vfr200 Posted April 13, 2023 Share Posted April 13, 2023 I got caught in torrential rain on the motorway the other day on my 1999 VFR. One or more cylinders must have stopped firing properly because it felt like someone had attached a heavy trailer to the back of the bike, i.e. it took what felt like twice as much throttle to maintain my speed. It was also running seriously rough and every once in a while the power would kick in again for a brief moment. While this was happening I noticed that the engine temperature reading dropped from 78 degrees to about 70. Given that the temperature sensor lives behind the front cylinders I'm guessing that it was one or both of them which had stopped working. Shortly after the rain stopped the bike went back to normal as though nothing had happened. I rode through another spot of slightly less heavy rain later and the problem briefly came back. I'm assuming that the problem is HT lead-related given the symptoms and the fact that they're 24 years old and live sandwiched between a hot engine and road spray, but I'm reluctant to pay £150-odd to replace the front two leads and plug caps with new OEM stuff. My current thinking is to get a used set off eBay for next to nothing, check the caps for cracks and replace the cables with generic new leads. I've had a search but can't find any threads on here about it; has anyone else done this before and could you give me any pointers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer bmart Posted April 13, 2023 Member Contributer Share Posted April 13, 2023 H2O could have gotten into the fuel tank also. It doesn't take much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Bren Posted April 13, 2023 Member Contributer Share Posted April 13, 2023 I've driven through similar and never had these symptoms, my bike is a 98. All on that side is original. Did you look at your injectors as per your other post? It was you wasn't it? If not my apologies 😇 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vfr200 Posted April 13, 2023 Author Share Posted April 13, 2023 1 hour ago, Bren said: I've driven through similar and never had these symptoms, my bike is a 98. All on that side is original. Did you look at your injectors as per your other post? It was you wasn't it? If not my apologies 😇 So have I and never had problems until just now. The fact that it happens fairly abruptly when the going gets soaking wet and stops as soon as it dries up screams electrical to me, and the front HT leads are the obvious suspect since a) they're the only electrical wires that routinely get drenched and b) I'm pretty sure a short elsewhere in the ignition would kill the bike stone dead instead of just making it drop a cylinder or two. Don't think the post about injectors was me; I haven't posted here for a couple of years and I can't remember what that was about! 2 hours ago, bmart said: H2O could have gotten into the fuel tank also. It doesn't take much. If that were the case I doubt it would clear up within a few minutes of the rain stopping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer bmart Posted April 13, 2023 Member Contributer Share Posted April 13, 2023 Never happened before...isn't that how all things happen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Captain 80s Posted April 13, 2023 Member Contributer Share Posted April 13, 2023 19 minutes ago, bmart said: Never happened before...isn't that how all things happen? Yep. Just like you always find something in the last place you look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V4 Rosso Posted April 13, 2023 Share Posted April 13, 2023 Are the plug caps properly seated? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vfr200 Posted April 14, 2023 Author Share Posted April 14, 2023 9 hours ago, V4 Rosso said: Are the plug caps properly seated? Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Grum Posted April 14, 2023 Member Contributer Share Posted April 14, 2023 Just wondering if the HT lead unscrews from the plug cap? Perhaps a local reputable Auto Parts store may be able to help you out and make up some leads for you. Take the two originals along with you, see what they say. Just a thought! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer paulmeisterpk Posted April 14, 2023 Member Contributer Share Posted April 14, 2023 I had this happen once riding in torrential rain as well on my '98. It would intermittently bog and then run okay again for a bit, then bog down again. I took everything apart, and found some water had gotten into my airbox. Replaced my air filter and it hasn't run rough since in rainstorms or dry weather. It might still be your HT leads, but that was just my experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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