Runs like crap after washing : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Dan1059 · 08-31-2009, 02:55 PM

Hey all,

This is my 1st post (wanted to test it out). I washed my 09 Softail Deluxe this Sunday then had problems with it sputtering and dying out while riding. After restarting many times I was able to get going. Never a problem before and nothing else had been done to it. Can washing with a hose cause this problem? THX!

Pikeslayer · 08-31-2009, 03:44 PM

Yes it can. Pull your ECM connector apart, I bet it is full of water.

Dan1059 · 08-31-2009, 04:19 PM

Thanks! I'll check it tonight.

kustom_flames · 08-31-2009, 05:31 PM

I know lots of guys like to wash their bikes...but I prefer a good spray detailer. I never put a hose to my bike (too lazy to remove the leather bags and I have found a great spray detailer). but I can have my whole bike detailed in 15 minutes - paint, chrome, everything. Wipe on, wipe off...

Dan1059 · 09-07-2009, 08:33 AM

But don't you find that with spray detailers you get fine scratching as the dirt on the bike is wiped around before it comes off on the rag? Growing up I always read that washing is the safest way to get the abrasive dirt off.

By the way, my bike ran fine the following day... :-)

kustom_flames · 09-07-2009, 09:11 AM

I guess it depends on how much dirt...but the spray detailer I use, requires a special cloth which you dampen first and then your wipe off with a microfiber cloth. As long as you never DRY wipe, a spray detailer is fine to use.

TriLs · 09-07-2009, 09:33 AM

Which one you use, Pat??

LoCo1969 · 09-07-2009, 09:34 AM

Are you washing it with the seat on? Unless you have the seat off, washing it with a hose shouldn't be any worse that riding through some nasty rain storm. I've power washed my last five bikes pretty consistently and never had a problem. Well except when it's below freezing and the water freezes in the switch housings...that's a little bit of a problem. Normal washing shoudn't cause any problems though, avoid the wheel bearing (even the new sealed ones) and don't focus on the electronics. If you are getting water into a connector there's probably a bad electrical seal somewhere.

Dr.Hess · 09-07-2009, 09:51 AM

While replacing my original spark plug wires with Magnecor recently, I noticed that I had put some blue silicone on the coil end of the wires about 20 years ago. I recall that I had the same problem with some rain/washing back then and sealing up the spark plug wires fixed it, because I forgot about it after that. We hit a good bit of rain this year with the Magnecors on and never had a burp.

So, not suggesting that this is your problem, but obviously water is getting in somewhere when you wash it.

kustom_flames · 09-07-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriLs

Which one you use, Pat??

Captain Richard's Best - used to be called BOM (best overall method). Stuff works great and is safe on all bike parts - chrome, fresh paint, leather/vinyl, even lexan windshields and plastic.

It's about $25/bottle and one bottle will get you thru about 150 motorcycles. I used to sell it, but since they sell direct, I can't beat the price for what my cost per bottle is...

http://www.captainrichardsbest.com/welcome.htm