[erica]

im trying to kick myself in the face right now but i cant do that right either. My bike just got rained on pretty badly. Im trying to get it running again but i left the spark plug out and im assuming rainwater is in my engine now. time to get a cover for my bike (idiot). I should probably try to take it apart before the cylinder or piston start to rust? I will be fumbling my way through this so any resources would be really appreciated. An educated "you have nothing to worry about" would be even more appreciated, but water gettin in that hole seems like a pretty bad thing to me.

 

[r80rt]

Crank it over a few times without the spark plug, that will blow out any water in the cylinder, put in a new plug, change the oil and go for a ride.

 

[elime]

Crank it over a few times without the spark plug, that will blow out any water in the cylinder, put in a new plug, change the oil and go for a ride.

Ditto!!!



And I doubt enough water got in there and sat long enough to do any damage. If it were me I would skip changing the oil if the oil level is where it was before the rains and I would try using the old plug first (because I am cheap).



If this is the last stupid thing you ever do then be happy!

 

[tinman tim]

also, once you do get it running, keep it running for a while. Getting it up to normal operating temperature will 'boil' out the water that did get in. Once you think it is good enuff, let it run some more. Then change the oil. And you do have something to worry about.... You let it happen in the first place. But the TW is pretty forgiving, so don't beat yourself up. TIM

 

[erica]

Thank you! bikes not actually running but i am replacing the battery right now. might have clean the jets next and cross my fingers.

 

[Toyanvil]

Crank it over a few times without the spark plug to blow out any water in the cylinder when spray in WD40 and crank it over again, the WD40 will help get the water out. Install the spark plug and start it.

 

[Gorillabiter]

Perhaps a little squirt of oil or WD40 in the cylinder to prevent any rust. Not sure of the year of your Dubs, but kick it over a little to spread the love around. If no kick start the oil or WD may help thwart the rusting while you get it fired up. If I am way off base someone please say so.

 

[RisingSun]

You just have to move into action there and it will all be good. One time in japan I was riding in a wooded area flying. I jump off a small hill and cross this small stream. Little did I know it sure was shallow in some areas ,but this one area was like 4ft deep. I hit it going about 40 and the bike instantly stopped I kept on going. I actually skipped like a stone. I pulled the bike out. Took off the gas tank. Took off the spark plug. Turned the bike upside down and cranked the kick start a couple of times to pump out the water. We poured gas into the spark plug hole and flipped it over and pumped again. Took a lighter to the spark plug. Took off the air filter,put new gas in the tank and kicked right over.

 

[elime]

At times like these look to Mister Big Wheel for guidance!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EtHUzfdYqE

 

[Rainman]

You just have to move into action there and it will all be good. One time in japan I was riding in a wooded area flying. I jump off a small hill and cross this small stream. Little did I know it sure was shallow in some areas ,but this one area was like 4ft deep. I hit it going about 40 and the bike instantly stopped I kept on going. I actually skipped like a stone. I pulled the bike out. Took off the gas tank. Took off the spark plug. Turned the bike upside down and cranked the kick start a couple of times to pump out the water. We poured gas into the spark plug hole and flipped it over and pumped again. Took a lighter to the spark plug. Took off the air filter,put new gas in the tank and kicked right over.

I had a similar experience a few years ago. My friends and I were riding in an area called the "Mud Flats". Its an area around a lake you can ride when the water level is down, its almost like a low tide at the ocean. Anyways, we had to cross some water and all was good until I didn't check the depth of one water crossing. I went in and all of a sudden I was up to my waist in water. The bike was still running, but I shut it off and I waded to the shore. The bike was still upright so my buddy and I grabbed it and drug it out. I pulled the spark plug and cranked the bike over and water came spitting out. My buddy told me to put my finger over the hole, only covering half of it. I cranked it again and more water came out. It then started up and was running rough to we headed back to the truck.



When I got it home, I found the reason it was running rough....the air cleaner was soaked! I cleaned it, changed the oil three times and all is well now. I don't think I've done any permanent damage.



Act on it quick before the water has time to make its way further into the motor. I'm sure you're fine.

 

[evan]

LOL, good one Rainman....Reminded me of the time when a friend of mine went thru a deep water hole at the local creek with a quad and was bobbing in it and pretty much sunk it. There were about 6 of us and after we stopped laughing we took out air cleaner, put quad on end to drain exhaust and then pulled slowly on back up pull starter to move water out of combustion chamber. Fired that bad boy up and off we went. He later changed the oil a few times to get water out. Erica if all you got is a little water in cylinder your fine. Do what everyone is saying and forget about it....Ride on! Now if that water had been sitting in there awhile that would be another story.

 

[Mel]

In my many years of riding I have seen a few deep water crossings or rivers drown a few motorcycles. All we did was let them set awhile, loosen the drain plug to see if there was water in the crankcase, then point a hair drier on the cylinder to warm it up after removing the sparkplug. I saw many bikes ridden all day the next day without problems.