Cleaning Question

[vfr2fjr]

In the Owner's Manual (the small one), under "Care", we are told to cover the muffler tips before washing. What is the reason for this? What happens if you don't?

Ed

 

[Rickster]

i believe it's illegal to have your **** exposed -- so they must be covered!!.

or -- it keeps water from entering the exhaust system, if you fill up the exhaust with water -- it of course would have a difficult time starting.

 

[madmike2]

Maybe one of the In-gun-ears will answer: Is it possible that water flowing to the low point could damage the catalytic convertors? O2 sensor?

Or as Rickster said, plugging the exhaust flow with water is going to make for awfully hard starting.

 

[vfr2fjr]

i believe it's illegal to have your **** exposed -- so they must be covered!!.
or -- it keeps water from entering the exhaust system, if you fill up the exhaust with water -- it of course would have a difficult time starting.

I've washed lots of bikes and never paid any attention to water in the exhaust, but ... I've never had a bike with cats or fuel injection before either. Does anyone know what water will do to hot catatylic converters? Can the beads fracture?

Ed

 

[Windjammer]

I've been riding and washing bikes for years, and have never bothered to plug the mufflers. But I avoid spraying water directly into the mufflers. If a small volume of water enters the mufflers, then no harm done. Think about it, what happens if your bike sits outside in a heavy rainstorm? Or what if you ride all day and park outside on a cool night (condensation inside the exhaust)? Sooner or later some small amount of water will enter the exhaust system, and it will be quickly blown out/evaporated when you start the engine.

Just use common sense when directing water flow toward the back of the bike - keep the nozzle up high and point it downward, so you're not directing water flow right into the mufflers.

 

[jestal]

When an internal combustion engine burns hydrocarbon fuel (gasoline) the byproducts of combustion are CO2 and H2O. So....a LOT of water goes down the exhaust system all the time. Therefore, it is logical to assume that water will not hurt the catalyst or the O2 sensor or anything else in there. In fact, it will not hurt a thing.

Common sense would say to keep from spraying water into the exhaust system but it really won't hurt anything unless you put the hose into the muffler and force enough water into the system that it makes its way to the exhaust valves and enters the cylinder and causes a hydrostatic lock.....duh...... You would have to be a real bone head to accomplish this....but....this is NOT a challenge to any reader.

If you watch cars in the winter time it is very common to see water pouring from the exhaust pipes as the car leaves the intersection after sitting idling at a stop light. The water vapor builds up in the exhuast during idle when the system is cold and exhaust flow is low and then pours out as the car accelerates away and the exhaust flow increases. Doesn't hurt a thing.

One of the nasty byproducts of combustion that comes from the fuel is sulfur and various sulfur compounds. Put this into a hot exhaust and with the H2O present and you eventually get quite a bit of H2SO4....sulfuric acid. Eats exhaust systems.

The best advice for keeping the exhaust tips covered is because of water entering the mufflers causing corrosion and premature rustout of the mufflers. Also why it is a good idea to ride the bike after washing to thoroughly dry out the exhaust system in the event any moisture entered it.

 

[Mike-H]

i believe it's illegal to have your **** exposed -- so they must be covered!!.
or -- it keeps water from entering the exhaust system, if you fill up the exhaust with water -- it of course would have a difficult time starting.

only in the U.S.....it's legal to expose your **** up here :lol: ....north of the border ....

 

[C&C]

Yamaha's intention here is to keep you from introducing an inordinate amount of water into the exhaust system. As you can see the mufflers are upswept and water will pool. This pooling, may not drain readily, so if alot of water enters the system it will be difficult to fully evacuate. Obviously a little won't hurt anything but Yamaha needed/wanted to give you fair warning.

 

[Gcopter]

My bad..... never actually read the owners manual... But it makes sense with the angle of the pipes..

I have washed mine many times and never thought of what could happen with too much water in them.. will think next time i wash it though ......

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

After washing the bike, it's fun forgetting to take the wadded-up plastic bags out of the ends of the pipes. Then when you start the bike up to dry off the engine and exhaust -- They go flying! :clapping:

 

[GalaxyBlue]

Yamaha's intention here is to keep you from introducing an inordinate amount of water into the exhaust system. As you can see the mufflers are upswept and water will pool. This pooling, may not drain readily, so if alot of water enters the system it will be difficult to fully evacuate.

This is why i do a 2 mile stand up wheelie after washing my bike... Ya know... To get the water outa ma pipes! :lol:

 

[tyronewildman]

Then again, a couple of weeks ago me 7 year old great grandaughter helped my grandson wash his TL1000. When he went in the house, she filled both mufflers with hose against muffler. I guess that if both intake & exaust valves were open, it would have squirted out the air intake. Not knowing what she had done, he tried to start it & it just went clunk & locked up. Hmmm, I guess you really can't compress water. He removed both plugs & blew it out with air from the plug hole & no damage done. He later told me that the shop sells muffler plugs just for washing the bike. It's doubtful that the starter has enough power to bend a connecting rod but why take the chance. I've never covered mine and no trouble but then again I don't squirt it in there & I don't wash them often. The book must be right-good for U for reading it...Later,,,De

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

If you don't waste your time washing your bike you will never have this problem.

 

[CherokeeKid]

The mufflers have a one eight inch vent hole at the lowest point (nearest the engine). Any small amount of water introduced during washing will drain automaticly.

 

[sradek]

This is the dumbest thread I have come across. Dumb and dumber. Shish

 

[GalaxyBlue]

This is the dumbest thread I have come across. Dumb and dumber. Shish

So which one are you? :huh: :lol:

 

[jestal]

This is the dumbest thread I have come across. Dumb and dumber. Shish

.............and so you are posting to get into the action.............????????????