XT doesn't like getting wet
 

Been off road today, but it was pretty wet and muddy, puddles quite deepa dn creating a bow wave on the way though. After each soaking though the bike would cut out at low revs, and need the revs held high to keep it running, wouldn't tick over.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...4/SNC00011.jpg

Now so long as I don't go deeper than the airbox intake (under the seat?), I'd expect to be able to get though water no bother.

What are the weak points on the XT in terms of water? Is there a drain hole for the spark plug somewhere? Any other wiring, fuel lines or breathers I need to worry about?

Thanks

Hi

Check the side stand switch (if it is still on the bike). They are submitted to water and dirt all the time and fail often. I removed the switch from my current TT, since I had problems with the switch on a XT 550 I once had.

Also you may want to check the carburetor breather pipes, see thread:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ms-t-off-45281

spark plug gap
 

One of our Tenere´s did the same; in heavy rain. After some drying out starts and runs OK. After checking the spark plug (which I did after checking a whole lot of other things) it turned out that the gap was much too large, 0,9 mm instead of (on that type) 0,7 mm. Adjusting cured the problem.
My theory is that, although most of the components (oil, plug cap, etc) are relatively new, the dirt in combination with lots of water ´weaken´the spark, which is then not able to jump the gap.

Auke

Thanks guys, I'll check both those things.

I do quite a lot of enduro with my Tenere 3AJ (as much as she and i can both handle). Every time we pass through big waters (or smaller but longer and full throttled ones) she stops or almost stops.
You have to:
1. Pull the clutch immediately and rev it a little otherwise she will cling-clong and die, or
2. Let her stop, dry for 15-20 sec (as she stops you will immediately notice a cloud of steam coming from the engine), pull the choke and start it.

At least these are the simptoms that appear and the solutions that i use everytime with my bike.
From what i observed this happens because of the water flushing + weting the sparkplug cap & contact as this assembly stays exactly in the front of the bike, not on the side (as is the case with lots of other enduros) or inside a pit covered/sealed by a rubber cap as is the case with other enduro-touring bikes (i noticed this solution at the XTZ660 Tenere 3YF).

Yep.....had this happen to my 550 a time or 2.....
For Obvious reasons :biggrin3:......
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...s/IMG_1814.jpg

I've used my 3AJ in various Welsh Rallies, most tend to be rather damp. My bike was a bit temperamental in big splashes. I found a good cure was to cut an old inner tube into a 6inch square, cut a small hole in it and put it over the spark plug, this keeps the worst of the slash off the plug and also stops the spark plug recess filling up with mud and goo. Also a good spray of damp seal over all electrical parts will keep the dampness out.

yeah, had an XT and TT and the spark plug recess was a water trap.

My Xt digs the water. :thumbup1:

"Never been offroad" :innocent:

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