First itme posting, so here it goes! I have a 2006 Arctic cat TRV 400 auto. Brothers and friends bought Honda Rubiocon and Foremans. I liked the arctic cat trv for 2 person riding. We were out the other day on a fairly muddy/water trail and all bikes mad it throught the water holes with out any problems what so ever. I stalled twice and had water in the front portion of my air box. Sad thing is a Suzuki Ozark 250 went through the same hole as us with no problems. The water was just below headlights. I really don't want a snorkel to stick out of the front. Is this normal for the Arctic cat atv's. Can i snorkel under the fender? Can't find anything for snorkel kits for 400 trv! i want to purchase 500 cc bike for when i ride by myself but really don't know if I will buy another arctic cat. I must say the TRV 400 is built like a tank, rides great, I don't think it lacks power, is a bit slower than other 400 class atv's, that dosn't concern me for I'm not into speed. I do realize the water issue is an easy fix (just stay out of the deep water) but why would bikes with less ground clearence make it and I didn't, especially a 250 Ozark. The bike I had before this was a 2003 Yamaha Wolverine. Great trail bike but not a mudder!

 

Bugmud,

I may be wrong but I believe that in 2006 they changed the design and moved the fuel tank under the rear plastic and the air intake to up under the front plastic. To me it seems only logical that if the air intake is under the front fenders it will scoop up water when entereing a mud hole if you are not careful. My older 2003 TRV has the older style intake that comes up between the front mounted fuel tank and the seat. I have had water up the the bottom of the seat and not had a single problem.

I think you may need to snorkel it or change the way in which you enter a water hole. I do know from experience that most people want to mash the throttle and plow into a hole with as much speed as they can muster. This, from my experience, causes a wave to be generated that is more than likely the cause of your problems with you given intake location. I do not know what Arctic Cat was thinking in placing the intake up there and I am hoping that some one else here with more insight into what goes on at AC can answer that.

As for now, I would play around with different methods of entering holes. I personally prefer to enter at a slower speed to keep the splash down, and keep a steady speed. I have my best luck with this method. OR snorkel your ATV.

As for a 250 ozark doing better than your TRV. It weights about half your TRV and probably has the same or similar sized tires. So if there is a bunch of water it will float easier than you TRV. This also does not take into account rider experience which can make a huge difference.

Hope this helps.

SJ

 

Swampy Junior,

Thanks for responding! I went out today and entered into a creek which was about 2 1/2 feet deep. The banks were really steep and my headlights/bumper went in first. I went very slow and did not splash any water by entering and it happened again. I personally think the air intake is a dumb design for a off road utility, however I'm sure the engineers had there reasons. I have been riding for a good number of years and never had problem with my Wolverine and or Honda fourtrax in water. The Ozark at times we will have to winch him out of holes (only 2wd), but the bike stays running unlike my TRV. Problem with snorkeling is I can not find a 400 TRV snorkel kit. Does anyone know if I can snorkel the TRV under the fender, although I may not gain much by doing this. The TRV only has a front rack and I do not want to interfere with the front rack (only place to put anything, unless I bought the rear box and or rack.

I absolutely love the trv except for this water issue. I have 25 inch mudbugs, a 3000 # Viper winch w/ synthetic cable. The TRV 400 is a great climber much better than a normal ATV IMHO, will eat deep mud with no problem, has a smooth ride, and I have had over 900 pounds on it and climbed a very steep during hunting season. I have had no problems with it. Just incase anyone was wondering if it lacked power, I have not had any problem what so ever spinning the mudbugs in the thickest mud and never ran out of power while climbing some very steep hills. Anyone else have any advice or knowledge on how to snorkel the TRV.

 

swampy is right about the air intake location on the 06 but i havent had any issues with taking on water and ive had my front racks under water on an approach to a water hole. make sure you dont have any loose connections in your air intake thats allowing water in somewhere else.not saying swampys wrong i may have just been lucky so far. but keep this in mind water may not be a strong suit for your cat but youll leave people in awe when they see the stuff you get through and they couldnt on there best day. also check out www.arcticchat.com lots of good people there too alot of them are on here as well and everyone will help with anything they can. not saying this site wont but its good to be able to have 2 resources good luck

 

I switched to a VDI snorkel, which is just a short hose that leaves the actual intake up right underneath the handlebars. While stock it was using a water trap intake up underneath the front plastic. I never had any problems with water using the stock intake, but before you get pissed at AC remember they aren't building submarines. If you want to be in water up to the seat you should take a few precautions to make sure you aren't going to take your piston swimming.

 

Chumley,

I'm not pissed at Arctic cat. Nor do I think riding slowly through 2 1/2 feet of water should get into my airbox. I bought the Arctic cat with the impression that it is a great mud runner. If a suzuki Ozark 250 2wd can go through a water hole I would think a TRV 400 4wd and sitting up much higher would get through without a problem as well. As for the Honda Rubicon, Foreman and Suzuki Eiger all made it as well (they went through much faster and box was dry). They made it (all stock atv's) the Arctic cat should to. I am just looking for a solution to my problem other than avoiding deep water. If I can snorekl it under the fenders or some other way OTHER than cutting my plastic and running a snorkel up through my front racks then I will. Where can I buy a VDI snorkel? Thanks for the input!

 

Honestly I'm not sure if the VDI snorkel will work for you, maybe someone else can tell you for sure. I mention it because of how simple it is, just a simple hose up by the air box, something easily duplicated with a quick trip to your local parts store for a piece of hose.

I don't recommend full blown snorks, just a little relocation of intake.

You shouldn't have had problems with water below the headlight, but there must have been water deeper than that at some point for you to get water in the front airbox.

 

I mostly experience the problem when entering water from a steep incline. If the bumper/headlights go in first I will most likely get water in the air box. After a deep hole I have gone through even if the TRV did not have a problem, I will check the air box to see if it got wet. I noticed the front portion of the air box will have some muddy water in it, (the duck bill) will drain it out, nevertheless my air filter will get wet (not saturated). I purchased 2 air filters for my TRV and after each ride I change the filter (and clean the one I just used for the next time out). I do not abuse my equipment. My TRV has 150 miles on it and has had 4 oil changes, and the differentials been changed twice, not because the oil got dirty, but thats the way I like to take care of things, (Little OCD but hey). Believe me my vehicles/TRV look like new at all times (if not riding in mud). I looked at the air intake system and can't see anything that looks loose. The front box (near front end) looks like a sqauare box with a hole in the middle, feels like it may be a two piece. This may be where I can do somthing to correct my water issues. Another reason I may be experience the problem vs normal arctic cat atv, is that I have 10 inches of clearance instead of 13 inches. Maybe the normal atv sits up 3 inches higher, however i really don't know! Also my belt has never slipped and I have never drained water from belt drain plug, I check it just never had water come out.

I spoke to a arctic cat mechanic (local dealer) and he told me the arctic cat (2006/07) atv's seem to be more sensitive to water than previous years. He stated the air intake design makes a rider much more aware when entering water. I asked him about the front portion of the air box getting wet/dirty when entering into a water hole. He said it will not hurt anything unless I was to fill the main portion of the box with water. I asked how much damage will it cause if water gets in the oil. He said it happens to engines all the time, and if I were to get water in my oil, to change it as soon as possible, flush it until it is clean again, said you will be good to go. He said the engines are built to take a beating but not abused (meaning to change fluids when the time comes).

Out riding and my firend on his new Rubicon went through an area and completely submerged his bike (only the top portion of handlebars out of water). Never rode this area before and he is one of them (crazy/gutsy) riders, will just about try anything!!!! I pulled winchedhis bike out. Not sure on everything to do, we stood bike on end drained out water until it was barely dripping, pulled the air filter out and cleaned out box, pulled spark plug and turned the on off witch to off and cranked the bike over a few times. Water did come out of the spark plug hole but not alot. Checked the oil and it did not appear to have any milky color to it. Put the bike back together and it fired right up, let it idle for 5 minutes and away we went. We checked the oil after riding for about a 1/2 hour and it was clean, not signs of water, so we fisnished the day. That bike was in the water submerged for nearly 5 minutes. How is it possible for water not to have gotten into the engine/transmission. Will this be for any type of ATV (don't want to give Honda more credit) I get picked on enough between my brother's and friends with there Honda's and my Arctic cat. I pray I never sumbmerge my TRV or any atv like he did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry for the long post!

 

Hey Mudbug. I have a 05 300 Arctic Cat. I have had my bike over the headlights up to the bottom of the fuel tank. The spark plug is below the fuel tank. I dont know how or why it never stalled out but just keeps buzzing along. Now my air intake is located at the bottom of my throne just above the base of the fuel tank. I agree with not wanting to distroy a newer bike and put hole in the plastic faring. I think I would see if the intake could rerouted someway you just have got to use your imagination a little. As for design well it is a two rider vehicle (TRV) and the majority of owners who ride the TRV would'nt be going through deep water, I guess the TRV isnt designed for hard core bogg"in now not to say that it could of been a better air intake design. Dont give up just yet on the TRV. You say its a great ATV and you like it other than a little submarine aqua action. My little 300 is low for some areas but I use a little common sence and approach things diffrently. My friend has a 500 AC and I get the same places he does and sometimes places he cant because of the physical size of the 500. I know when you get into a car there are things we like and dont like but overall its still a great car. So to wrap it up give it time like anything new it takes a while to figure it out and dont distroy the plastic faring with holes what a shame it would be
MrJ

 

Just at the dealer today and and spoke to the owner. He stated for me to get creative with the air intake and If need be snorkel it through the front fender. This particular dealership said the design of the Arctic cat was not made to run in water higher than the engine. He also told me I can still have my warranty if I did do it. He said warranty work has alot to do with the dealer and he will definitely stand behind it. I think I may remove the front box and see if I can run some sort of flex line up under my pod. Won't get to it for a week or so. If anyone has an idea I would love to hear it. Honestly, other than the water I have absolutely no complaints for the cat! Still want to buy a single rider unit but not sure what I will end up with.