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Message started by franch on 01/03/07 at 09:21:09

Title: easy way to make plug cap leak worse
Post by franch on 01/03/07 at 09:21:09

last september i sprayed my engine with degreaser and hosed it down with high pressure water to get rid of some oily grime from the plug cap leak. I sprayed real good into the head opening where the plug cap sits and am pretty sure the high pressure water pushed the plug cap upwards a little / widened the poorly sealed area of the cap cause after that she began leaking like a seive.

Title: Re: easy way to make plug cap leak worse
Post by Greg_650 on 01/03/07 at 09:42:41

That proves that a dirty bike leaks less than a clean bike.

:)

Title: Re: easy way to make plug cap leak worse
Post by RadarORiley on 01/03/07 at 10:59:41

Thanks for the advice Greg. Jr. tried to buy me a "Master Blaster" for Christmas. I told him not to waste his money, I rarely wash the little Sumbeach, Once a year seems to be sufficient, it drives me crazy to have to wait until they get their bikes clean so we can go ride. I do wipe it down to keep it looking good but have seen too many "stuck" at the car wash or detailers trying to find out why it won't start.

Title: Re: easy way to make plug cap leak worse
Post by bentwheel on 01/03/07 at 11:27:07

RadarORiley wrote:

I rarely wash the little Sumbeach, Once a year seems to be sufficient,

You know what? I wish some times I could be like that. I am always detailing my stuff. Even when I had dirt bikes, I kept them spotless between rides. I always say "someday I am going to build a rat bike," but my friends tell me that will never happen. Scheese, it's a curse I tell ya.

Title: Re: easy way to make plug cap leak worse
Post by Greg_650 on 01/03/07 at 11:43:55

RadarORiley wrote:

That's funny too...I've always used car washes on my bikes, and have never had a problem.

I do have my own little steps, though...I spray the tires and wheels first, while the engine cools. Then I slowly start spraying the engine gradually so that I don't shock it (don't know if it matters...what happens in the rain after all?)...and all the time I try not to totally saturate areas that might be vulnerable like intakes and wiring.

If you think about it...if you ever get caught in a downpour, with all that water at road speed that splashes off the front tire... What's the problem?

I've only had 1 bike stall from getting too wet...but you could only see the handlbars when that happened :)

Title: Re: easy way to make plug cap leak worse
Post by Rockin_John on 01/03/07 at 11:45:32

franch wrote:

Thanks for the timely advise / reminder. My '87 has a slight leak at the cap plug, and I was actually considering taking it to the car wash today. This will be it's first bath since I've owned it. It was almost certian that I would have sprayed the area hard to get the oil off. I DON'T want to get mine started leaking worse right now, as I was hoping to get a few more rides in before tearing into it for routine maintenence and modifications during the worst of winter here (Jan-Feb).

The amount of mods I can pull off this winter are limited by a pretty short budget this year though. Anyone need to buy a guitar? I'm sitting on over 40 now, and only about 10-12 do I really consider "mine." Got a couple of amps to spare too. About time to hit eBait and convert guitars into motorcycle money. :D

Title: Re: easy way to make plug cap leak worse
Post by steelwolf on 01/03/07 at 16:31:37

I found that a can of engine degreaser and a garden hose with no sprayer worked fine taking the oil off till I got my plug leak fixed. HIH

Title: Re: easy way to make plug cap leak worse
Post by sparkett on 01/04/07 at 17:33:45

just use a spray bottle with fast orange. let her soak a few min and rinse with the hose. finish with a blow dry ( courtesy of the leaf blower) 15 min tops!

Title: Re: easy way to make plug cap leak worse
Post by RadarORiley on 01/05/07 at 09:02:25

When I DO wash my bike I use one of the hose end sprayers made for applying fertilizer & such. I just add the car wash liquid & use a gentle spray, rinse, wipe & ride it dry. I only have so much time to ride & can't see wasting time detailing. If I was into detailing, I'd never get to ride. S-I-L thinks he has to have his bike spot free before we can ride, I tell him to dust off the tank area that he can see & let's go.
But when I was young & dumb I washed my car every night on the way in from work. Thought it improved my image, only exhausted my pocketbook. ???

Title: Re: easy way to make plug cap leak worse
Post by Greg_650 on 01/05/07 at 14:43:16

So, what's everyone one do if they're caught in the rain?

I've done 55-60 on the interstate in the pouring rain with the K&N filter....not a sputter or anything for over an hour of riding. Good old southern thunderstorm too. I know that everything was totally soaked. That front fender doesn't keep water off the engine, either.

The only thing that I notice is that the engine is classically cold blooded with all the water cooling.

I for one use a car wash...

Title: Re: easy way to make plug cap leak worse
Post by franch on 01/05/07 at 14:51:47

I use a car wash too I just don't spray hard into the cavity where that pesky little plug cap resides.

Title: Re: easy way to make plug cap leak worse
Post by vroom1776 on 01/05/07 at 14:58:22

Greg_650 wrote:

So, what's everyone one do if they're caught in the rain?

??????????????????????

Keep riding... duh!

;D

Title: Re: easy way to make plug cap leak worse
Post by Greg_650 on 01/05/07 at 14:59:17

Right. I don't spray things that are shielded like the electronics either. It's a matter of using the old noggin.

A car wash certainly takes some of the hard work out of getting in tight places.