Waterproofing spark plug & boot connection?

[fuct44]

I got caught in a freak thunderstorm last night and decided I'd monk out at the gas station until the lightning let up a bit. About 200 yards before the turn the bike lost a lot of power and I had to keep the RPMS up to keep it from stalling. As I made the turn it stalled and I coasted into the station. Started it back up and noticed the idle sounded odd...by odd I mean the cadence was dead even. Listened and sure enough only the front cylinder was firing. Checked the wires, cleaned the connection points and it fired up just fine. It was fine the rest of the way home and all of today.

This never happened, I can only guess it had something to do with the huge amount of water coming down causing steam/condensation to leak up into the boot. Can you coat the inside of the boots/tops of the plugs with anything to shield them from moisture without impeding the spark?

[Hossamania]

I think in the 'old days' there was a dilectric grease that was used pretty commonly on plug boots. I'm sure it's still out there.

[Hossamania]

How old are your plug wires? Are they touching anywhere or anything? They could also have been the problem.

[fuct44]

Plug wires are only about a month old, replaced them shortly after build and tune were done. Nothing touching, no shorts or splits, etc.

As for the dielectric grease--I've got some already. I use it on electronic connection points, just wasn't sure if there was any harm using directly on plugs/boots.

[bigblock6912]

it's wise to use it on the plug wires.

[Mike52]

As for the dielectric grease--I've got some already. I use it on electronic connection points, just wasn't sure if there was any harm using directly on plugs/boots.

I've always used dielectric grease on spark plug wire boots, cuts down corrosion on the terminals inside the boot and makes them easy to remove the next time.

Mike

[Ardy]

 

I put a dab of the dielectric grease on every connector I put back together. Cars, truck, mower, scooter...everything where wires or bulbs are connected. Good stuff. I bought a big 'ol tube of it from my mower parts distributor. www.j-thomas.com Good people to work with.

[Ed Y]

I'd also recommend dielectric grease on the plug wire boots on the coil. I've also seen this type of problem happen when a butt connector was used on the wire from the regulator to the connection at either the main breaker or + side of the battery. In heavy rains, with water inside the butt connector, it will short off and on.

[Black Magic]

As for the dielectric grease--I've got some already. I use it on electronic connection points, just wasn't sure if there was any harm using directly on plugs/boots.

I've always used dielectric grease on spark plug wire boots, cuts down corrosion on the terminals inside the boot and makes them easy to remove the next time.

Mike

Definately use on the boots, especially in cages, makes removal a much happier experience in the future!

[dunbarton]

Yes to dielectric grease.
I learned a very neat trick from a master mechanic friend of mine who spent a lifetime keeping trucks and heavy equipment running. Years ago he started  treating every electrical connection that could be exposed to moisture with 'Rust Check' or 'Krown rustproofing treatment. Same stuff used to rust proof your car. It's electrically conductive with no measurable loss and prevents any type of corrosion. Never had a failure at an electrical connection again,. Previously they had to replace wiring harnesses routinely at huge cost and delay. Very complex sensors and miles of wiring in modern long haul trucks nowdays.  I treated all the connectors on my bike @ 5 years ago, and treated all bulb sockets/boots with dielectric grease and have never had any problems. 100,000 miles through all kinds of weather. Just open the connector and give it a quick shot of spray and close it back up. Simple as that.

[poseidon9447]

You can get a little packet of dielectric grease on a counter display at Discount auto for 99 cents. I got some when I changed light bulbs on the car and have used it on my plug wires too, and still have a half packet left. a little goes a long way.

[fuct44]

Got caught in a downpour again...no problems this time though. Dielectric grease 1, mother nature 0.

[Ed Y]

"Potty mouth"t44,

You can further protect yourself by taking the time to pull every fuse and every electrical connector and apply dielectric grease to metal contacts. In addition to the waterproofing protection, it will also protect against corrosion and oxidation.

[fuct44]

Thanks Ed, already nailed that one. Did it shortly after the plugs. Only thing left is to spray something down on the electrical panel. That plastic lower fender doesn't block anything and it's starting to look a little shifty back there.

[05FLHTC]

Might want to read this post
http://harleytechtalk.net/htt/index.php?topic=11123.0