Colortune Question

Just tried to use my color tune and all i got was popping. I got the bike up to operating temp took the number one plug out installed the color tune fired it back up and it was popping the whole time put the plug back in and it ran fine trid the colortune again and got the same result popping and backfiring. anyone had this happen to them.

 

Never had it happen to me my colortune works great. Could you see any combustion? Was there any arcing from the extender to the motor? Could be sapping spark that way.

 

yes it was sparking and everytime it popped and backifred the flame was blue

 

Hmm I'm at a loss - sounds like a mix issue but runs fine on the plug.

Good strong spark - no missing sparks? As I mentioned I have seen arcing issues but you should see that in the spark ( or lack there of).

Hopefully some else has a better idea.

 

My Color Tune does the same thing. I'm going to send it back to Len and see if he can see anything wrong with it.

Mine: warm the bike up and install misses and pops on that cylinder. Put the old plug back in and runs smooth.

So I tryed it in a second bike same thing.

Then just to be sure I tryed it on another bike and same thing. I'm at a loss I don't see anything wrong. I even plulled a plug wire and ran the color tune out of the bike and it sparks every time. I noticed the gap to the side is real close and the electrode is way up inside the plug. I was thinking a regular plug the electrode is exposed in the cylinder and this thing would be concidered shrouded when its up inside like that. Its almost up to the end of the threads on the outside. Where are your electrodes located?

In any case I want Len to check this out and see what he thinks

MN

 

It is way up inside and it is sparking like mad. While running the flame is white to lite blue but when it backfires the flame is brite blue. All the carbs are sync'd within 2 cm of each other. It is running alitte rich at idle but runs out fine and the plugs are grey at chop. I was just going to try and lean the idle out alittle it has alitte stumble from idle to wot. If you find out something from Len about yours let me know as I just got mine from Len on saturday.

 

I had an engine in a Chinese scooter that wouldn't idle hot. When I put the colortune in it wouldn't run at all (1 cylinder) and would backfire.

Turns out the exhaust valve clearance was so tight (at 600 miles) that it was dumping compression (hence no idle). The colorune plug reduced the compression enough it wouldn't run at all.

Have you checked your compression (hot)?

 

no but i will 145-150 cold. valves check within specs.

 

I too had a similar problem with my color tune. Nice blue flame for the most part, when it popped it was yellow. The plug seemed clean enough, but maybe it has to be super clean in there or it will cause this problem? I am interested to find the answer.

 

If you don't have the UpGraded Heavily Insulated Lead from the maker ...
wrab the Extension Lead with a couple of layers of Electrical Tape to keep the Lead from discharging to the Cylinder Head instead of the Plug Electrode.

You can't even see this happening unless its practically dark in the shop.
I wrote to the Company ... they sent me the Beefed-Up Lead Attachment.

If you don't think its the LEAD ... try:
Letting a little FUEL dribble into the OPENED Manifold Vacuum Port.
This will Teat the Plug and the Fuel Delivery System.

If you Dribble Fuel or Shoot Carb Cleaner into the Manifold Vacuum Port.
(Restrict it with your finger or there will be too much air)
The Plug will Fire the Introduced Mixture and show you its working.
This will alert you to a problem elsewhere
Either an Air Leak or a Supply Problem.

If you get the Cylinder to Fire introducing a Fuel Source and need to determine if you are dealing with a Fuel Supply or Air Leak ... Check the Vacuums again.
Hook-up to Carb Sticks and look at the Vacuums.
A major air leak will not allow you to Sync the Carb.
Insufficient Vacuum will make that Hole lower than the others.

 

Thank you! This sounds like it might be the answer. I highly doubt I have any air leaks. I did a FULL tear down of the carbs and replaced the shaft seals, and all my boots are in good shape and tight. Of course, anything can happen. My colortune lead does not seem beefy in anyway, and the kit I got a couple years ago was definitely an older one. The way it ran would seem to agree with week spark and/or intermittent grounding as being the issue. Not seeing any arcs and knowing everything was tight though had made me think it was something else.
I'll give this a try and see how it works. Thanks!