4.3 lx thunderbolt spark plugs

[HZickefoose]

Hi all! I am new to boating and just bought my first boat about 2 weeks ago. It is a 1997 VIP Valiant 19' open bow. The motor is a 4.3 lx gen+. The first two times I took it out it ran great. I went to take it out again and it was very sluggish and took a while to get up on plane. It maxed out at 3,500 rpm wot. The other two times I had it to 4,000 and a little more with no problems. I pulled the spark plugs and found the #5 plug was very black, dry but smelled like fuel. I'm hoping that it is a fouled plug. I want to put new plugs in it but not sure what the best plugs to get are. I really don't want to have this issue all the time. Is this normal? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 lx thunderbolt spark plugs

Hi all! I am new to boating and just bought my first boat about 2 weeks ago. It is a 1997 VIP Valiant 19' open bow. The motor is a 4.3 lx gen+. The first two times I took it out it ran great. I went to take it out again and it was very sluggish and took a while to get up on plane. It maxed out at 3,500 rpm wot. The other two times I had it to 4,000 and a little more with no problems. I pulled the spark plugs and found the #5 plug was very black, dry but smelled like fuel. I'm hoping that it is a fouled plug. I want to put new plugs in it but not sure what the best plugs to get are. I really don't want to have this issue all the time. Is this normal? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... What spark plugs are in it now,..??

Changin' the spark plugs won't fix a Carb issue either,....

Check the contents of, 'n change the fuel filter too,....

 

[HZickefoose]

Re: 4.3 lx thunderbolt spark plugs

the plugs are ngk r's...you don't think a fouled plug would cause the problem? I don't have any idea

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 lx thunderbolt spark plugs

the plugs are ngk r's...you don't think a fouled plug would cause the problem? I don't have any idea

Ayuh,.... Of Course it will, but a fouled plug is the result of an issue, not the basis of it,....

If ya got the Vortec heads(8 intake bolts, not 12),....

It takes the AC Delco MR43LTS plugs,...

 

[HZickefoose]

Re: 4.3 lx thunderbolt spark plugs

Ayuh,.... Of Course it will, but a fouled plug is the result of an issue, not the basis of it,....

If ya got the Vortec heads(8 intake bolts, not 12),....

It takes the AC Delco MR43TLS plugs,...

I changed the Plugs and took it out yesterday. She ran great! When I started it I had some white looking smoke and it smelled like fuel. It cleared right out and didn't have anymore smoke. When I was done I shut it down to get the trailer and when I started it to put it on the trailer the same thing happened. Could it be rich or maybe the float sticking a little. It ran great the whole time out on the lake. I could pull wot without any problems. No hesitation, came out of the water beautifully, no complaints that way. Just don't know if I'm going to have the issue of fouling another plug soon. I'm thinking about pulling the plugs and seeing what they look like today.

 

[achris]

Re: 4.3 lx thunderbolt spark plugs

White looking smoke is usually water (ie, steam)... And that is not good... Time to have a look at your manifolds and elbows...

Chris......

 

[Volphin]

Re: 4.3 lx thunderbolt spark plugs

Ayuh,.... Of Course it will, but a fouled plug is the result of an issue, not the basis of it,....

If ya got the Vortec heads(8 intake bolts, not 12),....

It takes the AC Delco MR43TLS plugs,...

Negative Bondo... I'd fix this typo for you but I'm not a mod. LOL
He needs AC Delco MR43LTS

Just in case someone does a search for plugs later...

 

[HZickefoose]

Re: 4.3 lx thunderbolt spark plugs

I ended up using NGK BPR6EFS plugs...someone suggested that they worked really well for them. I guess I will find out...lol

 

[ericga]

Re: 4.3 lx thunderbolt spark plugs

Have you inspected the distributor cap and ignition wires?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 lx thunderbolt spark plugs

I changed the Plugs and took it out yesterday. She ran great! When I started it I had some white looking smoke and it smelled like fuel. It cleared right out and didn't have anymore smoke. When I was done I shut it down to get the trailer and when I started it to put it on the trailer the same thing happened. Could it be rich or maybe the float sticking a little. It ran great the whole time out on the lake. I could pull wot without any problems. No hesitation, came out of the water beautifully, no complaints that way. Just don't know if I'm going to have the issue of fouling another plug soon. I'm thinking about pulling the plugs and seeing what they look like today.

Ayuh,.... It might be the dreaded Merc/ Weber Drip,....

Some of those carbs leak outa the bowl, into the intake,....

I believe aChris has pursued that demon,...

Negative Bondo... I'd fix this typo for you but I'm not a mod. LOL
He needs AC Delco MR43LTS

Just in case someone does a search for plugs later...

Ayuh,.... Fixed it, Thank you,.... Crs again,....

 

[achris]

Re: 4.3 lx thunderbolt spark plugs

Ayuh,.... It might be the dreaded Merc/ Weber Drip,....

Some of those carbs leak outa the bowl, into the intake,....

I believe aChris has pursued that demon,...

Yep, sure did... Fixed it too... :facepalm: (read my signature)