Rainman

[dmp221]

I'm hoping to get some feedback from the ladies and gentlemen on the board regarding two water-incidents I've had in the last 4 days.   First, a few days ago, I washed the GS and hosed, and dried it.  When I went to start it, it barely started, then idled very poorly.  No worries, I assumed I had forced some water to where it shouldn't be.  I waited a few minutes, tried again and she started right up and ran fine.

TONIGHT...I rode home from work in moderately heavy rain  (puddles on the road).  GOOD NEWS: my new Frogg Toggs worked great  :lol: .  BAD NEWS: about 3 miles from home, the GS started sputtering, hesitating, and lurching.  :x  I nursed it home, let it stand about 10 minutes, and again, she started right up and idled smooth.

Soooo...I'm guessing that water is getting to where it shouldn't be.  Definitely.  Ignition system??  Fuel system??  Any thoughts, or similar experiences?  Do I have a sunshine-only bike??  Thanks in advance.

Oh, and once again, good luck and speedy recoveries to GS Jack and Vegbiker...glad you are both OK.

[john]

My guess would be wet spark plug wires.  maybe you should consider replacing them OR at least buy some dielectric silicone and goop the spark plug boot (helps prevent the spark from shorting on the head).

[Sideshow]

My uncle's SV has a problem like this.  But his is always worse.  In a hard rain, some fuel manages to leak past the gas cover and into the tank.  Fuel filters in the tank are designed to only let the fuel, with a lower viscosity, pass while the water clogs up the filter.  Remove tank, empty fuel, spray filter/petcock assembly, reinstall.

Problem fixed?  No not so much.  Because when you are riding, your pulling vacuum which sucks some of the water into the carbs, and into the engine.  Not enough to hydrolock, just enough to make it not run because, well, water droplets don't combust with a spark plug firing.

So basically the SV run like crap until you get the water out.  This involves putting your hand over the carb inlets and cranking over and over until all the water is out and either on your hand or out the exhaust.

I only write all of this in case you have water getting into your fuel and so you will know what to do if that time comes.  Good luck!  Check them plugs, first!

[dmp221]

Interesting.  I let the GS dry thoroughly overnight, then sprayed & wiped WD40 all around plug wires and plugs.  Rode to work this morning(moderate rain again, so this was a good experiment) with no problems (phew).  If there was water in the fuel, I'd still get sputtering and hesitation, so I'm inclined to go with the wet wires/plugs theory.  I like the idea of using some kind of non-conductive waterproof glop around the plugs, to occlude water completely.  Will hit the parts-store tomorrow.

[dmp221]

Did I say NON-conductive..I mean conductive (dielectric grease)...also thought about checking for a soggy air filter if this happens again.

[The Buddha]

Its electric...Why??? water in gas will let a hot motor run and actually not hurt it either. Carbs will let in water and so will the fuel filter and air filter, water naturally sinks in gas so you'll end up using up the rain getting in your tank at almost the same rate you take it in, and effectively it will run for hours in the rain once it gets hot. You wont even feel a difference that much at speed. Now water on electrics...intersting, the first chance it gets electricity will find a short cut to jumping the plug gap by cutting across the water to the head. Of course the electricity running through the water will heat it and it will vaporize in a few mins but there is always more where that came from in the case of rain.
Cool.
Srinath.

[dmp221]

Interesting thoughts...my friend, who does a lot of motocross, preps bikes by using this dielectric grase right in and around the plugs.  He says it's so you keep the connections water-free, but do not lose conductivity.  Kinda makes sense.  Of course, my friend has hit his head racing a few times, too... :lol: