Kawasaki FD620 - single cylinder

[JohnF]

Went on a ride today with some other folks. Met up in elevation a bit. When I unloaded I was amazed at how much the elevation totally wrecked my power.

After meeting up with the others we discovered that I was firing on only one cylinder. Uh, I mean my machine was firing on only one cylinder.

These engines are known to drop a push rod - dang I think - but usually the front cylinder (apparently) and mine was the back. Tim pulled the spark plug wire and I didn't here any snap. I reached in, wiggled this and that, pulled the wire from the plug a ways - there was easily a 3/8 inch gap -with no spark and then suddenly there was. We watched the spark for a bit, pushed the wire on, and ran up the RPMs.

Ran great the rest of the day.

Any ideas?

[Edit a day later]

Okay, apparently this is not an obvious thing. If it were a car I would suspect a broken conductor in the plug wire. This one doesn't look like something that is easily changed out. (but then I haven't pulled out the shop light and really given it a look see) I don't think these engines use a point system and I also don't think this engine uses electronic ignition. How does the ignition system on this engine work?

I haven't experienced the fault since.

[JohnF]

This is a test. Editing didn't seem to bring the thread to the top. Maybe I have to reply...

Yep. That's what I had to do. So, read the edit above...

[msafi65]

The ignition system on this engine is two mag coils, one for each cylinder. Ive had them fail with heat and run ok cold but drop one cyl. when hot again. The coils are on the radiator side of the engine and arnt real easy to change out. check the connections and wires to the coils and the high tension lead to the plug for damage or wear spots.Hope this helps