Author Topic: My bike doesnt like getting wet!! - 2 cylinders at 80-mph (Read 3800 times)

benallenuk · « **on:** April 06, 2006, 08:50:03 AM »

Hi guys, I’ve got a ’96 V/VS bandit 4; I’ve recently changed the air-filter (cartridge type) and changed the HT leads for some ‘cut your own’. I used the existing plug sockets and remembered to seal all the joints with the little rubber boots. I’ve securely screwed the ht cable into the coils.

My problem is that if the bike gets wet, i.e. stood without the cover in the rain it will refuse to start. If I’m riding and it starts to rain, the bike might misfire, but the worse situation is if it has been raining and I’m riding back home down the motorway, spray from large cars or trucks makes the bike misfire after about 10-15 minutes of riding in the spray mist!, it’ll drop 1 cylinder, then 2 cylinders and this is when cruising at 80mph, the bikes completely dies at low revs, so I have to rev’s it like crazy if I get to some lights.

1st question is:

Will running on 2 cylinders for 15miles kill my engine?

2nd question:

What’s causing the bike to fire on 2 cylinders? Someone suggested the coils may have splits in them (they look in good nick), or that water is getting into the plug hole, but I have the rubber seals around them.

Cheers

Ben

Farre · « **Reply #1 on:** April 06, 2006, 12:50:18 PM »

That's exactly what i was experiencing, what i did was replace the ht coils too and seal em up with vaseline (I use it for my bike!). I noticed what was happening as soon as i tried to touch one of the leads with the engine running, got some heavy spark on my finger! The sparks were going everywhere except to the spark plug!

My advice: Try to seal all the gaps between your rubber and the leads with vaseline

Katamaniac · « **Reply #2 on:** April 07, 2006, 03:02:04 PM »

I wold use Dielectric Grease instead of Vasoline. Vasoline will get very thin and run everwhere once it warms up. It will also break down over time.

The Dielectric Grease will serve two purposes; first it will make a good water resistant seal, and two it will stop any corrosion from happening.

Red01 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 07, 2006, 04:43:12 PM »

I just LOVE dielectric grease,

but if you don't have any, or are too cheap to spring for some, petroleum jelly (Vasolene) will do the trick, just don't get too crazy with it (Vasolene) and the mess will be less.

PitterB4 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 07, 2006, 08:57:03 PM »

Quote from: "Red01"

I just LOVE dielectric grease,

Just please don't ask him why he has a little tube of the stuff on his nightstand.

interfuse · « **Reply #5 on:** April 07, 2006, 11:54:27 PM »

Quote from: "PitterB4"

Just please don't ask him why he has a little tube of the stuff on his nightstand.

I'll also not ask how YOU know.

gsxr400 racer · « **Reply #6 on:** April 08, 2006, 11:49:55 AM »

(70's show) BUUUUUUUURRRRRRNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

benallenuk · « **Reply #7 on:** April 08, 2006, 07:37:48 PM »

Cheers for the tips guys! I have bought some HT lead, gonna make me some new leads tommorow. Cant afford new caps or plug at present. Hopefully this will sort my problem.

Thanks

Ben

Krautwagen · « **Reply #8 on:** April 09, 2006, 03:41:28 AM »

Before you randomly start sealing things, you should find out where the problems are. Grab a spray bottle, fill it with water, and start the bike up at night, turn out any lights, and start spraying the ignition system down methodically. When it starts to miss and you can see sparks, thats where your problem is. Seal it up there.

benallenuk · « **Reply #9 on:** April 10, 2006, 01:46:03 PM »

Ive made some new HT leads, have used instant gasket sealer where the ht cables go into the coils. I will take ur advice withthe bottle if this doesnt work.

Thanks

Ben