It is not a cracked distributor cap - she gets damp during a wet night and won't start early morning but will start later on a clear day. I am wondering if a car cover would help or if the damp would just come in from underneath? Appreciate any helpful replies!
2007-03-05 20:14:28 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Hi
There are some very interesting answers in here, I'd LOVE to see you try to stretch a bike cover over a Vitara Jeep, eh, Dom!!
Your problem is without a doubt damp getting into the HT leads. You can either buy a tin of HT sealant spray and give the HT system a good coating, including the insides of the ends of the leads, or you can renew the leads etc.
Whatever you do, DON'T spray damp start or any other starting aid into the intake. It will very quickly wear the cylinders and rings and you will not be able to start your vehicle without it. It will become addicted to it and it is a very well known occurance in the motor vehicle trade.
Your problem isn't serious and is easily repaired. I will say that although the HT spray will work, you are only treating the symptoms rather than fixing the problem, and my advice is to renew the leads, and if your jeep has one, the dizzy cap as well.
all the very best
Geordie
2007-03-05 22:47:45 · answer #1 · answered by Grizz 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The cover may or may not help, but you need to crack the underlying reason why it won't start, after all you're going to be caught in the rain one day when you're out!
Start by cleaning your plug leads, plug tops, distributor cap etc. - any dirt can make a track for the ignition current to go where it isn't supposed to. Make it all scrupulously clean and dry. That on it's own may do the trick. Failing that, spray the leads etc with one of the sprays you can get from Halfords.
If that doesn't help, then it's the time to delve further, such as under the distributor cap, and consider some new plugs, plug leads, dizzy cap, rotor arm etc.
Good luck.
2007-03-05 21:34:29 · answer #2 · answered by champer 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
a car cover wouldn't help much..unless its the rain finding it's way through the sides of the bonnet, you should have a rubber sill stopping the rain getting in..check to make sure that the rubber sill what goes around underneath the bonnet has not come off or split, You can buy 'damp start' spray, spray that on distributor & ht leads, wd40 (silicon spray is best) is good spray that over all the electical parts it acts as a waterproof protctor..chech the ht leads are ok too,you have those rubber covers on the ends protecting it from the rain make sure there on properly & there a tight fit.
it might be just the cold, so a manual choke would be best! Good luck!
damp start...
http://www.autosave-scotland.co.uk/shop/item.php?id=1036
2007-03-05 20:41:55 · answer #3 · answered by Toby G* 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I would try a new distributor cap and plug wires. That usually takes care of the problem, but see a mechanic, you don't want to be stranded without your car just because of the rain. The car cover wouldn't hurt and then again I doubt if it helps either.
2007-03-05 21:06:28 · answer #4 · answered by Fordman 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Could it be the spark plugs then ? Got a little damp in them ?
http://www.wd40.co.uk/index.cfm?articleid=36
What are the main Automotive uses for Silicone Spray?
The Silicone spray will lubricate windows, linkages, tools and can be used on rubber, wood and vinyl. The spray will also protect electrical parts such as distributors, ignition wires and spark plugs.
2007-03-05 20:21:10 · answer #5 · answered by Narky 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
check the leads for chafing or signs of wear... i had a renault that did this many years ago... it wouldnt start in the rain.. turned out a the main starter cable was rubbing and the water was essentially making a short circuit...
well its worth a look...
and check your battery. its cold, youve no doubt got everything turned on... lots of stop start driving doesnt help as it isnt really charging again for long enough...
the average life of a battery is about 3 years... and when was the last time you topped it up... or changed it?
2007-03-06 00:03:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The good thing about using a car cover on a bike is that it will block the rain from getting it soaked. The bad thing is that the cover is so big it looks like a cow getting covered in a tarp.Suzuki's are not meant to be parked out in the wet rain.Like what happened to you,it will not start.If you keep doing that the motor will soon fail and that's when you have to pay for repairs. I suggest u spend $50.00-$85.00 on a Suzuki bike cover then rather taking it to the repair shop and paying for more on repairs.Check out this.....
2007-03-05 20:47:01 · answer #7 · answered by Domination 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋
The problem will be in your HT system, most likely the HT leads from the dist. cap to the spark plugs. They will probably carbon cored leads, these absorb moisture over a period of time. Changing these will cure the problem, a cover will only get around the fault not cure it.
It might also be worth renewing the rotor arm, dist. cap & spark plugs to ensure that the ignition system is working at peak performance.
2007-03-05 20:43:21 · answer #8 · answered by wayforwardhow 3 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Had a similar problem many years ago with a old cortina. Change the HT leads.
2007-03-05 20:41:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
It will just hold then damp in and not start all day, must be down to dodgy HT leads or something
2007-03-05 20:27:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋