I have an 06 400 auto. I got it buried up to the front racks in mud and water. Anyway got water and mud in the carb and engine. Cleaned the carb out and put it back on the bike and it started up. My freind said run it for 5 min to let engine warm up checked the oil and it was creamy. So I changed the oil 4 times and drained the filter every time and finished it with new ow-40 syn and a filter. Heres the problem, Sometimes when engine cold and sometimes when hot it will tick more like a rod knocking but it goes away on exceleration and it doesn't knock- tick all the time. Took it to the dealer and told them it started doing it after I put in the syn oil. They said that wouldn't cause it and unless it does it all the time they can't check an intermident problem like that. So I said I will drive it till it throws a rod. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks I'm stayin' out of the deep stuff.

 

try a different dealer. i dont know where you live but if your close try plaistow power sports its in plaistow nh www.plaistowpowersports.com. i had alot of problems with my quad since the day i bought it about 5 months ago and the have been awesome they finally figured out my problem and went straight to AC and got me a whole new front diff and axles etc. anyways just find a decent dealer bear will be around eventually and hell tell you he passed up the closest dealer for better service youll need one that goes to bat for you with AC if there is a problem with your quad and in the mean time and maybe in the future you might want to try to keep from driving through ponds with your quad lol good luck let us know if you find a good dealer

 

I've never been in deep mud like you were, but from time to time I hear the ticking noise when I start it up, but goes away in a couple of minutes. Also, after I wash the ATV, I hear it, but I'm not spraying water directly into any critical parts.

 

are you sure the noise wasnt there before,maybe not as loud though. i ask because mine did the same after i had swamped it and i needed a valve adjustment. no more ticking. just a thought especially if its never been done.

 

I agree with mudslinginfool, i had an 04 AC 400i auto and it had the same tick. I adjusted the valve gaps and the tick went away. The only oil I ever ran it it was synthetic

 

I went riding Saturday and the 3 guys I went riding with are Ford mech. They all heard it and said it was coming from the lower end. It is a very intermitent problem. Bike ran fine for the 30 miles I rode.