I'll do a compression test and leak down test as soon as my son returns my compression gauge. Hopefully today.

 

Pull the plug out and post a good photo, use a flash.

 

Well - we're waiting.....

 

Sorry I haven't been back on this but, been busy as a one legged man in a soccer game. Had to have a complete sewer system put in this weekend then the drive belt and idler pulley took a dump on my mower AND my son hasn't returned by compression tester yet. In my best Arnold voice, "I'll be back".......

 

Finally got around to doing a compression test, got 145 rear and 147 front. Did a leak down test also, had 2% leak down on both cylinders. Here is a picture of the head without the plug in. I'm stumped.

 

Well it's obvious you have some bad ozone around the that plug wire.
Best solution I have found is to take a 3-4 day trip and ride it like ya stole it.

To be honest I ain't got a clue. Good excuse to ride. Good Luck

WP

 

Have a sneaking suspicion that you might be dealing with a leak of something traveling down from the top front of the cyl.?
Have checked the pics. and it looks like i can see a definate track of something running down from the upper left to the plug and then past the plug.?
Have you recently used a forced lube can to lube your cables ?
If so , this is probably lube residue dripping onto the motor .
If not ???

 

As a matter of fact, yes, I recently lubed both throttle cables and the clutch cable.....


In closer inspection, I found the carbon is also on the top motor mount on the rear cylinder, nothing on the part on the front cylinder. Is it possible that it is coming from the bolt hole for the top motor mount on the jug?

 

I don't see how... it's holding any compression in. Dirt and road grime isn't latching onto any dielectric grease is it?

 

I suppose that is possible but, I don't understand how it is JUST the rear cylinder. If that was the case I would think the front cylinder would do the same thing only worse? I'm befuddled.