My 1999 TT600r Belgarda doesn't seem to like heavy rain.
Basically, in a heavy storm when cruising at above 50mph the bike starts to cough and splutter(as if it has hit the reserve fuel level) and then stops firing. Cranking the throttle open doesn't help, but it has started again a couple of times if i just leave it coasting along
After i stop, I leave it for a couple of minutes and then it kicks up fine.
It happened once in England in a massive downpour on the M1 at about 80 in the fast lane, but i figured i must have gone through a massive puddle and flooded it.
I had the problem again trail riding in Wales.
Now i'm in Vietnam in the rains and its getting to be a right pain.....
There doesn't seem to be lots of water in the airbox.
The rubber cover on the spark plug doesn't fit properly over it. Could this be causing it?
Water in electrics?
Other than this the engine runs good, although i've been having a problem with the throttle sticking open which isn't cable related(i changed it, oiled it and set it right). I oiled the return spring but haven't checked the second carb lever thingy, the problem seems to be on larger throttle openings so maybe its that. Could this also be some sort of intake gremlin?
After fitting an Arrow Dakar(?) can I had a really bad dyno reading a while ago so maybe ive got general carb bother. Putting a big 160 jet in seemed to help, but ive not had it dynoed since.
Any ideas?

I had the same problem a couple of years back ion my 2000 TTR.

The problem was that plug and the opening in the cilinder to remove the plug are facing forward and in case of a lot of rain they are getting all the water that is thrown up by the front wheel. I sprayed the ignitioncable, the plug and all electronics under the tank with Contact Spray/WD40 and repeat it every time i dismantle the bike to clean it. No more problems aver since

The throttle sticking might be because there is dirt in the throttle housing. (but you have lubed the cable, so you probably checked that), but it might also be becasue of the carb slide 9either the primairy or secondairy carb) getting stuck because it is worn.

[This message has been edited by sTTeve (edited 24 October 2005).]

[This message has been edited by sTTeve (edited 24 October 2005).]

Throttle sticking open is in fact water entering the engine. I used to have that when sailing through deep water. When the same occurred on a dry sunny day after starting the engine after having mounted a wet air filter [for drying] I realised that it's the water.

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Fred, XTZ660, Holland.

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Fred, XTZ660, Holland.

Sounds strange but I had this problem too riding along lake superior. Weather wetter than fish piss. Turned out to be cable on C.D.I unit under seat rubbing against frame, not quite worn through insulation but when everything gets wet- enough to cause erratic missfire.
Just an idea to check.

Motor dies when ridding in frog strangler weather? Try testing different componets and wiring when it isn't raining. I bench test electrical components and one test I like to do is spray down a high tension coil while it is hooked up to a dynamic coil tester. I use soapy water in a spray bottle and sometimes I get interesting results. The water lets me detect bad insulation etc. You can do the same thing on your bike with a spray bottle or water hose. Just go over the bike one area at a time. Much nicer to troubleshoot in comfort rather than when you are passing that truck with oncoming traffic and someone right behind you.

Thanks for that guys.
I've got a day and a garage tommorrow, so i'll give all your suggestions a go and see what i come up with.
Rains have stopped for now, but i'm sure theres more to come...........

Hi Wonky - I think I know whats wrong.

My bike showed exactly the same symptoms last year. It turned out to be arcing at the coil where the HT lead comes out.

Because the coil's under the tank sitting above a warm engine I didn't think dampness would affect it and for a long time did not suspect it.

I found it like the guy above by running the bike inside a dark shed with the tank off and a temporary fuel supply rigged up. Then I soaked all the electrics until I saw the arcing.

As soon as it arced the bike stalled and just refused to start again until I dried it a bit with the hairdrier, then it fired up again first touch of the button.

I wrapped up the end of coil and HT lead with self amalgamating tape and just for good measure I done the spark plug end also, although this wasn't showing any problems no matter how wet it got.

The repair was so sucessful it cured it completly. A year later it has not so much as coughed once despite how hard it rains.

You may already know but self amalgamating tape is NOT the same as electrical insulating tape. It is non adhesive and is made from slightly stretchy rubber. As you wind it on keep it stretched a bit and overlap it well. The tension in the rubber will make it gel to its self leaving it 100% waterproof and it won't unravel or go sticky.

If your through any towns try electrical wholesalers - auto electricans - or even TV antenna shops for a roll of it.

Good luck
Ralph


PS to Fred - how are you my friend? Hope you're well - long time no hear!

[This message has been edited by Ralph (edited 27 October 2005).]

That sounds bang on to me Ralph, i washed the bike yesterday and it was a right pain to start for about half an hour. I guess the heat from the engine dries the coil pretty quickly when you're actually riding
i now need to find the Vietnamese word for self-amalgamating tape, hmmm.
Ive got electricians tape and (i think) i might have put a bit of heat shrink in with the spares. I'll try both if i can't get that stuff for a while.
Thanks a lot!

Yeah - Heat shrink would probably do as well. Good idea !!

Hi there,

Yep ignition coil, I had the same problem after heavy downpoor the bike would eventually ,cough ,rattle and stop, so I checked the fuse, and all the electrics, carbs...it took me few month to find out
Then I isolate the ignition coil just before the plug with a piece of old bycicle tube and since then I never had any problem..

Good luck

Rode through a massive downpour the other day and after covering everything suggested in electricians tape(couldn't find the other stuff) my bike didn't even stutter.
Cheers all!

wow! greate to find this topic; had this problem in my TT600R'2001 since I bought it, so for 50 000km. when passing through zambia/namibia few weeks ago in the rainy season it was really anoying. Great to find the solution!

mac
http://motoafryka.prv.pl

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mac
http://motosyberia.com
KTM 640 Adventure 2007

For 2 days running now I've been conking out by the side of the road on the way to work. Same downpour, splutter, die.....wait...go again.

Thanks for the advice. I'll be insulating my wiring tomorrow..once I've dried out!!

Check all places where male/female coper conectors are taking place.Especially could be critical plastic conector with 3 white wires from electric generator.Change ALL worn coper pieces (don't know name in english),Solder them and protect with thermo/plastic tubes .My 98 TTR never stop in rain again.
Cheers

6.3mm Blade terminals with latch that's what you need to replace your old ones.

It's better to crimp them on and fit then into the plastic sockets, no need for shrinkwrap unless you are also replacing the bullet type connectors!


The sockets are usually called 2-way, 3-way, 4-way etc and you can find some on ebay UK.

I've just done this to all my wiring, crimping, replacing, soldering and shrinkwraping where needed!


Also, it could be that you have a very rich carburetor mix and that is fouling your sparkplug due to the increased air humidity which makes the air "thinner" in O2 level.



Good luck!
Vando