Motorcycle Repair: Yamaha xj700 / Washed then died, check engine oil, plug caps

Question
Help!

I've owned my '85 Yamaha xj700 Maxim for about a year now. Yesterday I washed it and now it won't start correctly. I thought i was cautious not to get water into sensitive places, obviously i wasn't careful enough.

Here's what it does now:
- The starter turns the engine fine (probably not electrical)
- It idles alright, not great
- When i throtle it up, it sounds like something awful
- It sound like only one or two of the 4 cylinders will fire
- Honestly it sounds like one or two of the cylinders are binding

I have no idea why a simple water wash would make a cylinder bind up, so i'm left to imagine that this isn't the case.

Here's what i've tried:
- Choked and primed start - failed
- Drained the carbs in case there was water - failed
- Let it dry out then tried to start - failed

I'm totally lost, i don't want to want to lose this bike because i need transport. But to tow it and fix it will cost more than it's worth. Please, help me save my bike!

Thanks,
Mike
Mikesque@hotmail.com

Answer
Hi Mike,

Remove the spark plugs, ground plugs/caps, and crank engine. Watch for spark and any fluids exiting from pipes or cylinders.

Check engine oil for pressence of water. Oil will appear milky/creamy depending on how much water is present, if any.

Apply dielectric grease to all accessible electrical connectors. This will help prevent water shorting, which is what I suspect has happened. Clean and dry spark plug caps, and electrical connectors as you go.

Try the above and advise.

Respectfully,
Mark Shively