I had to cross a flash flood river and got water into the gearbox on my 88 250R. By the time I got home, the clutch had a little chatter to it when you get on it hard(taking off or slipping to get up a hill). I changed the oil and took a test ride and it still does it a little when I take off hard. If I let it out easy, no problem, but get aggressive with it and I get a little chatter. The clutch is recently replaced and I put the update into it. The oil is still a little contaminated, but before I change it, should I replace the clutch? Did the contaminated oil burn up my fiber plates? I have an 85 ATC 250R and have never had this problem and I have submarined that poor machine several times. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

change the oil out again..water won't damage a clutch (unless left un cleaned for a long time)

 

Why do you think it did this on my 88 and never on my 85?

 

If the contaminated oil caused the clutch to slip enough, it could have overheated, causing "hot spots" to form on the metal plates, which can cause the "chattering" you are experiencing.

I hosed the clutch on my 86atc250r pulling a broken bike 4 miles out of the woods (broken swingarm, not fun), to this day, if I get it hot, it tends to grab on release, although it holds great...

If the oil is still contaminated, I would first get it completely cleaned before passing any judgement on the condition of the clutch. Eliminate your variables before ordering parts.

 

Be sure to route your tranny breather hose up into the frame so this does not happen again.
ERIC

 

what do you mean on routing it to the frame?

 

Thanks for all the help here guys, I guess I will change the oil again. When I do replace the clutch, I will opt for the whole kit rather than just the fiber plates. I gotta tear the whole machine down anyway to re-grease everything anyhow.
On a side note, has anyone installed a twist throttle and found the return spring just too light? I have a carb spring on order for an 88 cr250. If that fixex the problem, I'll post it here.
Thanks.

 

By re-routing the tranny breather hose up around the frame somewhere, water will not get sucked into the hose. The transmission can suck or push out air. If the hose is routed straight down, it can pick up water if you go through deep enough water/mud. My hose goes straigh up under the gas tank. When I rebuilt my engine this spring, I found a bunch of crap in the transmission case area.
ERIC

 

ok that is what i thought just wondered because you can not put it in the frane tube but i did not know if you were talking about the atc. thanks fore the info and mine is up high.