Honda NT700V Deauville Spark Plug Replacement

Maintaining your Honda NT700V Deauville is key to ensuring its longevity, reliability, and optimal performance on the open road. Among the most crucial, yet often overlooked, maintenance tasks is the regular inspection and replacement of your spark plugs. These small but mighty components are vital for igniting the fuel-air mixture in your engine's cylinders, directly impacting everything from fuel economy to engine power and smooth running. A fresh set of spark plugs can breathe new life into your Deauville, restoring its responsiveness and efficiency. This detailed guide will walk you through the entire process, empowering you to tackle this essential job yourself, saving both time and money.

Why Changing Your Spark Plugs Matters

Spark plugs are subject to extreme conditions within the combustion chamber, enduring high temperatures and pressures. Over time, their electrodes wear down, and deposits can build up, leading to a less efficient spark. Recognising the signs of worn spark plugs is the first step towards preventative maintenance.

Symptoms of Worn Spark Plugs

• Reduced Fuel Economy: A weak or inconsistent spark leads to incomplete combustion, meaning your engine uses more fuel to produce the same power.
• Engine Misfires or Rough Idling: If a cylinder isn't firing correctly, you'll feel the engine stumble or vibrate unevenly, especially at idle.
• Difficulty Starting: A weak spark can make it harder for the engine to ignite the fuel-air mixture, leading to prolonged cranking.
• Loss of Power and Acceleration: As combustion becomes less efficient, your bike will feel sluggish, particularly during acceleration or when climbing hills.
• Increased Emissions: Incomplete combustion also means more unburnt fuel is expelled, leading to higher harmful emissions.

Benefits of New Spark Plugs

Replacing old, worn-out spark plugs with new ones offers a host of immediate and long-term benefits:

• Improved Fuel Efficiency: A strong, consistent spark ensures more complete combustion, optimising fuel usage.
• Smoother Engine Operation: Consistent firing across all cylinders eliminates misfires and rough idling.
• Easier Starting: A robust spark makes cold starts quicker and more reliable.
• Restored Power and Acceleration: Your Deauville will feel more responsive and powerful, especially when you need it most.
• Reduced Emissions: More efficient combustion means a cleaner exhaust.
• Extended Engine Life: By ensuring optimal combustion, you reduce strain on other engine components.

Tools and Materials You'll Need

Before you begin, gather all the necessary tools and materials. Having everything to hand will make the process much smoother and more efficient.

• New Spark Plugs: Refer to your Honda NT700V Deauville owner's manual for the correct type and heat range. Typically, NGK IFR6G-11K (Iridium) or equivalent are recommended for optimal performance and longevity.
• Spark Plug Wrench/Socket: A 16mm (5/8 inch) deep socket specifically designed for spark plugs, often with a rubber insert to protect the ceramic and hold the plug.
• Ratchet and Extensions: Essential for reaching recessed spark plugs. A universal joint can also be very helpful for awkward angles.
• Torque Wrench: Absolutely crucial for tightening new spark plugs to the manufacturer's specified torque. Overtightening can damage the cylinder head or the plug itself; undertightening can lead to blow-outs.
• Feeler Gauge: For checking and adjusting the spark plug gap (though many modern plugs come pre-gapped).
• Dielectric Grease: Applied to the inside of the spark plug boots to prevent moisture ingress and make future removal easier.
• Anti-Seize Compound: A small amount applied to the threads of new spark plugs can prevent them from seizing in the cylinder head, especially if they are steel plugs in an aluminium head.
• Compressed Air or Brush: For cleaning around the spark plug wells before removal.
• Gloves: To protect your hands from grease and sharp edges.
• Shop Rags/Clean Cloths: For cleaning up spills and wiping components.
• Basic Hand Tools: Screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead), Allen keys (hex wrenches) for fairing removal.

Safety First: Essential Precautions

Working on any vehicle requires adherence to strict safety protocols. Your safety, and that of your motorcycle, is paramount.

• Engine Off and Cool: Always ensure the engine is completely off and has cooled down. Working on a hot engine can lead to burns and can damage components like the spark plugs or cylinder head threads if they are thermally expanded.
• Disconnect Battery: For added safety, it's wise to disconnect the negative terminal of your motorcycle's battery. This prevents accidental electrical shorts.
• Ventilation: If you're working in an enclosed space, ensure good ventilation to disperse any fumes.
• Eye Protection: Always wear safety glasses or goggles to protect your eyes from debris.
• Stabilize the Motorcycle: Ensure your Deauville is securely placed on its centre stand or a paddock stand, on a level surface, to prevent it from falling over.
• Keep Area Clear: Remove any potential trip hazards or flammable materials from your workspace.

Step-by-Step Guide to Spark Plug Replacement

The Honda NT700V Deauville, being a V-twin, has two cylinders, meaning two spark plugs to replace. Accessing them requires some disassembly.

Preparation

1. Position the Motorcycle: Place your Deauville securely on its centre stand on a flat, stable surface.
2. Disconnect Battery: Using a wrench, loosen the nut on the negative (-) terminal of your battery and remove the cable.
3. Remove Fairings: This is arguably the most time-consuming part. You'll need to remove the side fairings to gain proper access to both the front and rear cylinder spark plugs. Carefully locate all retaining screws, clips, and push-pins. Keep track of which fastener goes where, perhaps by laying them out in the order they were removed or using small containers. Pay particular attention to the plastic tabs and slots to avoid breakage. The exact procedure for fairing removal will be detailed in your Deauville's service manual, but typically involves screws along the lower edge, near the tank, and sometimes hidden behind other panels.
4. Clean Around Spark Plug Wells: Once the fairings are off, you'll see the cylinder heads. Before removing anything, use compressed air or a small brush to clear any dirt, dust, or debris from around the spark plug wells. This prevents foreign particles from falling into the combustion chamber once the old plugs are removed.

Accessing the Spark Plugs

The NT700V has a front and a rear cylinder. Accessing the rear cylinder's spark plug can be slightly more challenging due to the frame and other components.

1. Locate Ignition Coils/Caps: Each spark plug will have an ignition coil (or a coil-on-plug arrangement) or a simple spark plug cap covering it. These are typically rubber or plastic boots.
2. Disconnect and Remove Ignition Coils/Caps: Gently but firmly pull the spark plug cap or coil straight up to disconnect it from the spark plug. Avoid pulling on the wires. If it's a coil-on-plug, there will likely be a small electrical connector to unclip first. Set these aside in a clean, organised manner, noting which belongs to which cylinder.

Removing the Old Plugs

1. Insert Spark Plug Socket: Carefully insert your spark plug socket into the well, ensuring it seats fully onto the hex of the spark plug. Use an appropriate extension.
2. Loosen Spark Plugs: Attach your ratchet to the extension. Turn counter-clockwise to loosen the spark plug. If the plug feels unusually tight or resists turning, apply a small amount of penetrating oil around its base and let it sit for a few minutes. Apply steady, even pressure. A sudden jerk can cause damage.
3. Extract Old Plugs: Once loose, you can often unscrew the plug by hand using the socket and extension. The rubber insert in the spark plug socket should hold the plug securely as you withdraw it from the well.
4. Inspect Old Plugs: Take a moment to inspect the removed spark plugs. Their appearance can tell you a lot about your engine's health.
• Light Tan/Grey Deposits: Normal and healthy.
• Black, Sooty Deposits: Rich fuel mixture, possibly air filter issues, or prolonged idling.
• Oily Deposits: Oil burning, potentially worn piston rings or valve seals.
• White or Blistered Deposits: Overheating, possibly too hot a spark plug or lean fuel mixture.
• Melted or Damaged Electrodes: Severe overheating, pre-ignition, or detonation.

Installing the New Plugs

1. Check Spark Plug Gap: Even if your new plugs are pre-gapped, it's good practice to verify the gap using a feeler gauge. Refer to your Deauville's service manual for the precise gap specification (typically around 0.8-0.9mm for the NT700V). If adjustment is needed, carefully bend the ground electrode using a gapping tool.
2. Apply Anti-Seize (Optional but Recommended): Put a tiny dab of anti-seize compound on the threads of the new spark plug. Be careful not to get any on the electrode or the ceramic insulator. This prevents the plugs from seizing in the cylinder head over time.
3. Thread New Plugs by Hand: Carefully insert the new spark plug into the spark plug socket. Lower it into the well and begin to thread it in by hand. This is a critical step to avoid cross-threading. If it doesn't turn easily, stop, remove it, and try again. It should thread smoothly.
4. Torque New Plugs: Once the plug is finger-tight, use your torque wrench to tighten it to the manufacturer's specified torque setting. For spark plugs, this is typically quite low, often around 12-18 Nm (9-13 lb-ft). Consult your service manual for the exact figure. Do NOT overtighten, as this can strip the threads in the cylinder head, a costly repair.
5. Apply Dielectric Grease: Apply a small amount of dielectric grease to the inside of the spark plug boots or coil connectors before reattaching them. This helps seal out moisture and makes future removal easier.
6. Reattach Ignition Coils/Caps: Push the spark plug caps or coils firmly back onto the new spark plugs until they click into place or feel fully seated. Ensure any electrical connectors are re-clipped.

Reassembly and Testing

1. Reinstall Fairings: Carefully reattach all fairings, ensuring all screws, clips, and tabs are correctly aligned and secured. Double-check that no tools or rags have been left inside.
2. Reconnect Battery: Reconnect the negative (-) terminal of your battery and tighten the nut securely.
3. Test Start: Before heading out, start your Deauville. Listen for any unusual noises, misfires, or rough running. The engine should idle smoothly and accelerate cleanly. If everything sounds good, take a short test ride to confirm proper operation.

Choosing the Right Spark Plugs for Your Deauville

While your manual specifies the correct spark plug, understanding the types can help you make an informed decision.

For the Honda NT700V Deauville, high-quality iridium plugs (like NGK IFR6G-11K) are often recommended as they offer excellent performance and a longer service life, making the initial higher cost worthwhile due to fewer replacement intervals.

Understanding Spark Plug Gapping and Torque

These two factors are often overlooked but are critical for proper spark plug function and engine health.

• Spark Plug Gap: The gap is the distance between the central and ground electrodes. If the gap is too small, the spark may be weak or short-circuit. If it's too large, the ignition system may struggle to generate a strong enough spark, leading to misfires. Always use a feeler gauge to verify the gap, even on pre-gapped plugs, as they can shift during shipping.
• Torque: The specified torque ensures the spark plug is tightened just enough to create a good seal and heat transfer to the cylinder head, without being overtightened. Overtightening can strip the threads in the aluminium cylinder head, crack the spark plug's ceramic insulator, or deform the plug itself. Undertightening can cause poor heat transfer, leading to overheating, or allow the plug to vibrate loose, potentially causing engine damage. Always use a torque wrench for this step.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Cross-Threading: Always start threading the new spark plug by hand. If you feel resistance, stop, back out, and try again. Cross-threading can severely damage the cylinder head threads.
• Dropping Spark Plugs: Dropping a new spark plug, especially an iridium one, can damage the delicate electrode or alter the gap. Handle them with care.
• Overtightening: As mentioned, this is a common and costly mistake. Always use a torque wrench.
• Leaving Debris in Wells: Failing to clean around the spark plug wells before removal can allow dirt to fall into the combustion chamber, potentially causing engine damage.
• Incorrect Gap: Double-check the gap. Even a small deviation can affect performance.
• Pulling on Wires: When removing ignition coils or caps, pull only on the boot or body of the coil, not the wires, to prevent damage.
• Forgetting to Reconnect Battery: A simple oversight that will prevent your bike from starting!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How often should I change the spark plugs on my NT700V Deauville?
A: Honda typically recommends spark plug replacement every 12,000 to 16,000 miles (20,000 to 25,000 km) for standard plugs, or longer for iridium plugs, as specified in your owner's manual. However, if you notice any performance issues, it's worth checking them sooner.

Q: Can I use different types of spark plugs than what's recommended?
A: It's always best to stick to the manufacturer's recommended type and heat range. Using a plug with an incorrect heat range can lead to pre-ignition or excessive fouling, both detrimental to engine health.

Q: What if a spark plug is stuck?
A: If a plug feels stuck, do not force it. Apply penetrating oil around the base and let it soak for several hours, or even overnight. Sometimes, warming the engine slightly (just a few minutes, not to operating temperature) can help expand the cylinder head slightly, making removal easier. Use steady, increasing pressure, not sudden jerks.

Q: Do I need to gap iridium spark plugs?
A: Most iridium spark plugs come pre-gapped and are designed with very fine electrodes that can be easily damaged. While it's always good to verify the gap with a feeler gauge, be extremely careful if you need to adjust it, as the fine electrode can bend or break easily.

Q: How can I tell which cylinder is which?
A: On a V-twin like the Deauville, the front cylinder is the one closer to the front wheel, and the rear cylinder is closer to the rider.

Conclusion

Changing the spark plugs on your Honda NT700V Deauville is a rewarding DIY task that can significantly improve your motorcycle's performance and reliability. By following this comprehensive guide, taking the necessary safety precautions, and using the correct tools, you can confidently undertake this maintenance procedure. Regular spark plug replacement is a small investment that yields significant returns in terms of fuel efficiency, engine longevity, and a smoother, more enjoyable riding experience. Embrace the satisfaction of maintaining your own machine and keep your Deauville running at its best for many miles to come!

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