Break in question : Plug is black.

[Ernst]

I understand while I am running the first gallon @ 16 to 1 I will have a black plug.

Is this correct? I thought to check with our group.

 

[Greg58]

Yes, the plug will be black at 16 to 1, mine ran so bad at 16/1 I changed to 24/1 after about 1/2 a tank. Then ran that about two tanks then went to 40/1 with lucas oil.

 

[Ernst]

Okay, double checking some advice. I appreciate the feedback..

Wait: 40 to one with Lucas semi synth?

IS that correct?

I worry about diesel-ing.. I hit the kill button today and it fought the shut down.

 

[MotorBicycleRacing]

I understand while I am running the first gallon @ 16 to 1 I will have a black plug.

Is this correct? I thought to check with our group.

The only reason the Chinese recommend such a rich mixture
is because they did not have 2 stroke oil available in China.

They only had 30 weight motor oil and it was probably waste oil as well.

This really bad 16:1 oil recommendation has been embedded into
the motorized bicycle manuals and will probably never be changed.

Anyway 16;1 oil mix is a really bad idea and no one who is an
experienced user uses 16:1 mix to break their engines in.

 

[Greg58]

Yes 40/1 with lucas is what I run, most will agree that some where in the 32 to 40 range is about the right mixture.

 

[BarelyAWake]

The only reason the Chinese recommend such a rich mixture
is because they did not have 2 stroke oil available in China.

They only had 30 weight motor oil and it was probably waste oil as well.

This really bad 16:1 oil recommendation has been embedded into
the motorized bicycle manuals and will probably never be changed.

Anyway 16;1 oil mix is a really bad idea and no one who is an
experienced user uses 16:1 mix to break their engines in.

This is the predominate theory yes & it's a good one as it may well be a holdover from the original "old school" Russian engines the Chinese cloned, but they do actually have 2 stroke oil available in China, have for quite a while I suspect lol

...but I wonder if the real reason the manuals haven't been changed is the manufacturer's ...paranoia regarding warranties, poor tolerance engines & inexperienced users

16:1 is still ridiculous in any case, excessive carbon & unspent oil buildup can be just as bad for your engine as not running enough oil is (jammed rings & hot spots), 24:1 for break in & 32:1 with a quality nonsynthetic thereafter is the commonly excepted standard - running even leaner oil mixes with synthetics after break in is also an option

Another common reason for a "black plug" is a too rich fuel/air mix ofc, after break in and running your normal oil/fuel mix - check that plug again to be sure it's got a nice chocolate/tan color. Gray/white & it's too lean (dangerous) black/oily and it's too rich (safe but boggy), some synthetics lack the brown color & only leave shades of gray from black to white - but the process is the same.

 

[Ernst]

Well, I am one who had the wrong info.

I'll change up.

Thanks for the input.

Turned out to be a good thread for all.