Washed Bike - refused to start

[JediGoat]

<Avert eyes - all proud, shiny bike owners>

Now, I accept this may be a dumb question, but.......

Yesterday, for once in it's life, my bike got a wash. Actually to be truthful, it's been washed once before, with a hose, but seeing as Thames Water has a hosepipe ban, this time it was done with a bucket, sponge, and a watering can for rinsing.

After semi-carefully, getting rid of most of the dirt (including my famous slap-dash Muc-off treatment to only the bits of the wheels that are immedialtely visible :oops: ) I tried to start the little fella up.

One slight cough, and then the starter motor chugging like as trooper was all I got. I kept trying (with and without throttle), but to no avail. And seeing as the regulator may be faulty, I didn't want to push the issue and kill the battery.

So, I followed the only mechanical knowledge I have....wait until tomorrow and try again! :oops: I assumed that I'd soaked the spark plugs (complete guess) and if I let them dry out it'd be ok.

So this morning, needed to get up to hertfordshire, go to start up....starter motor turns over...minor tickle on the first go...then just the starter motor spinning. Tried quarter throttle, then half throttle, then full throttle.......get a splutter. Went all guns blazing full throttle again and it fired.

Is it possible to cause this much of a faff just by washing the bike a little carelessly? Or could this relate to the problems I've had before:
http://forums.sv650.org/viewtopic.php?t=34976

Any advice appreciated, because firstly, I ain't got a clue, secondly I ain't got no mechanical knowledge, and thirdly, if this is a taste of things to come, I may never wash my bike again!

</Avert eyes>

Ta
Jo -> mechanicophobe

[Peter Henry]

Every chance that you soaked the front plug mate. I am never one for lashing water at a bike when cleaning it and maybe more damp sponge or cloth rather than throwing water at it might prevent the problem next time.

Many of the guys have taken to sealing the front plug in with some silicone sealant which seems a good idea to me. Easily peel off again when you actually want to remove the plug in future.Apply the silicone from the bottom of the plug all the way up and an inch or so up over the cap and to about an inch up the cable itself would be my way. Dont be scared of slapping it on as it cant do any harm.(All of that with the plug screwed in to the engine of course :wink: )

Pop down to B ans Q as any common or garden silicone should do the job to my thinking.

[JediGoat]

Peter

Thanks for the reply mate.

It's sounds like it's as I thought.....a little over exuberant on the cleaning front (note: read - lazy water chucking approach)

Will promise to refrain from cleaning ever again :D :D :D

Ta
Jo

[Peter Henry]

Don't go that far mate,you got to keep it looking good. It is just one of those rare annoying things that can upset the SV though. If you do the silicone thing you might not need to fit a "fender extender" which basically is an extension to the front mudguard which prevents so much water spraying back on the plug if you ride in the rain.

Me I dont do rain mate! :wink:

[BILLY]

I wash my bike reguarly and use a power washer to rince it and never have a prob starting afterwards :!: :!:

[Peter Henry]

Billy...I guess it is just a case of luck of the draw. Plenty of guys and girls have suffered this problem,others have been lucky not to.

[JediGoat]

I used my power washer last time, with no probs. But the young fella has been a bit temperamental of late :?

[socommk23]

dont wash it!
use house hold polish!
quick and convienient and looks good too!

[medwaysv]

used to have same problem when washing mine. this was before i joined this site
it would run fine b4 washing but run like a dog after a good clean, its all thanks to the good people here that i found out what the problem was.
instead of greasing the front plug cap i wrapped a bit of plumbers white ptfe tape round my front plug lead..fantastic,and no rough running when we have a downpour

[GSXR Carlos]

used to have same problem when washing mine. this was before i joined this site
it would run fine b4 washing but run like a dog after a good clean, its all thanks to the good people here that i found out what the problem was.
instead of greasing the front plug cap i wrapped a bit of plumbers white ptfe tape round my front plug lead..fantastic,and no rough running when we have a downpour

that's not a bad alternative :wink:

[Valman]

You can use a hosepipe to wash a bike :D , but you can not use it to wash a private car or anything towed by a car, like a trailer or caravan. You may not water private land either, but you can use a hosepipe to fill a bucket or even a swimming pool if you want.

[mart]

sounds like you flooded the engine but not with water and you done right to hold the throttle open fully and keep firing the engine till you burn off all the extra juice. the only bit to watch out for is the clutch switch underneath the clutch leaver too much water in this will damage it and then the bike will not start unless you bypass it or replace it. plugs and so on have a little more protection to them so washing even with a power hose shouldn't effect them too much and a little bit of grease arround the front plug cap will stop any water that may get in there

[Blue_SV650S]

I agree with mart, sounds like you flooded it. However as you first thought and others have said, you probably got the front plug wet. This in turn meant it wouldn’t fire, hence the flooding.

Suggestions have been made to try and avoid the front plug issue, but even easyer way is to spray lashings of WD40 around the plug cap/lead area. And to warm the bike up before you clean it. You don’t want to be putting cold water on a red-ers engine, so obviously not talking straight after a long ride or anything!! But the heat in the engine will help evaporate the water off better/quicker.

That and the WD40 helping prevent it getting a hold in the first place should see you right :)

I took mine down the jetwash the other week, I left the bike running as I knew I’d get too keen with the lance :) It did start to run a bit lumpy, but soon sorted itself out!! :)

For goodness sake don’t let this experience put you off cleaning it (him?!?! :D).

[madmal]

interesting thread. never had a problem with washing bike then starting it (running rough), like suggested, possibly flooded. i keep the front plug sprayed in wd40 all time/fenda ex-fitted...does job :wink:

[JediGoat]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I reckon I was a little over generous on the rinsing.

For goodness sake don’t let this experience put you off cleaning it (him?!?! :D).

I doubt it'll have much impact on my frequency of bike washing - about once every six months at best :oops:

And yes, when my bike behaves itself, it's an 'it', when it's got a strop on, it's a 'he'. :lol:

Ta
Jo

[plowsie]

Hi guys, got a serious problem, started my 2001 sv650s up normally, choke on because engine was cold. Noticed also that i was low on petrol, all of a sudden the engine was warming up i revved it because it sounded like it was going to cut out, i did this and it cut out. I tried to restart it choke off and i could hear the starter turning but no engine start, i did the same choke on same result, my instinct was the battery is flat as the lights were very dim aswell, i thought also lack of petrol mybe the problem. Went to grab some fuel but was 5 hours and had forgot to turn the choke off :cry:. Filled the tank back up 5 hours later realising my stupidness then, i go to start the bike no starter turning on full or off choke.


My instincts tell me that the tit i am i have flattened the battery and in my ****ishness have flooded the engine. I would be grateful for sugestions. Even if it is top myself cos it will be cheaper.

Thanks guys

Stu

[bobit69]

Idea... Put the battery on charge for an hour and start her, after that it should charge itself. Unless the battery is sha**ed!!! You shouldn't be able to flood the engine, turn the petrol off untill you start if you are worried!

Also a good call to check the rectifier......!

[BILLY]

The only way to turn the petrol off on an SV is to lift the tank and pull the vacuum pipe off the pet ****!!

[plowsie]

thanks for the help was the battery :D

[Grinch]

Don't forget... at the front is a drain hole for the front plug, if this is blocked any water that did get in to the plug won't drain out. As it can get filled up with dirt and other such things, so give a check... push something long a thin up it.

[plowsie]

whats the best way to get to that please?