What to Do When a Motorcycle Won't Start After Getting Wet in the Rain?
2 Answers
If a motorcycle won't start after getting wet in the rain, it may be due to water ingress in certain parts, and the vehicle should be stopped and inspected at this time. The specific steps are as follows: Check for water ingress in the motorcycle: First, remove the air filter and carburetor to check if these parts have water inside. If the air filter and carburetor are dry, then inspect the high-voltage cap, high-voltage wire, spark plug, ignition coil, and other components for water or moisture. Also, check if any circuits have short-circuited due to water ingress. If the issue cannot be identified, it is best to take the motorcycle to a repair shop for inspection and repair. For motorcycles with poorly sealed electrical or fuel systems, it is difficult to avoid this situation in rainy weather, so try to minimize prolonged exposure to rain. Generally, the motorcycle will return to normal once it is completely dry.
Last time I got soaked by heavy rain while riding my motorcycle, it wouldn't start either. It took me quite a while to figure it out. The key is to first check if water entered the spark plug area - removing the cylinder head to dry any water traces is most crucial, as wet spark plugs simply won't fire. Then inspect the air filter; a soaked filter paper blocking the air intake makes it impossible for the engine to draw air. Water causing short circuits in electrical connectors is even more troublesome - you'll need to use a hair dryer to dry the wiring before trying again. Any accumulated water in the carburetor must be drained, and backflowed water in the exhaust pipe needs clearing. Pushing the bike to a dry spot and letting it air for about half an hour before starting usually works, but forcibly repeated attempts can easily cause cylinder scoring - it's best to get it right in one go. Afterwards, buying a bottle of electrical waterproofing spray for regular maintenance is the real long-term solution.
