i've got a 2000 rancher 4x4 and i ride in water all the time. the last two times i went in the water, water got in the oil(both times). i changed the both times and cannot figure out where the water is coming from. all this spring and last fall i was in the same water and never had a problem with water getting in the oil. one time i almost filled the air box with water and i didn't get any water in the oil. so as you can see i'm riding it pretty deep. any clue as to why all of a sudden i'm getting water in the oil now? also, is it a big deal if water does get in the oil and you use your machine? appreciate any help, thanks- dana p.s. - i extended the tubes off the carb and brakes up to the front under the handle bars already

 

First off I replied to your other post. You need to plug up the carb drain (not reroute it) and you will not die in water. Use a stick or a screw.

There are a number of places that water could come in includeing things like a bad o-ring around the oil fill cap. The two main places where you can get it in are filling the airbox up and through the exhaust. If you are running without a snorkel then check your airbox VERY often for water. If it dies underwater then it is possible that water went up your exhaust. When this happens DO NOT START THE ATV.

Drag it to dry land and stand it up on end until the water drains out of the exhaust. Then pull the plug and hit the starter. Water will shoot out of the cylinder. If you try to start the atv with water on the piston you can realy screw up your engine.

If you suspect or know there is water in the oil, dump it, and get a tow back to your truck. If you run the atv with water in your oil you will screw up your engine.

 

I know this is a really old post but I have to add... I have no idea where your water may be getting in. But once the water gets in you have to get it out. Water and motor oil DO MIX (such an old addage so wrong)to create milkshake appearing substance that's just about the death of engines. Once upon a time about two years ago I called central maintenance about a blown gasket leaking cooling water into my detroit deisel. Their brilliant reply, add more water and keep going- we'll service it next time you get in. A week later the engine made a noise, ten miles leter it ground to a halt (with a lot of banging going on inside.) After a major wrecker bill at the repair shop they removed the oil plug nothing came out... They poked a screw driver in to push it through the metal debris in the bottom of the oil pan, and eventually got a trickle of metal/oil/water goo to start coming out. The detriot desiel was toast, total loss, to the tune of $18,000 (DD's don't come cheap, paticularly with zero core components left to trade with, the engine was at 400,000 miles about one thrid through it's lifespan) plus $700 for wrecking-for the choice of skipping a gasket installation and a day downtime.