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GA, USA
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Posted: 8/25/2011 6:56:12 PM EDT
[#1]
I filled the tank right off the bat, so it is not a fuel feed issue (or lack of fuel in the tank, anyway). Now that I don't have ignition due to the cheap-ass spark plug terminal receptacle however, I'll be trying out a brand new unit tomorrow.
Originally Posted By Gixxersixxer:
Originally Posted By marksmatter:
Picked one up today for $89, I think. I opted for the service plan. Got it unpacked, and gassed it up with the couple of 50:1 gallons I use for the leafblower. Unit ran well for a few minutes, and I threw a 500W light on it. I then went into the house. Once inside (I could still hear it), I noticed the pitch of the engine change and quit. I restarted it a couple of times, but each time it would quit after 20-30 seconds run time. On every start, the pull rope seemed to require a bit more force. After about three of these sessions, I put the unit back in the shed. I figured that perhaps my mix was bad as in I got the ratio wrong, because it is only a month or so old. I was planning to get some fresh gas and re-mix the oil and gas and start again. When the unit is going to quit, it gets noticeably louder for 5 seconds or so, and then dies. Does that sound like a bad mix? This was with zero load on it. Did you fill the tank or give it a splash? When I first tested mine I gave it a good splash and thought that was enough to last at least 30 minutes. The fuel line isn't really the lowest point as I found out. The unit ran fine for a few minutes then died, so I restarted and it ran fine again for a bit then died. I thought somehow the mix the was bad so I dumped what was in the tank and put in another mix. Same problem. After tinkering and getting it to run multiple times then die I noticed the generator ran longer when it was jostled enough to slosh the gas around. After that I topped off the generator and it ran fine for hours. |
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Posted: 8/26/2011 3:19:57 AM EDT
[#2]
If you have the service plan then just take it back for an exchange. That doesn't sound like normal behavior from these machines at all. I've run some REALLY questionable fuel in mine and it ran no different than the carefully mixed stuff with Tier 1 2 stroke oil.
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Posted: 8/26/2011 7:55:23 AM EDT
[#3]
Originally Posted By SeanTX:
If you have the service plan then just take it back for an exchange. That doesn't sound like normal behavior from these machines at all. I've run some REALLY questionable fuel in mine and it ran no different than the carefully mixed stuff with Tier 1 2 stroke oil. this. |
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GA, USA
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Posted: 8/26/2011 5:22:08 PM EDT
[#4]
Originally Posted By The_Beer_Slayer:
Originally Posted By SeanTX:
If you have the service plan then just take it back for an exchange. That doesn't sound like normal behavior from these machines at all. I've run some REALLY questionable fuel in mine and it ran no different than the carefully mixed stuff with Tier 1 2 stroke oil. this. My thoughts exactly. Two major issues is two too many with this unit. I'll report back on the progress with the new unit tomorrow. |
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Posted: 8/26/2011 8:00:28 PM EDT
[#5]
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Posted: 8/27/2011 11:58:41 AM EDT
[#6]
Gonna add one of these as a backup to my generator once the panic buying is done.
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Posted: 8/27/2011 2:42:02 PM EDT
[#7]
How did you manage to use a coupon with a sale price? I thought they don't allow that?
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FL, USA
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Posted: 8/27/2011 6:27:29 PM EDT
[#8]
Originally Posted By 35mm_Shooter:
How did you manage to use a coupon with a sale price? I thought they don't allow that? it all depends on the cashier, try to find the youngest looking one. I have had over a 70% success rate with combining 20% coupons on "sale" items, I have been caught a few times by some of the senior cashiers and the asst and store manager checking me out...refused to let me use the coupons. It's a crap shoot. Does not hurt to try. Hell, online you can use the coupon codes all day long with "sale" items. |
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GA, USA
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Posted: 8/27/2011 7:35:12 PM EDT
[#9]
Happy to report that I've got about 4 hours on the new unit I received today. I swapped the spark plug right off the bat, and also bought fresh 89 octane gas and oil. It initially ran for about 15 minutes under a 500W load and cut out after about 15 mins. I restarted it, and it stayed running smoothly for over 3 hours. Right now, I'm pretty happy with it. I don't think the OEM plug or my old gas mix was to blame for the crappy running of the first one, but I wanted to eliminate as many variables as possible.
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Posted: 8/28/2011 11:06:38 AM EDT
[#10]
Originally Posted By 35mm_Shooter:
How did you manage to use a coupon with a sale price? I thought they don't allow that? They changed the coupon at the start of 2011 –– much of this thread is more than a year old. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 8/28/2011 5:53:40 PM EDT
[#11]
Saw this thread pop back up so thought I'd give an update on my little genny which is over a year old now and has seen several weekend uses both camping and a trip to the coast night fishing. I didn't keep track of the hours on mine but would guesstimate maybe 100 hours total use. I always run mid octance fuel and use seafoam along with mercury outboard 2 stroke oil. Mine still starts within 3 pulls and has no loss of power. My idle isn't perfect at low load, it tends to lope a bit but other than that, no issues. I bought the extended warranty with mine but now am thinking that I won't be needing it after all. The little hf gennys are cheap and light and hard to argue with the price. I have no complaints with mine.
Although the little genny is handy, I have had times when I wished I had more watts to work with. Now that I have looked at alot of small generators, I think I am going to upgrade to the 2000 wattt 4 stroke champion when I can find it on sale somewhere. It is about half the price of the honda yet seems to get good reports and 2k watts would be nice when I want to run a portable ac unit or do some light mig welding, run power tools, etc. |
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Posted: 8/28/2011 6:11:16 PM EDT
[#12]
Originally Posted By Blackoperations:
Originally Posted By 35mm_Shooter:
How did you manage to use a coupon with a sale price? I thought they don't allow that? it all depends on the cashier, try to find the youngest looking one. I have had over a 70% success rate with combining 20% coupons on "sale" items, I have been caught a few times by some of the senior cashiers and the asst and store manager checking me out...refused to let me use the coupons. It's a crap shoot. Does not hurt to try. Hell, online you can use the coupon codes all day long with "sale" items. not anymore |
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Posted: 8/28/2011 9:04:48 PM EDT
[#13]
Originally Posted By oldrock:
Although the little genny is handy, I have had times when I wished I had more watts to work with. Now that I have looked at alot of small generators, I think I am going to upgrade to the 2000 wattt 4 stroke champion when I can find it on sale somewhere. It is about half the price of the honda yet seems to get good reports and 2k watts would be nice when I want to run a portable ac unit or do some light mig welding, run power tools, etc. That's an excellent choice - Plenty of folks are using the little Champion, and seem very happy with it. If you can tolerate a little more noise and weight, you might also take a look at the Champion 42431 - It's in the same power class (uses the same engine as the inverter model), and can be had on ebay for around $200, delivered. |
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Posted: 8/29/2011 11:36:07 AM EDT
[#14]
I bought the bigger 3500/4000 CPE gen last winter. Obviously much larger than the small HF units but so far rock solid. Probably 20-30 hours on it now.
No problem here recommending Champion generators. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 8/29/2011 7:44:07 PM EDT
[#15]
Originally Posted By The_Beer_Slayer:
Originally Posted By Blackoperations:
Originally Posted By 35mm_Shooter:
How did you manage to use a coupon with a sale price? I thought they don't allow that? it all depends on the cashier, try to find the youngest looking one. I have had over a 70% success rate with combining 20% coupons on "sale" items, I have been caught a few times by some of the senior cashiers and the asst and store manager checking me out...refused to let me use the coupons. It's a crap shoot. Does not hurt to try. Hell, online you can use the coupon codes all day long with "sale" items. not anymore cant use it on generators....but lots of other items. |
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VA, USA
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Posted: 9/9/2011 5:05:17 AM EDT
[#16]
I'm new to Gens, but my HF arrived and I will be breaking it in this weekend, As far as helpful hints from here, I have gleaned the following:
Make sure it runs first & breaks correctly under load. 89 octane, synthetic 2 stroke oil. Seafoam periodicallly. Don't store with fuel in it more than a 1 week+ Upgrade plug Did I miss anything? Has any one modded the Gen further? Larger tank? Better muffler/quieter operation? Etc? |
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Posted: 9/9/2011 7:54:20 AM EDT
[#17]
honestly on the noise issue it's quite enough it doesn't need modding.
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Posted: 9/9/2011 11:28:00 AM EDT
[#18]
got a flyer today....
parking lot sale oct 6-9th.... genny will be 79.99 |
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Posted: 9/9/2011 9:10:51 PM EDT
[#19]
Originally Posted By The_Beer_Slayer:
got a flyer today.... parking lot sale oct 6-9th.... genny will be 79.99 Email or print? |
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Posted: 9/10/2011 10:08:09 AM EDT
[#20]
print... no coupon.... tent sale
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Posted: 9/11/2011 7:16:23 AM EDT
[#21]
Originally Posted By oldrock:
Saw this thread pop back up so thought I'd give an update on my little genny which is over a year old now and has seen several weekend uses both camping and a trip to the coast night fishing. I didn't keep track of the hours on mine but would guesstimate maybe 100 hours total use. I always run mid octance fuel and use seafoam along with mercury outboard 2 stroke oil. Mine still starts within 3 pulls and has no loss of power. My idle isn't perfect at low load, it tends to lope a bit but other than that, no issues. I bought the extended warranty with mine but now am thinking that I won't be needing it after all. The little hf gennys are cheap and light and hard to argue with the price. I have no complaints with mine. Although the little genny is handy, I have had times when I wished I had more watts to work with. Now that I have looked at alot of small generators, I think I am going to upgrade to the 2000 wattt 4 stroke champion when I can find it on sale somewhere. It is about half the price of the honda yet seems to get good reports and 2k watts would be nice when I want to run a portable ac unit or do some light mig welding, run power tools, etc. You shouldn't use outboard 2 stroke oil in an air cooled engine. A water cooled engine runs cooler and doesn't get the hot spots an air cooled engine does. |
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Posted: 9/11/2011 5:45:47 PM EDT
[#22]
Originally Posted By GlockSlap:
I'm new to Gens, but my HF arrived and I will be breaking it in this weekend, As far as helpful hints from here, I have gleaned the following: Make sure it runs first & breaks correctly under load. 89 octane, synthetic 2 stroke oil. Seafoam periodicallly. Don't store with fuel in it more than a 1 week+ Upgrade plug Did I miss anything? Has any one modded the Gen further? Larger tank? Better muffler/quieter operation? Etc? What is Seafoam? TIA |
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CT, USA
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Posted: 9/11/2011 10:00:39 PM EDT
[Last Edit: cavgunner]
[#23]
Originally Posted By yipykyah_mf:
Originally Posted By GlockSlap:
I'm new to Gens, but my HF arrived and I will be breaking it in this weekend, As far as helpful hints from here, I have gleaned the following: Make sure it runs first & breaks correctly under load. 89 octane, synthetic 2 stroke oil. Seafoam periodicallly. Don't store with fuel in it more than a 1 week+ Upgrade plug Did I miss anything? Has any one modded the Gen further? Larger tank? Better muffler/quieter operation? Etc? What is Seafoam? TIA Its a petroleum based fuel additive. Guys use it in TBs and vac systems to clean valves, put it gas tanks to remove moisture and clean injectors stuff like that. Lots of fun when sucked in to the vac tree of a turbo charged car...comes in a spray and a pour bottle, bout 7 bucks a can. Good stuff. |
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Posted: 9/30/2011 10:23:22 PM EDT
[#24]
Got the HF flyer in the mail today.800/900 watt genny for $89.99. Flyer also has a 20% off coupon.
If anybody needs it, IM me. I'll scan it and email it to you. |
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Posted: 9/30/2011 11:27:13 PM EDT
[#25]
Originally Posted By yipykyah_mf:
Got the HF flyer in the mail today.800/900 watt genny for $89.99. Flyer also has a 20% off coupon. If anybody needs it, IM me. I'll scan it and email it to you. fyi the coupon specifically exempts generators. And they're having a sale next week for 79.99 - although I suppose it's possible prices vary by region. |
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Posted: 9/30/2011 11:29:50 PM EDT
[#26]
I got a flyer that says reg 149.99 on sale for 129.99....
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Posted: 10/2/2011 11:57:06 PM EDT
[Last Edit: hanau]
[#27]
Originally Posted By slappomatt: I got a flyer that says reg 149.99 on sale for 129.99.... click on this it shoud take you to the flyer October Parking Lot Sale Oct 7 - Oct 9 Flyer goto page 2 $79.99 |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 10/3/2011 6:35:25 PM EDT
[#28]
saw this thread so thought I would do a quick update on my little genny. Used it many times over the past year+ and still going strong. Mine usually starts up after 3 or 4 pulls and runs fine with load. It does tend to be a bit surgey without a load but I'm used to it now so doesn't bug me. I haven't had to do anything to mine so far. I always add some seafoam to my fuel/oil mix and use merc outboard 2 stroke oil which has worked great so far. I've already got my moneys worth so from now on, it is all gravy.
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IN, USA
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Posted: 10/3/2011 6:56:03 PM EDT
[#29]
Well if these are really gonna be $79 bucks again I better finally pick one up I guess !!??
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Posted: 10/7/2011 6:27:14 PM EDT
[#30]
Parkinglot sale in Houston this weekend, the I45 north location had several pallets of em.
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Posted: 10/7/2011 7:49:42 PM EDT
[#31]
The e-mail I got yesterday says they are at $79 again.
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Posted: 10/7/2011 7:57:04 PM EDT
[#32]
picked one up today for my dad 79.99
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Posted: 10/7/2011 8:25:14 PM EDT
[#33]
Got one. Seems well made.
3 hours into break in with a 300w work light so far... |
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Posted: 10/8/2011 1:01:15 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Bizarro]
[#34]
Don't throw a heavy load on them prior to break in. I tried to turn over a small air conditioner and it killed the unit. I went to restart it and could feel that it had much more resistance when pulling the rope than before. Did start and has run for several hours since but probably starved the piston of oil a bit and so scored the jug. So break the puppy in prior to anything over 600wats of load would be my suggestion. Still starts on 2nd pull.
Info on 2 cycle exhausts |
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Posted: 10/8/2011 2:47:27 PM EDT
[#35]
Local HF had a bunch of these still outside today for $79. If I didn't live in an apartment I definitely would have gotten one of them. Don't think the neighbors would appreciate me running a genny on the balcony
Finally grabbed their 1/2" torque wrench though. I've been waiting and finally got it for $9.99. I also got one of the 12V portable air compressors for $20. http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-100-psi-high-volume-air-compressor-96068.html If it will get my tires from 25 to 35psi it will be a success. If not, I'll return it. The reviews are pretty good on it. |
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Posted: 10/8/2011 2:58:53 PM EDT
[#36]
actually i don't think it would be a problem in an apartment. these are amazingly quite.
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Posted: 10/8/2011 3:24:24 PM EDT
[Last Edit: GLHX2112]
[#37]
Ok, my Harbor Freight had two left, so I grabbed one yesterday. I just finished re-reading the entire thread to refresh my memory and take some notes concerning oil, storage, and plug replacement. I'm pretty clueless when it comes to all things electrical, so, you guys may have saved my ass from plugging things in just to see what I can and cannot power up/blow up. Forgot to get a good quality extension cord and a dedicated fuel container for this little critter, that will be on the list of things to get today.
With taxes, my cost was $84.78. Too bad they nerfed coupons so you cannot use them on generator purchases.
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LA, USA
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Posted: 10/14/2011 7:21:29 AM EDT
[#38]
I too grabbed one this past weedend for $79. Ran it for a few hours with a couple of lights and fan to break it in. I replaced the plug with a champion and it sounds so much better, almost like a totally different machine. Should have bought two of them.
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IN, USA
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Posted: 10/15/2011 11:21:02 AM EDT
[#39]
I bought one also but now have slight buyers remorse .
Unit is still NIB but my research indicates that it will not run mu electric Poulan chain saw as I had hoped . I will probably br returning the genny for a bigger one w 2000 watts or so . chain saw sticker says it pulls 12 amps / |
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IN, USA
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Posted: 10/15/2011 11:22:05 AM EDT
[#40]
ANY GOOD deals on 2000 watt gennys anywhere ???
I hear good things on Champion units |
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Posted: 10/15/2011 1:18:32 PM EDT
[#41]
Originally Posted By Ranman223:
I bought one also but now have slight buyers remorse . Unit is still NIB but my research indicates that it will not run mu electric Poulan chain saw as I had hoped . I will probably br returning the genny for a bigger one w 2000 watts or so . chain saw sticker says it pulls 12 amps / put it on craigslist for 100.00. i bet it sells. especially now that the sale is over. |
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LA, USA
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Posted: 10/21/2011 7:00:04 PM EDT
[#42]
Hooked my up to my freezer today just to see if the compressor would start. It wouldn't.
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Posted: 10/21/2011 7:05:41 PM EDT
[#43]
what's the rating on the freezer? you have to check such things before just plugging them in
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Posted: 10/21/2011 11:24:00 PM EDT
[#44]
I've been tinkering with mine for a few weeks now.
Ran it today while I was working outside, and hooked up a small heater. Switched it on at low (700w) and the engine kicked down but held fine. For kicks, I turned the heater on high (1500w). The genny was working hard, but it held without tripping the breaker. I let it run like that for an hour. Not sure if the genset is underrated or if the breaker is bad, but I'm impressed with how it preformed. |
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Posted: 10/21/2011 11:37:47 PM EDT
[#45]
Originally Posted By billyjoebob:
I've been tinkering with mine for a few weeks now. Ran it today while I was working outside, and hooked up a small heater. Switched it on at low (700w) and the engine kicked down but held fine. For kicks, I turned the heater on high (1500w). The genny was working hard, but it held without tripping the breaker. I let it run like that for an hour. Not sure if the genset is underrated or if the breaker is bad, but I'm impressed with how it preformed. The heater won't trip the breaker, it's not really running at 1500 watts. It's running between 800 and 900 watts. If you try to run a miter saw the breaker will trip. |
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Posted: 10/22/2011 12:41:36 AM EDT
[#46]
Originally Posted By Gixxersixxer:
Originally Posted By billyjoebob:
I've been tinkering with mine for a few weeks now. Ran it today while I was working outside, and hooked up a small heater. Switched it on at low (700w) and the engine kicked down but held fine. For kicks, I turned the heater on high (1500w). The genny was working hard, but it held without tripping the breaker. I let it run like that for an hour. Not sure if the genset is underrated or if the breaker is bad, but I'm impressed with how it preformed. The heater won't trip the breaker, it's not really running at 1500 watts. It's running between 800 and 900 watts. Yep. When the generator is overloaded, the output voltage sags. It protects the generator, but can quickly kill the appliance it's powering. |
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Posted: 10/22/2011 1:01:49 AM EDT
[#47]
What type of spark plug should I get for this thing?
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Posted: 10/22/2011 7:50:46 AM EDT
[#48]
Originally Posted By 35mm_Shooter:
What type of spark plug should I get for this thing? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CSEZQ0 |
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Posted: 10/22/2011 9:21:15 AM EDT
[#49]
Originally Posted By The_Beer_Slayer:
Originally Posted By 35mm_Shooter:
What type of spark plug should I get for this thing? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CSEZQ0 Does it really make a difference over stock? |
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Posted: 10/22/2011 10:18:39 AM EDT
[#50]
it did on all 3 of mine. they ran much smoother and the voltage was much steadier. i also suspect life on the plug will be significantly longer.
one thing i notice was less fouling on this plug s the stock plug. |
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