Bus won't start in wet

[grumble]

Thanks Mark, I’ll check that as soon as I get home. 

Thanks to everyone, this forum is truly invaluable…

ASH

Barry and Mark are on the money, some distributor caps and rotors absorb moisture and consequently the spark takes the shortest route which is to earth via the moisture. Fit a new cap and rotor from a reputable supplier and if you still have problems drill a 2mm hole in the lowest side of the cap to vent the cap. I found this worked when I worked at a beach side town due to the humidity quite a few years ago.

[Oldman]

That’s a great tip Les.
I’m going to have to consider that…….

Thanks

[WorkInProgress]

Barry and Mark are on the money, some distributor caps and rotors absorb moisture and consequently the spark takes the shortest route which is to earth via the moisture. Fit a new cap and rotor from a reputable supplier and if you still have problems drill a 2mm hole in the lowest side of the cap to vent the cap. I found this worked when I worked at a beach side town due to the humidity quite a few years ago.

Well I swapped out the cap and rotor yesterday for brand new Bosch. It rained last night (as it does) so I thought what better test for the new parts.  Yep, nothings changed... except this time after about 10 solid cranks it eventually fired (with some pumping of the accelerator) and shuddered to life. I'm officially at my wits end...

I don't really want to drill a hole in a brand new cap, however maybe I might need to...

[Oldman]

Guessing you checked the contacts on the HT leads to all plugs - both ends, and both ends of the coil HT lead ?
Check your inline fuel filter for signs of crap / water......

[WorkInProgress]

Guessing you checked the contacts on the HT leads to all plugs - both ends, and both ends of the coil HT lead ?
Check your inline fuel filter for signs of crap / water......

Hi Mark,
Yeah checked the HT leads, pulled all of them off individually.  I'll have a look at the fuel filter today. Thanks.

[Oldman]

Any progress ?

[grumble]

Hi Mark,
Yeah checked the HT leads, pulled all of them off individually.  I'll have a look at the fuel filter today. Thanks.

Are they the original wire type or aftermarket leads ? The silicon leads have a lot of resistance and can cause a lot of problems like you are experiencing. Check each lead with an ohm meter for the resistance, the wire leads should have very little resistance as the resistor is in the plug connector.

[Mordred]

Along that line too, if the leads are old and/or dirty, and/or the insulator on the plugs are dirty that will also give a path to ground when the ambient environment is moist that could be a contributing factor in your issues.
I know a full set of Bosch leads isn't cheap but it could be a worth while investment if you had tried everything else.  At the very least taking the leads out, wiping them down and then drying in a warm dry room should make a difference.  
Electricity is a fickle thing and it will leak across anything even remotely conductive if it is given the chance, and the higher the voltage the easier it is for it to do it.

Adrian

[WorkInProgress]

Hey guys,

Sorry I've been busy with work the past few days.  Ok, so... since the last post I've been back through everything as there has to be a reason for it.  I took all the leads off and cleaned every one of them (they were pretty clean anyway.) Put everything back on, then decided to try the trick of drilling the hole in the cap. I decided to use the old cap just in case.  I put the old cap and rotor back on and fired it up.  No dramas. So far, so good. It's been 96% humidity up here the past few days and it rained last night (of course). Just went out and started it up, started first go.  I'm not celebrating yet, but it's a small win so I'll take it for now.

I'm not sure if they're the original leads or aftermarket, but maybe I'll invest in a new set of Bosch anyway.

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I'm keeping everything crossed  

ASH

[grumble]

Hey guys,

Sorry I've been busy with work the past few days.  Ok, so... since the last post I've been back through everything as there has to be a reason for it.  I took all the leads off and cleaned every one of them (they were pretty clean anyway.) Put everything back on, then decided to try the trick of drilling the hole in the cap. I decided to use the old cap just in case.  I put the old cap and rotor back on and fired it up.  No dramas. So far, so good. It's been 96% humidity up here the past few days and it rained last night (of course). Just went out and started it up, started first go.  I'm not celebrating yet, but it's a small win so I'll take it for now.

I'm not sure if they're the original leads or aftermarket, but maybe I'll invest in a new set of Bosch anyway.

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I'm keeping everything crossed  

ASH

Mick's Motors or Tooley Imports carry good quality aftermarket parts at reasonable prices.