Mechanical faliure in Puerto Arenas - need help!

**stevenaive** · #1 2nd November 2008

Hi. I have broken down, and unfortunately know very little about bike mechanics (and its a holiday weekend so everthing is closed!)
Backstory: bike fell over during ferry crossing and was doused with waves in the rough sea. refused to start on docking, but eventually got it running by heating spark plugs (push start and jump leads failed, changing plug failed). next day, refused to start again, battery now too weak from trying all sorts, any suggestions? anyone know of a place in punta arenas for moto repairs? also need to get side stand welded as it was bent and destroyed when bike fell over.
Any help will be hugely appreciated.

steve

**Honybadger** · #2 2nd November 2008

So obvious you've problem eliminated it, have you bypassed the side stand switch to eliminate that if the sidestand itself is damaged?
Best of luck.

**stevenaive** · #3 2nd November 2008

Sidestand shoudn't be afecting the starting - its just buckled out sideways and needs welding. the spring which keeps it up out of the way is fine, as is the safety shut off. thanks for suggestion.

**mollydog** · #4 2nd November 2008

Diesel will save your motor but you MUST act quickly!!

**Tenere Tom** · #5 2nd November 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mollydog

First remove your battery and get it on a charger ... do it now.

1. Drain Oil
2. Remove and Drain Gas tank (dispose of old gas), flush gas tank with Diesel, drain, flush with Gas, drain, let dry.
3. Flood crankcase with Diesel. Put in spark plug hole too. Kick bike over
or crank starter motor, leave plugs OUT!! Drain Diesel out, turn bike upside down if needed. GET ALL DIESEL OUT. Diesel will displace water in motor/trans.

4. Drain Carb bowl.
Pull carb off or totally flood with Diesel, drain and now flood with gasoline,
drain. Diesel will help displace water and prevent corrosion from salt
water which can act very quickly on bearings and Aluminum.

Use WD40 (if available) or equivalent on all electrics, switches. Pull apart all multi-pin connectors and spray with WD40. Pull apart every other connection, flush with WD40 or Diesel. Clean after with clean spirits and blow out. (MEK or Brake cleaner)

Blow out (air hose) and clean and dry everything. Carefully re-assemble everything noting hose routing, electrical routing and connections.

Re-fill with fresh oil. Add a gallon or two of known to be good gasoline.

Clean and dry off plugs, install.
Crank it up on your now charged up battery.

This will work. I've saved totally submerged bikes doing the above. Even outboard motors that fell overboard while running!

Diesel will save your motor but you MUST act quickly!!

Patrick

I'm impressed!!!

This should be made a 'sticky'

**lecap** · #6 3rd November 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tenere Tom

I'm impressed!!!

This should be made a 'sticky'

I seem to remember Patrick working as a professional antarctic outboard engine drowner and fixer in a previous life

**bruken** · #7 3rd November 2008

Salt water in electronics will also create numerous shorts.

**mollydog** · #8 3rd November 2008

On bikes, during my Enduro racing days, I drowned my Yam 250-WR two strokes a few times.

**pbekkerh** · #9 4th November 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mollydog

Right you are!

I managed to drop a running outboard (brand new) off the back of a Zodiac in a rough surf loading. Totally my fault. (I did go swimming in below zero C water, it was fine after a full flushing with Diesel!)

:

I dropped a running outboard, but kept my grip on it, while it was running crazy in the water. I eventually got it stopped and back on board, without any water in it :-)