V. rough running after power wash!Help!

[Nige]

After two years of ownership and cleaning witha brush and sponge in a mad moment I powerwashed the bike yesterday to get a load of encrusted salt of it. i was careful to avoid bearings etc but I've done something to it!

I eventually got it to fire up this morning but it backfired/popped on the way in (despite a remus and y piece it has done this only very rarely) and is only a little better on the commute back. But the engine is running really roughly. Before at tickover it almost seemed as though the engine was running too fast. Now it hardly keeps going, vibrates and when revved with the clutch in almost (but doesn't) stall. it sounds awful as well. What have i done? Help!! One thing is for certain - the power wash will not be used again! Any suggestions gratefully received.

 

[Gas'd Off]

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Yeah Nige, DON`T USE A JET WASH AGAIN!

Plugs out mate, clean and dry the rubber bits. Weirdly enough, although it has got what look like well sealed plug caps, if you look closely you`ll see that there are holes fore and aft in the plug recess. Stuff your jet wash down the cooling fins and high pressure water will get blasted around your plugs. I shpect that might cure it.

Check the air filter too, you might have soaked that aswell.

I can`t remember where the coils live but it`s probably worth making sure they are dry.

Good luck.

 

[its all poo]

That sounds like what happened to mine, it turned out to be one of the throttle cable outers had come out of the adjuster on the throttle body. It was only a couple of mm out just push it back into the adjuster.

 

[cookie]

That sounds like what happened to mine, it turned out to be one of the throttle cable outers had come out of the adjuster on the throttle body. It was only a couple of mm out just push it back into the adjuster.

that gets my vote. the cable outers pop out & rest on the adjusters at the drop of a hat.

 

[Nige]

Thanks guys for the advice. I've only had time tonight to check one spark plug and its dry inside. I've also checked the throttle plugs (I assume you both mean by the cylinder heads where the cable has split right and left and winds itself around the bobbin thing) and the cable appears to be sitting properly both sides but I've pulled them out and placed them back again just to make sure.

I'll see how it goes tomorrow!

 

[Commuter]

I have had similar problems when washing mine in Fords, I tend to fine a very high speed blast clears it all out and turns all the light out that blink at me

Fanum's Silver Submersable was in trouble recently when he swallowed a pile of water, plugs out, clear chamber and away you go.

HTH, and don't be so lazy next time!!!

 

[MikeO]

I'd be very surprised if it was anything other than a misplaced throttle cable outer - the symptoms you describe are classic.

Check both sides, though it's usually the right side that's at fault - it should look like this...

But I'm betting yours looks like this...

Mike

 

[Gecko]

If it was electrical your clock and petrol gauge would also be going haywire so assuming they are operating normally my vote goes to the throttle cable too......

 

[Nige]

Well, this morning it was still backfiring and as rough as hell. The throttle cable is definately seated properly both sides. I've spoken with BMW PArk Lane and they think that almost certainly its the air box filling up with water blocking and soaking the air filter. So i need to dry that out. They said that jet washing is fine (and they do it all the time) provided that you avoid the air intake (which it seems I didn't) and any greased bearings.

I'll let you all know after I've taken out the air filter on thursday.

 

[MasterDabber]

I don't use the powerhose on the GS but even just using the "regular" hose gently I always cover the air intake and put a bung in the exhaust outlet.

 

[Nige]

Well guys i checked the plugs and the air filter - all dry. So i took it to BMW (it still has two weeks left under warranty!!) and in fact they found it was nothing to do with the jet wash - the 'stick coils' on top of the main sparkplugs had both corroded and their wasn't suffiecient spark to burn the fuel. A case of salt corrosion they think!! The problem with driving through winter I guess. Thanks for all your help and suggestions. Its all a goodlearning curve.

 

[andy malton]

Well guys i checked the plugs and the air filter - all dry. So i took it to BMW (it still has two weeks left under warranty!!) and in fact they found it was nothing to do with the jet wash - the 'stick coils' on top of the main sparkplugs had both corroded and their wasn't suffiecient spark to burn the fuel. A case of salt corrosion they think!! The problem with driving through winter I guess. Thanks for all your help and suggestions. Its all a goodlearning curve.

I can't be alone here,but what are stick coils?

 

[Nige]

BmW showed them to me - they are literally coils in a plastic tube attached to the HT leads which fit into the cylinder heads over the main spark plug - presumably to boost the voltage (sorry if thats wrong but im not that technically minded). If you pull the plastic cover off the cylinder which covers the main spark and pull out the spark plug connector it is a long stick - the stick coil. The secondary spark plug underneath the cylinder just has a straight lead connection.

 

[Nige]

By the way I have now become a site sponsor - next on the list is to work out how to post photos!

 

[Den]

next on the list is to work out how to post photos! [/B]

Put them in an envelope, attach stamp and pop em in a pillar box. Most importantly, write the recipiants address on front of envelope.

 

[Fanum]

Den you're an old wag