spark plug cap.

[d3ano]

hi i need some advice on the above.
With my bike, as soon as it rain, it cuts out because rain get pass the cap and onto the plug (i assume, i have no real knowledge of this)
so i have to take the cap out give it a shake and then i am able to ride about 1/2 a mile before more water gets in there and it cuts out again.
I noticed that on the top of the cap there are small holes all the way round and this is where there rain is probably getting in.
If i covered the whole cap with greese or vasaline (sp?) would this have any affect on the plug?
I am assuming that air needs to get in there or fumes need to get out.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks

D3

[cazzo]

Get a new cap - only about 2 or 3 quid

Seriously it could be breaking down, my kids have a Quad which was playing up and obviously electrical I suspected coil, plug etc turned out the plug cap was knacked - changed it cured the problem and the 'better' quality (£3) caps have a rubber seal to keep the water out.

[Graham Lunn]

Change the cap for sure, try and get a Champion spark plug cap, metal caps tend to short out

[d3ano]

stupid question, but where can i get a cap from?

[Pigeon]

Car spares place
Half-rods, unless they've got crapper than I'd have believed possible
Scrappie
Abandoned/dumped car
Mate with shed full of dead bikes
...the list goes on...

[cazzo]

d3ano said:

stupid question, but where can i get a cap from?

Motorbike dealer/mechanic, car spares shop, nick one off your car.. but get the 'premium' (Champion or similar) one for the extra quid or so, coz the cheap ones are cr@p.

edited to add; but don't pull the cap off the plug while the engine's running

>> Edited by cazzo on Wednesday 30th June 20:05

[bennyboysvuk]

Mate, this happens with SV650s too. Standing water gets thrown up by the front wheel straight at the front cylinder. After a few miles, it becomes too much and the front cylinder spark plug gives up the ghost.

Best bet is to put a guard over the front cylinder to protect it from water being splashed at it. I used a piece of plastic cut from an Evian plastic water bottle. Cheap, tacky maybe, but it certainly works on the race bike.

Cheers,

Ben

[d3ano]

how do you stick it on though.
As the bike is air cooled, i fear that the heat from the small rad on the front will melt the plastic.

[fergus]

d3ano said:

how do you stick it on though. As the bike is air cooled, i fear that the heat from the small rad on the front will melt the plastic.

D3ano,

I hate to piss on your fire, but air cooled engines don't have rads, as these type of engines are referred to as 'water-cooled'. Small technical point there. (unless of course you are referring to an oil cooler)

In answer to your question, just use a thicker piece of plastic, e.g. from the side of a used oil container.

>> Edited by fergus on Thursday 1st July 17:47

[d3ano]

Well i know its air cooled as it states that in the manual and on the webpage, but above the engine block there is something that looks like a radiator and when this gets wet (after the engine has been running) steam comes off it.
So whats that then?

I need a digital camera so that i can so you a pic.

[Pigeon]

Yep, oil cooler.