My son rolled the brand new 500 auto into a ditch with his girlfriend on the back. Then left it in three feet of water upside down till he could get help getting it out. Got it home and he tried to start it but water had filled the air cleaner box. When he tried to start it of course water got sucked into the carb and now I see water in the oil?!?!?! What are the suggested steps that should be taken now?
Thanks MUCH for any advice.
Doug

 

Do not Start the motor!!!
Make sure all the water is out of the air box and breathers.
Drain the oil ASAP. Let it drain a long time to get as much out as possible.
change the filter.
Then refill it with oil
Start it and run it a little bit
Look at the oil and make sure it does not have a milky look to it.
To be safe, I'd change the oil again right away.

Hope this helps....

 

Thanks VMaxdlx, unfortunately, myson did try to start it and that's probly what got the water in the oil. I have it draining now and have a heat light on it to help evaporate remaining moisture. Is the trany subject to infection from the water or is it a sealed component from the motor?

 

the traney is open to the motor, the are lubricated by the oil together. I agree with Vmaxdlx, be sure to do the second oil /filter change after running motor to get it up to operating temp for about 3-5 min. this should do the trick

 

Having been a recreational marine mechanic for a real long time, I am very familiar with water in the motor. While oil is draining you need to drain the carb and gas tank, at least until you don't have water coming out anymore. If water was in to the cylinder, probably because of the attempted start up, the plug is most likely wet. You can dry them sometimes, but a new on is a better way to go. While the plug is out and after the oil is changed, crank the motor over with your finger blocking most of the plug hole, this will get most of the water out of the cylinder. Be careful of the plug wire, it can bite you. Best thing to do is put a spark plug in the wire and grounf it to the engine. Chances are the oil will need a 3rd change, but run the motor for an hour or so so it will dry any non-oiled water in the motor, if the oil isn't milky or streaked then skip the thrid change.

 

Last tip: Keep your son off your new 500... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] Good luck with it and I'm glad nothing got hurt but his pride...

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] Probably easier said than done. Don't let him ride 2 up either.

 

Thanks all for the replies.
My son and I spent most of today taking the air intake system off and cleaning mud and water out of it. Had the oil draining most of the day as well. Tonight we got it all tucked back together and filled it with fresh oil and a new filter. Left the plug out and cranked it over a bit then put the plug in and started it. Let it run just enough to warm up then drained the oil/replaced the filter. Oil was very/very milky, mostly white.
Repeated the process again and oil was only slightly better. Am letting it drain till tomorrow night and start over again.
Feel bad for the boy and the quad. He's only 19 and the quad only had 400 miles on it?!?! They are both much older now...

 

If you would like a short cut on the oil changing to get the water out I know one. But will not put it on the forum as some people freak out about it, I feel it is your choice to use it or not and will give you the warnings that go with it. However it does work and I have used it on at least 50 water filled engines and had no problems after the short cut. I saved my customers money and freed my shop schedule a bit.

 

OK Bear, send your idea re: removing the water in the motor.
to me @ w8dug@yahoo.com
Regards,
Doug