While changing spark plugs...

[thatguyx]

while changing sparkplugs today I was almost done (down to cylinder #3). I had a hard time putting the ignition coils back in and then while trying to get it in the wire separated from the boot on the plug. Fawk. I pushed it back in as hard as I could. I finished the last plug after that and fired the bike up. It sounds just the same as before I went ahead and swapped the plugs.

Should I be worried?

 

[urbanj]

naw. the boot is just to protect the connection from the elements and keep debris from getting down to the hole. the boot is most of the time bonded (glued) to the wire. just make sure the wires connector has locked onto the top of the sparkplug.

 

[thatguyx]

would i notice anything in particular if it wasn't connected right? Like excess vibration or noise from the #3 cylinder not firing?

 

[wrightme43]

Yes, you would.

 

[thatguyx]

Yes, you would.

so i'm assuming since everything sounds ok as of now (gotta test it out tomorrow) if everything feels normal tomorrow, I'm good to go?

 

[Gosling1]

Get the bike warmed up. Spray some water on each pipe. If #3 isn't firing that pipe will be cold.

 

[reiobard]

for a less safe way to test you could just grab the header, but not recommended.

 

[Gosling1]

For some stupid reason I did that to my Charger in high school. At least I didn't adjust my alt belt with the engine running. That was messy!!!

 

[HavBlue]

Get the bike warmed up. Spray some water on each pipe. If #3 isn't firing that pipe will be cold.

If number 3 isn't firing that bike will not respond right and you should know it in an instant when you try to throttle up even in the static unloaded mode. Bottom line, a dead cylinder is a dead cylinder. You are correct in that there won't be any hot exhaust to heat the number 3 tube but it should be apparent without ever getting to the point you'll need water. Now, considering these new electronic ignitions can put out upwards of 50,000 volts they can jump a pretty good gap and engines do have the ability to bring that dead cylinder on line once the ignition has jumped that gap. at that point that tube will be hot but again, the engine will be outrunning the miss. This will be easily noticed in a test ride if not picked up on the stand.