Stupid question alert. If I get a shock when grabbing and wiggling a plug lead near the plug (it is still securely attached to the plug, and the plug is securely in the engine). does that mean the lead is on its way out? Or is that normal, and its just a silly thing to do? Sent from my SM-N970F using Tapatalk
Do you get a shock when grabbing and wiggling all the leads? If you do it’s normal and definitely a silly thing to do.
It was easier for the spark to ground through you than jump the gap on the plug... the damp air about at the moment may well make it happen too
You trying to kill me again Geoff? Not going anywhere near a wiggle with those other leads, I stopped after wiggling just the one, that was enough! Sent from my SM-N970F using Tapatalk
You should know by now not to touch any of those little hoses, they’re full of magical stuff that make you jump.
Hmm you shouldn't get any shocks, I've done enough wiggling without any, just check the leads aren't perished of cracked Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk
A good way of checking whether you're getting a decent spark is to take the plug out and stick your tongue on it
Plug leads should not give you a shock unless they are cracked as @Milo-steel says - or it could be that they are damp but that would give rough running too - running the engine when it is dark often shows up faulty leads as there will be arcing which will be visible. I would put new leads on anyway.
OK, we've done it on all four leads. Three leads seem to be give no results, and the plug at No. 1 gave this result. Is that normal? Sent from my SM-N970F using Tapatalk
No , a sex change from a damaged HT lead certainly isn't normal but can my friend have your number ?? Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Clean the leads it could just be surface carbon deposits.. It might be worth unscrewing the relevant spark plug to check its insulation is not dirty too.
Sometimes though just having the lead lie against a bit of metal can be enough to get a small AC current to flow that produces a plasma glow that chars the wire in the end. Making it easier to get a shock .
I once went to stop a lawnmower engine, missed the springy plate that shorted out the plug, and instead touched the bare top of the spark plug. Well it certainly gave me a start and set me off on a couple of unplanned laps around the garden. I've never made that mistake again
Yep, you might be onto something Mike. It's number one plug wire, so sits directly below the air hose and pre-heat valve. I've just realised that a few years ago I attached the hose to the pre-heat with a large metal ring clamp.... And that metal clamp is about 20mm from the plug wire. I bet over time its had the odd bounce related whack, perhaps weakening it or something. Theres a tiny weeny black mark of the clamp, either from dirt from the wire or little spark attacks. The plug itself looks fine I believe? Perhaps a touch on the lean side? (VIEWS PLEASE. ) So am going to check and test the wire now. And then reinstall it all better.... without the clamp. Sent from my SM-N970F using Tapatalk
