively new to scootering and to MB, but I'm really enjoying both.

I'm also new to the routine maintenance part of scooting. This last weekend, I changed the spark plug for the first time, at 2,000 miles. I expected a quieter / smoother engine, but instead I noticed an immediate increase in engine noise. I have no reference point or comparison, and this might be completely normal. The old plug looked OK, with a nice brown color. The new plug is the exact same plug type that I picked up at the local Honda dealership.

The 170i was never particularly quiet, with a somewhat lower rumble than other scooters I've heard. Now it is quite a bit louder, though it seems to run fine and accelerate as before. I haven't been out riding enough to see if there is a big change in mileage.

It would be great to hear that this is normal, but perhaps there is something that needs to be checked.

[skully93]

Only think I could think off offhand is if you gapped it correctly and reseated the plug wire firmly? I've heard they need to be pushed on there with slightly more gusto than one would think, but that is secondhand info so take it with a grain of salt.

[easy]

hard to answer without knowing your mech skills i would put old plug back in they last longer than 2000 maybe heat sitting is different. hopefully you aint stripped out the treads. general rule of tumb is ticking=valves rumbling=bearings poping from exhaust=lean condition usually lose exhaust bolts or crack in exhaust pipe

[hal888]

Your comments led me back to the bike. I was just outside trying out different plugs. I think it sounds better now. As best I can tell, I didn't tighten up the plug enough, and maybe this lead to some blow by and extra sound.

[viney266]

Yes, that would do it, and what I was going to suggest you check. ...sounds like you got it