running on three cyclinders! help

i just found out ive been running on three cyclinders!
not to sure how long! what kind of damage can this cause? it was running good, but the last week or two its been a little boggy and seems to run hot, now i know why
i dont know where to start, can someone help me out on this? all conections are good and clean, and plugs are new, battery fully charged and timing is spot on!
i ran it for a few minutes up and down the road and saw the #4 cyc.. was the suspect (exhaust not hot)
im thinking of new coils, and just want the o.e.m ones for now, cause after this season it comming apart for a rebuild (810cc kit)

any help will be graetfuly appreciated

oh and does any one have a set of stock coils for sale really cheap?
(1977 kz650 b-1 all stock)

New coils?
If the coil is working for Cyc. #1 what makes you think it is not working for Cyc. #4?

not to sure what it is, but i hope it is a easy fix!

Easy is always nice. Did you change the spark plug for four or maybe even swap it for another see if the problem moves?

If its firing on one and not four then it can't be the coil. You might try tracing it back starting at the plug. Take them all out turn it over and check for spark. they all should fire with about the same intensity. If the plug works properly then check the plug wire for breaks. If you find one you can buy a splicer from z1enerprises.com. If it's getting fire
then the only thing left is fuel. lots of luck! It might not have done any damage, however there is the possibility of washing the cylinder walls. You migh want to check compression on that cylinder. The old shde tree way is to put your finger over the plug hole and turn it over, it should suck your finger down and then blow it away forcefully.

Post edited by: Whirl, at: 2006/07/29 18:57

ok, ill check compression w/ gauge and then move along to the rest of the ignition parts, wires, caps and plugs
the plugs are new, and i did swap out the old plugs and it stayed w/ # 4 cyclinder!
i think its my plug caps need replacing! can that cause the misfire or no fire?
the number# 4 cap has a small crack ,and i (accidently) touched it while it was running and ZAPP!!! i got it real good, so i know it has power! lol!
ill replace the caps and see if that fixs it.
i should be able to touch the caps when its running and NOT get a zapp right! if not, then thats where i need to start!!

From what you just said about #4 cap cracked and getting zapped when you touched it I'd be surprised if replacement of the plug cap did'nt fix the problem.

ok, i went and got new plug boots, but still not firing!
only thing now is that thw plug wire it-self is bad and arching on gas tank, frame, or just a bad wire. but it dose shock me if i touch it!

it only seems to be #4, not #1
so its not the coil!

i guess ill have to get splicer and new wires and try that!

as i said before i got new plugs and all conections are clean, battery @12.5 volts and current to coils is around 12.1 v