S3 plug fouling problem

[augfal]

I have about 4700 miles on a '06 S3. I am on my third set of plugs. The engine managenent system has been "updated" twice at the dealer. I just noticed some starting problems and looked at the current plugs, and they are fouled pretty bad. Has anyone else had this problem and have you fixed it? I am thinking about trying a one step hotter plug and maybe the NGK Iridium plug. Anybody tried this? The bike has Triumph off road mufflers and a K&N filter, but otherwise is stock.

[geolpilot]

Are they fouled with oil or carbon or what?

[augfal]

That might help to know, huh. They are wet. Basically, I was wanting to know if anyone else has had this problem with their S3 and what fixed it.

[INTFIT]

I'm no mechanic but I'll describe a plug problem(s) I encountered on my last S3 just in case it's relevant (now or in the future).
Bike progressively got harder to start particularly when hot. Injection cleaner additived seemed to help for a while. Then one time bike won't start at all. Trailered it to dealer, bike needed new plugs due to TWO simultaeneous problems (according to head mechanic).
1. Water in fuel tank, it got in there because the drain hole in rim under filler cap was blocked (apparently not unheard of). Everytime you open filler cap water goes into fuel
2. Plugs corroded on the OUTSIDE of engine. Apparently there are no drain holes to let water run away from plugs. Not a problem under normal use because because heat causes water to evaporate. But if you put the the bike away wet and cold the plugs will corrode on the outside, which means poor spark inside! (could possibly explain your wet plugs ??)

One last thing, you mentioned you've got the TORS (off road silencers) did you get the fuel injection map to suit? Not that I would know if not having it would cause any problem.
Good luck . It can only be something minor but I'm sure its quite frustrating

[FL_Rat_Matt]

I had similar experiences.
Mine would occasionally be hard to start. After starting it would run on 2 cyls for a little and then clear out. Sometimes it would not start at all. So I had to take off the tank, the coil and wires and pull out the plugs and clean them, ( I have a plug cleaner, I have seen this on a lot of engines). After cleaning the plugs and putting them back in it would fire up just fine. I put an aftermarket pipe on, a 2 brothers single can, that actually solved the problem. It is my opinion that the cold starting enrichment is too rich, and at the right outside temp, the thing just floods.

I rode it for a while with the new pipe and no new map and it was very good. Just a little hiccup at 2500 that was all. So I was not going to remap. BUT, I went to the dealer for tires and front brakes and asked them to put the TOR map on it. I had to ride the bike 60 miles home. The bike ran worse then ever it was. she was really only happy cruising at 4000, anywhere else and I could hear it in the exhaust, it was not good. I was seriously upset. If anyone had rode the bike for me like I asked they wouold have known they messed up.
I parked the bike and bought a Tuneboy. 2 weeks later I put in map #20103 and the bike is absolutely perfect. I have never pulled out the plugs again, and I don't think I will have to until they are shot.

Bottom Line: Get the Tuneboy. The best money I spent on my bike by far.