RF not liking the wet weather

[riffer]

Yeah, I know it's a problem known to RF900's.

So, its pissing down today, and the bike (surprise) is running on two cylinders.

So what's the fix? I'm thinking of ripping off the tank when I get home, and drying off the leads, and RTV'ing the tops of the spark plug leads.

But I'm thinking, the coils are also under the tank, aren't they? (can't remember).

Anyone got any better suggestions? Do I need to silicone the coils as well?

[James Deuce]

Plug the inlet manifolds on the two cylinders that aren't firing - think of the gas you'll save!

That probably didn't help really, did it?

[John]

Doesnt the water get into the plug sump bits :|?
edit: I am a dumbass, you already know the problem just need a fix.

I have no idea sorry never worked with those bikes before sorry, would imagine they would be under the tank, they should be fine though - unless your in some of those freak hurricanes just plug up the spark end

[riffer]

Plug the inlet manifolds on the two cylinders that aren't firing - think of the gas you'll save!

That probably didn't help really, did it?

Funnily enough it has the same sound and performance as a KZ440 at the moment

[vifferman]

Riffer, I had a similar problem with the VTR1000: whenever the roads were wet, it would run on one cylinder. It didn't matter what I did (sprayed everything with silicon, etc.), it still happened. In the rain, it was almost unrideable (imagine a two-cylinder bike, running on 1.2 cylinders, in peak traffic.)

Then by chance, on the Murkn "Supahock" forum, there was a guy who had misfiring problems on his VTR, and took it into the shop. They found one of the plug boots had a very small crack in the rubber. Replaced the boot, the problem went. So, I checked mine, and it too had a crack in the rubber boot, which looked like it had come from the boot being pushed onto the plug terminal thereby ripping it. The weird thing is I couldn't see how this would make any difference: the boot was a snug fit inside the sparkplug well, and the crack was closed when the boot was on.

But, I changed the boot, and the problem disappeared.

I'm not saying this is the case with yours, but it would pay to check the plug leads and other sparky bits for any source of shorting occuring when the weather is damp.

[mangell6]

Never had any problems with my RF regarding wet weather and I commuted to work in some atrotious (sp?) weather. Could be one of the coils getting 'moisture' or dieing.

[ManDownUnder]

Riffer - depends who you talk to.

Some swear by a bit of high temp silicone (or summat like that) round the top of the plug boot. I must admit I just keep m,ine out of the rain (I ride it in the rain no worries - but she goes to bed OUT of the rain).

Make sure the engine gets hot when you put it away too. The water vapouriuses and pressure from the steam will blow it out from the plug well.

I know the sound you mean and it's a pain. Mine was fitting and farting on 2 cylinders even when I kept it under a car cover... actually out of the rain seems to be the only thing for it.

MDU

[MacD]

Yeah, I know it's a problem known to RF900's.

So, its pissing down today, and the bike (surprise) is running on two cylinders.

So what's the fix? I'm thinking of ripping off the tank when I get home, and drying off the leads, and RTV'ing the tops of the spark plug leads.

But I'm thinking, the coils are also under the tank, aren't they? (can't remember).

Anyone got any better suggestions? Do I need to silicone the coils as well?

I had the same problem with my RF at the beginning of last winter. The problem seems to be twofold. The right-hand coil and leads seem to get wet when the bike is on the side-stand in rain because there is sufficient gap between the tank and frame for rain to splash in. Also the drain holes at the bottom of the plug channels block up and trap water. If you look carefully there is a small exit aperture just under where each header bolts on. Try clearing these by probing with some wire from the outside.

A good clean up of the coils, leads and plug caps and a good dose of CRC/WD40 helped my bike. I didn't bother siliconing the plug caps in. So far I haven't had any hassles this winter.

Watch out that you don't drop any of the rubber mounts into the engine bay when you take the tank off too, I spent a good while fishing mounts out of the hidden recesses of the bike!

[dss3]

I also have had this problem on the TL, only when iy is REALLY pissing down. Like you say running on one cylinder and then having the second fire into life half way around a corner when you have the throttle wound right on is not fun!

I will check my rubber boot thingymy tonight, other than that I figure if there is that much rain on the road I shouldn't be riding!

Keep us posted.

_daryl

[F5 Dave]

coils are nestled right up by the steering head on either side. Can't say I've ever had a problem on the RF, but good tip on the spark plug drain holes.

[riffer]

Thanks guys.

Lots of help there.

[Sniper]

So you fix it ok?

[F5 Dave]

So you fix it ok?

Since 8 o'clock this morning?


Good point, yeah -so have you fixed it yet you slacker?

[Skunk]

I figure he's had 4 hours now, just to clean out some holes.
Must be done and he's out testing it.

[vifferman]

Some swear by a bit of high temp silicone (or summat like that) round the top of the plug boot.

You need to be careful with silicon, as sometimes trying to make things absolutely watertight makes them worse, because if you leave even the slightest gap water will get suked in by capillary action (AND stay put!) whereas with bigger gaps, the water doesn't usually get in. This might've been why the crack in the plug boot was a problem.