Hi Guys and Gals:

I was on a 70 mile run yesterday and had an absolute blast. We found everything from serious mud to some very heavy 2-3 feet of snow. After going thru some deep water (up to the headlights) I stopped to make sure there was no water in my air intake or the tranny vent as this was my first time thru some deeeep water. (deep to me) I went thru at a slow speed put but kept moving and stayed behing the wave in front of me. Everything was dry. But shortly after, thee ol' Cat seem to loose some power. Didn't have quite the same 'snap' as before. Still reached top speed but seemed to take longer. Also an hour later when breaking trail thru the snow it 'bogged down' and backfired when under "full throttle" in 4x4 low range. So I let the other quad break trail. Following him was ok but only if I kept the throttle OFF of full throttle (I was now in 4x4 high range) The air temperature was only about 45 deg. but the motor seemed (acted) like it was overheating. (just my humble opinion) A short time later we stopped for lunch and rested for about an hour. The motor was definetly cooled off by then and after that I had no more problems. Although there seemed to be a high pitched squeel/whine over and above the noise of the normal tranny noises. Also, it still doesn't seem to have the old "snap" it used to have.

Should I check the air filter and the tranny for fluid again? Could water in the rear-end be a problem and should I check there too?

Sorry about the long post but I wanted to give all the information I could. Also I am VERY pleased with my CAT and am surprised I am haveing any problems at all. (only 550 mi.) Any help or insights from you very (or not) experienced riders would be appreciated.

THANX

 

Shmoky:
Glad to hear you had such a good time riding, but then again, dagnabit, you just gave me that "itch" again. Heh heh heh. Yeah, it wouldn't hurt to check the airbox again, along with the tranny, just to be safe. Water sometimes has a way of "hiding out" somewhere before it shows up elsewhere. I'd check the airbox, then pull the drain under the right front floorboard-12mm bolt, which is the drain for the tranny. If there is anything in there, it will come out, and is much easier and faster than taking the cover and plate off. Water in there might take a little of that "snap" away. Another thing you could check relating to the air box, is the pcv valve. Boner mentioned this in one of his other topics, I tried it on mine as I have been up on the rear racks before several times, and even hung my 'Cat from a tree a few times for various reasons. What happens is, fluid finds it's way down into the pcv valve, that slight "cloggage" makes it run a little rough. To check this, pull the plug on the bottom, front corner of the airbox. There is a little finger like tube that sticks out the side towards your right rear tire, which has a plug on it. Pull that plug off, see if anything comes out. I had a slight bit of gunk come out on mine, seems to have made a real difference is smoother running. (THANKS BONER FOR THE THOUGHT, IT WORKED!)

Another thing to check, or look out for is the fuel. I had the same type of symptoms after riding in some very deep water before, but went away after the next tank of gas. Water had worked it's way up into the carb, and or the tank itself. I'd run about half a bottle of HEAT through with a full tank of gas, that will clear up any water that could be in there now. There is a breather on the carb, which is travels down underneath the seat. Now, I don't know a damn thing about carbs, so I'm not sure if this is an exhaust breather, or another type of vaccuum intake, or what, but I had water suck into this thing when I drowned the 'Cat, and had water in the carb itself. This made it run like crap till I drained the water out.

Well, can't really think of anything else off the top of my head right now. That is kind of a "worst case" scenario. I'd rather give the 'ol gal a little checkover, rather than just leave it and end up with future problems down the road that could very easily have been prevented now, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, best of luck, hope that helps-at least it's a start.

Mike

 

Sounds like some water got your spark plug wet or some how got in your carb. I would put some die-electric grease on the plug and run some carb cleaner in your next tank and see if that clears anything up.

 

Sounds like maybe you got some water in from your carb vent tubes, they are the lowest point of entry for water into carbs. Try draining your float bowl, I've even seen mud in there from the vent lines.

 

Thanx Guys for all your help and suggestions. I checked everything you all suggested except the carb float bowl. Couldn't find any moisture at all. Went for a ride on Sunday and during lunch break was walking around bike (admiring it--again)and noticed that the exhaust tail pipe was about 80% pinched off. Must have backed into a tree sometime on Friday and didn't realize that I hit the exhaust. I bent it open with my screwdriver and thought I might just cut it off right at the muffler and leave it sticking out straight. Would this hurt anything.

Thanx again for all suggestions.

 

That could very well be your problem. If engine cant remove the exhaust throught it cant take in fresh air in gas as easy.
mattyy

 

It won't hurt anything to cut it off, except maybe catching a wave up the exhaust, had it happen though with it bent down as well.