No problems, yet, been through multiple stream crossings & plenty of mud holes.

Don't know about the winch being water proof.

 

You shouldn't have a problem if your air intake is above the water. But should you be in water that's too deep and there's no getting out in time, shut the engine off, hop off and try to hold it up until someone can hook on and tow you out.

I made the mistake last weekend of not shutting it off, then even a bigger blunder is I tried starting it up when it was under water. Engine and carb full of water.

If your engine takes in water then drain the oil, take off the filter, replace the oil with diesel fuel and turn the starter over to get all the water/oil out. Slosh it around then drain the diesel. I just did this yesterday and it got all the water out.

If it starts but then kills when you hit the throttle you've got water in the carb. Drain the bowl in the carb. Depending on the soil content of the mud/water you might have dirt or sand in the carb as well, so you might have to dowse it with carb cleaner.

I wouldn't worry much about getting the winch wet.