I'm in dire need of any information you guys may have regarding sand getting in the engine of a 400EX. Two members (bigal and b(250Rman)) have been gracious enough to offer up some information but I might need more if there is any.
The 400EX has a K&N filter with an outerwear, it has always been cleaned and well maintained. The ATV broke down after riding in some dunes in Colorado so I took it back to the dealer. Well the mechanic determined it had sand in the top end and the District Service Manager said it's not due to failed workmanship so shouldn't be covered under warranty. I was told it COULD have been due to a dirty filter (but the filter was clean). Any information you can share with me is greatly appreciated...I feel it should be covered and will fight it to the end.

Thanks,

 

did U talk to your dealer yet and tell them about what i said.

 

We talked to HondaCare (the warranty people) and I asked them to reference the case you gave me....they're looking into it.

I also asked HondaCare to reference the info Bigal gave me (he made a post about his filter falling off) and they said "it looks like his filter fell off...the mechanic did not mention that yours had fallen off". The District Service Manager is suppossed to drive down to the dealer to look at it.

Thanks,

 

IT'S A LONG SHOT, BUT YOU COULD HAVE SOMEONE ELSE CHECK YOUR MOTER OUT THAT IS A COMPETENT ATV MECHANIC TO MAKE SURE THAT SAND IS THE PROBLEM. WHERE YOU LIVE, THERE ARE PROBABLY A LOT OF RIDERS IN THE SAND AND IT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE TOP REASONS FOR TOP END PROBLEMS. SO WHAT DOES THE SIMPLE MECHANIC SAY IF AN ATV COMES IN WITH TOP END DAMAGE...UUUHHHH, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF SAND IN THE ENGINE....WE CAN'T FIX IT.
IF IT TURNS OUT THAT IS WAS DEFINATELY SAND IN THE ENGINE....TRASH THE K & N! POST THE RESULTS...I AM CURIOUS TO SEE IF IT WAS THE FILTER. HOPE THIS HELPS!

 

I live in vegas where there is hella sand and I have had my K&N for a while now with no problems. I have also pulled the rear boot off my carb to make sure no sand grit is getting to the motor. If you feel the inside of the carb, it should be as smooth as a babys bottom no grit....If grit then sand is getting inside the motor...I am going to Dumont Sand Dunes tonight.
I run my K&N with outerwear too and no lid on the airbox. I will let you know what happens...

 

Had a Hella time.... Not one prob..

 

I have rebuilt many hondas from sand and dust becase of the airbox itself not sealed from the FACTORY! Check where the rubber intake seals to the front of the airbox, I bet it isnt sealed well just like the many others I have seen, then it is HONDAS fault! Just to make sure, put a dab of white greese in the intake tract to trace any grit passing threw. On another note, I have seen many engines fail because of K&N includeing my friends Powerstroke disesl F-350 and that was a $5,000.00 mistake. I personly like the Uni Filter.
Joe

 

Your case sounds strange. I own an ATV repair shop and someone brought their 1999 400EX in after going to Glamis with a Uni filter that wasn't oiled. His bike wasn't in warranty anyway and was burning oil (smoking). We resurfaced the valves (replacing one of them) put in new valve seals, replaced his piston and installed a K&N filter and precharger. Hope this is some help.

 

NOTE FROM ATVBBS:

No duplicate posts, please.

atvbbs

 

They should drive out to your place, replace the palstic, buy you lunch and apologize for advertising a floor model as "new". What happened to good old customer service???