Dehydration plug

[shifter]

Hi , there are many experts in this forum , perhaps someone can help me as to,where ,and if possible this unique item called a " Dehydration plug " can still be acquired, as it sounds an ideal solution for these coming months, I'm sure there is that someone  eh ? 🤔

[SteveD CB500K0]

Do you mean a dehumidifier?

[ST1100]

I assume their more used in aviation:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/categories/aircraft_parts/ap/menus/ep/sparkplugs_tools_dehydrator.html

Other things consist of a can/tank with desiccant and an aquarium air-pump circling dry air through the crankcase...

(aviation) Winter storage tips:
http://www.avweb.com/news/redundant/storing_your_airplane_for_winter_207881-1.html

[shifter]

Ere I may come from cider country , but I do know the difference between a dehumidifier and a motor cycle" dehydration plug " Steve ha , that was used on motorcycles a few years ago , just wondered if someone else has ever use this ,😎

[SteveD CB500K0]

Ahhh.

Cobalt Chloride...

Never heard of a dehydration plug though.  Looks like a good idea.

[ST1100]

LOL! 
Methinks protecting the combustion chamber on a motorcycle engine seems fairly easy, just remove the plugs, spray some conserving oil down there (like ACF-50), maybe spin the engine a bit to flush it around, and put the plugs back in.

If not run at least once a week, fumes, thus the by-products in the crank case are a different issue (especially with that wet ethanol fuel these days...), I've to admit that an "engine saver" circulating dry air (like an enclosed system between breather and oil filler), does seem to make sense...
AFAIK are there also oil additives avail, supposed to limit corrosion on crank, rods etc... but one needs to flush that out when putting the engine back into service.

[shifter]

This simple threaded plug contained a capsule  of desiccant ,screwed. Into the spark plug hole and soaks up moisture,when the yellow capsule turns blue, it's saturated indicating that it's time to pull off the cap and replace the capsule, this plug keeps the relative humidity in the engine down to less than 35% was stated,,
Just wondered if some members who haven't a well insulated , heated workshop, would benifit from this item , instead of squirting some untold liquids into the bores and perhaps doing unforeseen  damage to the internals ,
 PS, these Dehydrration plugs were available for around £10 for two inc four capsules ,

[ST1100]

What has bitten you? 
After all am I on your side in this... only that I think humidity (thus acids) in oil & crankcase need to be addressed as well.
I also wrote spray not pour...

And as for "untold liquids": http://www.acf-50.co.uk/motorcycle/default.htm

[royhall]

If it's absolutely necessary, I think I would rather squirt some engine oil in the bores and spin it over with the plugs out to evenly coat the bores valves etc.

From experience with ACF50, it appears to quite good at removing oil from surfaces so 'I to' would be hesitant to spray it into the bores.

Of course I may be completely wrong, may be best to email the manufacturer of ACF50 after Christmas.

Running the engine to full hot once a week would probably be a better bet all round. Make sure it is fully hot though or your exhausts will rot away.

[shifter]

Quite agree with you Roy , regarding the use of Acf 50, but I thought even starting it regularly it will still condensate after heating then cooling down  ,
I didn't think this topic would go this far as I was only interested to know if a similar easy item was on the market, as it seems very practical with llttle effort ,  I used this in the past in my TR ,,

[Nurse Julie]

It may sound too sinple for you technical wizzards but why dont you put all the bikes indoors like i do?. I never have a problem

[shifter]

 i dont need to bring my smelly bikes indoors , as i have a air conditioned workshop , like you julie i dont have worry about that , some one else may be not so fortunate ,as have a leaky shed etc, getting back to the original query, as to see if the "Dehydration plug" or similar  was still available?.
Obviously not, as the response is negative,
  "Happy Xmas to you all ' 

[ka-ja]

Season's greetings all,
                                    400/4, engine-oil and filter change, engine oil down sparkplug holes, turn over and replace plugs, engine internally sound with no rust or corrosion 24 years stood in outhouse, couldn't say same for external bike parts!

[taysidedragon]

I've never heard of Dehydration plugs but I'll ask the aircraft engineers at the airport I work at.

If you're that worried about condensation and corrosion why not get one of those fully enclosed bike bags which are designed to prevent that for the whole bike, not just the engine internals?

www.vac-bag.co.uk is one type available.

[Nurse Julie]

i dont need to bring my smelly bikes indoors , as i have a air conditioned workshop , like you julie i dont have worry about that , some one else may be not so fortunate ,as have a leaky shed etc, getting back to the original query, as to see if the "Dehydration plug" or similar  was still available?.
Obviously not, as the response is negative,
  "Happy Xmas to you all '

My new workshop is also air conditioned and heated when necessary but, there are certain bikes at home that need more than air con or heating to see them safely through the winter and I still find the front room / conservatory / kitchen, the best place to store them. I can also tinker when preparing the Xmas lunch. (see past post 'Fairy cakes and carb rebuilding'). We must all use whatever we have at our disposal and if that's a leaky old shed, so be it, many a bike has survived the winter sitting out on the kerb side with no protection whatsoever