I ran off into about 4-5 feet of water today and of course stalled my Rancher FM. The bike was completely submerged only secends but it did stall the engine. After towing it out, draining the air filter housing(1-2 inches water in the bottom), and tilting the Rancher up on its end to drain water from the exhaust, it wouldn't turn over. After using the manual pull start to turn over the engine a time or two, the ATV started instantly when using the electric start. It did blow a water mist out the exhaust for a few seconds but after that everything was fine. I checked the oil and it looks normal. Any other preventive maintance advice/comments related to my incident would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

Basically,
You check everything.... I've serviced atleast 50 machines after "swampouts". It seems that most of the time, the engine oil will have water in it. I've seen some only have slight amounts, then others such as a Foreman 400 was FULL of water. Check your differential oil at both ends for water (milky oil) Check your engine oil another time or two jsut to make sure it doesn't crop up.. Personally, I'd go ahead and assume that the oil is bad and change it.
Drain the carburetor bowl.
Just an FYI... but NEVER use the electric start immediately after drowning it out. If you have water ontop of the piston and its in the right portion of the cycle, you can shatter the piston and/or bend the rod by using the electric start. Just remember, WATER and or MUD does NOT COMPRESS!!!..

 

I have heard that once you drown a wheeler you should take the plug(s) out, and turn it over before you try start it. kind of late but next time youll know.

 

Thanks for the advice. Bought my replacement oil/oil filter today. Also picked up differential oil just in case. Next time I get around unfamiliar water, I'm gonna follow instead of going first!