| Author | Message | ||
     Fltwistygirl |
So, like a dummy, I decided to spend a couple extra hours visiting with friends and stuffing my face with Lasagna on Sunday. In retrospect, a wiser decision would have been heading the 60 miles north to mama's house right after my class to avoid the t-storms that were forecast. My last check of the radar looked like it was gonna be no big deal. I ride year round in Florida, and we get some tropical deluges which don't freak me out unless it involves cloud to ground lightning. As I was fueling up, I slapped on my rain gear and hoped for the best. About a quarter of the way home, rain became heavier and I was thankful for the rain gear. About halfway-I heard thunder and saw some threatening clouds and felt the wind pick up. I thought about pulling into a gas station and waiting it out, but plugged on. About three quarters it was raining so hard I had to slow to about 45 mph. Then it happened: I felt a loss of power. I did a quick scan to make sure it was safe to pull over. I pulled onto the shoulder and put the bike in neutral. Left it running, def. one cylinder. I knew there was a rest area 2 miles up the road, decided to try to make it there. Made it, ran inside, found the maintenance man, and asked if I could pull it on the sidewalk where it would be under cover. No problem, called my hubby, had him check badweb. Seems likely it was the water in the scoop problem. I left it alone for about 10 minutes, then started it up and let it run til the fan came on. Decided to ride it the last leg home. THe roads were starting to dry, and about 10 minutes into it, the 2nd cylinder kicked in and it took off like a bat outta h e double tooth picks. My question: My "regular" mechanic may or may not have time to give it the once over when he is delivering the Uly to me up there. What things can I look for to make sure she is well after all this. Moisture near clutch cable, plug wires, etc? Also, what is the deal with people putting a rag in the scoop when it rains? How big of a rag, what material, etc? Thanks for your help! | ||
| Hammer71 |
I bet the scoop had nothing to do with it. Check the front sparkplug boot and make sure it's seated and throw some dilectic grease in there as added protection. | ||
| Froggy |
The plug wire is the culprit. It either was poorly seated like Hammer mentions, or it could of rubbed through against the motor causing the spark to ground out while wet. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Thanks for the replies. Hopefully its just the plug wire. I'll prolly pack the service manual in case I have any further issues. I'm not the world's greatest wrencher, but I can usually figure minor stuff out and have mechanically inclined friends who may work for beer (afterwards  ). I have never had any issues like this while riding in the rain. Is there anything else besides seating the boot and slapping on some grease that I can do to avoid similar future problems on this bike (or the XT)? Thx. BeLinda. | ||
| Lovematt |
I had that problem on my '03...was fine when I bought it new and for about 7500 miles when the first hard rain occurred. It dried up and ran perfectly all by itself. I took off the front plug wire and it was rubbed through the insulation at the "bend" about 1/2" away from the plug tip. The wires were also the old style without the "fins" at the plug end (kind of like the cooling fins on the motor). I replaced them and have not had a single problem in the last 40,000+ on the same plug wires. | ||
| Hammer71 |
I had never had that issue until our headless horseman downpour. Though it's not something that happens often it is something to check from time to time. High heat and vibration doesn't help much either. My idea would be to pull airbox replace plugs and wires if the old wires have rub spots try and move them or wrap with some of that plastic wire cover(stuff you find in car engine bay). | ||
| Greg_e |
Check the wires on the input side to the coil too. One of those could have rubbed through and caused the same problem. | ||
| Chessm |
+1 on the spark plug wire...i had almost the exact same thing happen to me. |
