Rubberised grease in plug caps

Carl Howell · Scooby Slapper Joined: 27 May 2008 Karma :

Once read in a magazine about SV650's front cylinder not firing and the cure was rubberised grease in the plug cap. Are you meant to fill them up or just round the seal or something? Also where do you get it from?

The bike isn't an SV but it starts behaving strangely in the rain with it cutting out if you don't hold the revs up and making a strange ticking noise. Its fine in the dry.

I plan on changing the plugs and plug caps soon anyway. Are plug caps universal, plug specific or bike specific?

Thanks, Carl

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

The actual cure with the SV650 is to extend the front mudguard to stop water going in there in the first place.

What bike do you have and how old is it?
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

Carl Howell · Scooby Slapper Joined: 27 May 2008 Karma :

It is a Yamaha FZX250 (FZR250 engine in a hornet type frame). It's 1993. The person who owned it before has put a plate up just above the exhaust to stop most of the water getting in but it still does in really bad rain or when I've washed it. It will still run but is quite rough and makes that ticking (sounds electrical) sound.

Finglonga · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Karma :

With the engine running at night or in a dark garage spray the HT leads and caps with water and look for the tell tale sparks. Chances are the HT leads will need replacing as they break down over time.
____________________
Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Water really shouldn't be much of an issue on an inline 4.

I wonder if your HT leads are in poor condition or if they have been badly routed?

By badly routed I mean I've had a bike that had trouble in the wet and cured it by altering the position of the HT leads so they looped back from the coil then forwards to the plugs.

If the HT leads themselves look damaged or cracked, might be worth replacing them (assuming they are of the detachable type).

There is a product on the market called "Holts damp start" which is designed to spray over the coils and HT leads to prevent water ingress.

If water is pooling in the sparkplug recesses, check any drain holes aren't blocked, there is often a very small drain hole that comes out the side of the cylinder head.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

Carl Howell · Scooby Slapper Joined: 27 May 2008 Karma :

I'm gonna need to strip it down one of the days. I need to get the tank and air box off to get to the plugs.

The whole area looks like its been sprayed with this black stuff (like oil but it's not) which I think someone else may have done to stop the problem.

Thanks, Carl