I was riding this weekend and tried a mud hole... didnt; look that big but it was kidna deep.

I stalled out in the middle and I couldnt start it with the electric starter (dead Battery), Pulled it out of the hole, and tried the recoil starter...

AFter doing this I sucker water in through the exhaust which was barely under water....


I starter it up after takin out the spark plug out and pullling the recoil starter to blow the water out of the cylinder.....

It started right up.... drove it for about half a mile in ESP and then I stopped to listen to the engine to make sure everything was alright.....

Then i when to pull out i would put it in gear and there would be a grinding sound and it wouldnt engage into gear..... I got towed back and drained the oil.... it was milky and I have to flush the engine and change the oil and filter.....

However, would water in the oil make the tranny not engage??

 

yes, it can make the oil foam and in turn the hydrostat tranny cavitate


----- Gimpster -----

 

It would be my recommendation to NEVER EVER drive a rubicon after sinking it. Its risky enough to drive a normal manual shift bike after sinking (and eventually getting it running again.)

Water in the oil changes things, the oil will no longer lubricate the same, and in the case of the Rubicon will not run properly. This can cause engine damage if driven, and likely damage to the tranny in the rubicon which is more complicated then most.

You did right in the end by gettting towed home.

To get the oil to go clear again, your going to have to do 5-6 oil changes. First drain the oil and refill with fresh (leave the oil filter alone for now). Start the engine and let it idle for about 10 minuites and then shut off and change the oil again. Keep repeating until the oil is no longer mikly, on the 2nd, 3rd & 4th oil changes you may be able to take the bike for a little run around to make sure your getting the contaminated oil out of the tranny.

You may think you'll get away with less oil changes, but after running the bike you'll see that it goes back milky again and again.

For these initial changes, I use cheap ATV safe oil and when it finally goes clear I go back to Honda Synthetic oil and change the filter.

 

Another tip for anyone riding in deep water is to have enough oil to do 1-2 oil changes in the woods, this way you'll probably get the oil clean enough to be able to ride home if your a long way in the country. Make sure oil is drained into a container and packed out and not drained into the enviroment.

 

General question about the Rubicon..... are there any breather tubes that could have let water into the tank?

The water just up to the bottom of the seat. I know a little got into the cylinder through the exhaust, but I can't figure out how it got in the oil.....

 

If you got water in the airbox it most likelt went down the crank case vent which is attached to the airbox. Check out triangle atv's website, they have some tips for the Foreman that may apply to the Rubicon. One of the ones I performed was making a longer and re-routed vent for the crank case.

Water can get in the gas through the gas tank vent sometimes, its never been a problem for me though.

 

try rear seal by the pull start i found out where mine was getting water in oil when i drove it up my loading ramps and left it setting for a few min. you have to get the front up high enough to let the oil leak out the rear seal. its easy to change for around 10 to 15 bucks