Ooops, got my ignition system wet in the car wash

[Asphalt_Apologies]

HI, I'm new to the board.   Was just out riding my new used 2002 around town for some mid winter rides.  There's still lots of snow around but the roads are clean and clear.  There was some salt and crud building up so I thought I'd give it a quick wand wash... I thought I was being carefull but it seems like I've got water in a bad place.    One of my cylinders firing  intermittant now.

Is there a quick fix for this?

Thanks

[cummuterguy]

remove the right side cover plate (small round one held on by the 7mm bolts)  look to see if it got wet in there, dry as needed.

If its completely dry, park the bike in the dark, running in neutral, on the sidestand, get off and look for any sparks around the wires, coils etc... fix as required.

[Asphalt_Apologies]

Thanks

I'll do that... the best part of a twin is having two cylinders firing.

Cheers

Gary

[Rema1000]

What kind of car wash?  I've been thinking of going to one of those "do-it-yourself" car washes.  I think I could wash by hand, then rinse with the "final rinse" setting on the sprayer, which seems to be pretty low-pressure.

Probably like you, I have no-where at home or work to wash the bike that is above freezing.

[Asphalt_Apologies]

it's just a regular wand wash.  Once I get the water out of that ignition area I'm going to try to figure out how to seal that area somehow.  

To keep the wands from freezing the car wash leaves a small amount of water running through them at all times during the winter months.  This low presure constant stream would be perfect for delicate washing.  (and that part is free!)

My previous bikes (a Nighthawk and a couple of Kawasaki's) didn't seem to care where I sprayed water.   I've got to get my twin into that same space.

Cheers

Gary

[Frost]

just spray some WD-40 on the sparkplug well...it'll displace water and shoudl fire again

[gsJack]

I've washed my bikes in the magic wand type car washes for 20 years.  Soapy water wash, rinse with clear water, and towel off with a paper towel.  Did 4 hondas and my current 2 GSs that way.

The only problem I ever had with water and ignition was getting it into the spark plug caps.  Used to have to pull the caps off the plugs and dry them off inside to get bike started on Hondas.  Haven't had much trouble with the water in  the plug caps on the GSs though.  Different design caps.

If you got a cylinder misfiring after wash, look for water in the spark plug caps first.

[Rema1000]

I've washed my bikes in the magic wand type car washes for 20 years.  Soapy water wash, rinse with clear water, and towel off with a paper towel.

I think the car wash I go to has a "low pressure prewash" setting on the wand, and a "soapy wash" setting using a separate brush attachment (is that what you're talking about Jack?).  Then there is a "high pressure wash" setting on the wand, which I'm guessing is _not_ bike safe (too much pressure?), and a low-pressure final rinse which should work fine.

Do you hose-down the chain?  I could spray it with a degreaser, then hose it down with the rest of the bike, and re-lube when done.

It looks like NE Ohio has similar weather to Minnesota this month... alternating weeks of snow and slush, with the occasional day or two of dry clear roads.

[gsJack]

I just use the full pressure setting all the way, starting with soapy setting and then switch to rinse setting.  The pressure knocks most of the dirt off of bike and the bugs off of windshield, headlight,  and mirror backs, etc.  No brushes or attachments.

I push it outside and wipe it off afterwards.  The paper towel takes the rest of the dirt off and bike looks good enough for me.  

Always take care not to shoot the pressurized water into the wheel bearings, muffler, etc.    And 70-80  mph in heavy rain will give it more pressurized water spray than the car wash does.   :lol:

About my chains, I just don't clean them.  When the rollers look shinny, I just lube some more.  Clean the lube off the wheel everytime I take it off to get the tire changed.  Guess I'm not as fussy with my bikes as some are.   :dunno:   If it's nice enough out to work on the bike, it's nice enough to go ride it instead.

[Kerry]

I just use the full pressure setting all the way, starting with soapy setting and then switch to rinse setting.
[...]
I push it outside and wipe it off afterwards.
[...]
Always take care not to shoot the pressurized water into the wheel bearings, muffler, etc.

Ditto.

[Rema1000]

OK, the car wash worked well... that's the second time my bike has been washed in 2 years .  I used the "engine/tire" setting to spray thick degreaser on the engine and wheels .  It still didn't get all the black dust/goo off the wheels, but it was a good start.  Also, it did a good job degreasing the exposed part of the chain, so I was worried about chain wear on the way home.  Next time, I'll be sure to bring chain oil with me.

My fears about wet electricals were not borne-out.  Note to others: if you stand back 4 feet or so, the pressure wash is really pretty mild.


Stuff to bring:
$2 in quarters
water spray bottle (to pre-moisten wheels)
Simple Green or other biodegradeable degreaser (to spray on the moistened wheels)
Viva, or other soft paper towels

[Kerry]

 

[sprint_9]

Stuff to bring:
$2 in quarters
water spray bottle (to pre-moisten wheels)
Simple Green or other biodegradeable degreaser (to spray on the moistened wheels)
Viva, or other soft paper towels

You forgot about the chain lube.

[nathanael]

One way to avoid the problem is just to not wash your bike at all :lol:  I haven't washed mine since I've owned it. I have cleaned the mirrors with windex though so I can see!  I figure it washes itself when I ride in the rain. Plus it makes it less likely to get stolen if it's not all bright and shiny all the time

[gsJack]

It still didn't get all the black dust/goo off the wheels, but it was a good start.  Also, it did a good job degreasing the exposed part of the chain, so I was worried about chain wear on the way home.  Next time, I'll be sure to bring chain oil with me.

An hours ride in heavy rain will take all the lube off the chain.  The rollers will be bright and shinny afterwards.  Don't worry about the chain wear on the way home, o-ring chains have all the lube sealed inside them that they need.  The lube we put on the o-ring chains is for the benefit of the sprockets mostly.

When you get home, just throw the bike up on the center stand and lube the chain.  If you want to get all that black lube and dirt off the rear wheel, just give it a good spray on the wheel and tire with WD-40 and wipe it off with a rag.  Cleans off excess chain lube quickly and easily.