okay... last night I went muddin with one of my buddies on his 00' 300 Honda 4x4. The whole afternoon we were riding in the rain through big waterways and ditches. I was going through considerably more mud and water at first due to groundclearance and the good 4 wheel drive system. This was until We hit some really deep water ( up to the seat) (for a long period of time) and I think my engine got to cold and maybe there was to much back pressure on my exhaust ... but anyway... I need a way to keep the water from stalling my engine again. because as soon as we got it restarted it the pvt was full of water and to move the machine forward it felt likes the brakes were locked. after we drug it out of the creek and let it rev in nuetral for quite a few minutes it finally would move like normal again. This was my first time getting the belt to slip and in my opinion they won't slip unless the engine quits. (because of the forced air).

does anyone know of any easy, cheap ways to keep the engine from killing....and also the belt from screwing me over and embarassing me in the middle of nowhere? they would be much appreciated.

I have been very impressed with this machine so far and in my opinion is the best all around full size 4x4 utility atv.

 

The first thing I would tell you is that your machine is not a submarine, but besides that, the machine probably stalled due to the exhaust being under water and the back pressure that it created. The PVT will take on water even if the engine is kept running. If you follow the PVT snorkel up, it extends up under the gas tank/seat area. Any water over this point, and the PVT will take on water and the belt is going to slip. I have heard of guys fabricating snorkels to put on the PVT to extend this snorkel up as far as the air cleaner intake. The only problem that I have heard of with this configuration is that the system needs air to cool it, and any constriction of this air will cause the PVT system to run hot. As for keeping the engine running under water, I would be interested to hear some other opinions on this as I don't know how to make it work. Hope this helps.

 

I would really doubt that the water over the tail pipe made the motor stall. If water made enough back pressure to stall the motor than there would be no way you could blow air bubbles while under water. The water probably either got something wet, or your quad inhailed some causing it to stall. If there was water in the air box/breather inlets than it probably inhailed some.

 

there was absolutely no water in the air box.

 

There is not sufficient air pressure at low RPM's to keep water out of the belt housing. Sometimes, even at higher rpms water will enter. When the belt housing fills up, it boggs down the clutch which in turn kills the motor. If you are going to be in water that deep< I would snorkel the transmission and maybe the air intake for the motor. I have a 98 sportsman completely snorkeled. It will idle in water above my waist. (while I am sitting on the seat) If this is not what cause your bike to die, you may need to spray silicone sealant on all the electrical connections. This helped me. You can buy some at autozone. Good Luck

98 Sportsman Lift kit, snorkel, 27X12-12 Vamps with ITP Aluminum and Durablue spacers.

 

The water being over the exhaust probably did not stall the engine. I ride with water over the exhaust frequently without any problems. Did your motor suck up any water through the air box?

 

Pull your spark plug boot and put some DIELECTRIC grease in boot. Put boot back on problem solved. If there was no water in your airbox and no water in your engine oil your spark plug shorted out and killed motor. DIELECTRIC grease conducts electricity and keeps water out. This is an old swamp runner trick we used in the Florida Everglades works every time.

 

If its just water, your exhaust didn't play any part of killing the engine.... But, If it was "churned up thick soupy watery mud...." It CAN stall out your engine.. It doesnt let the 500's exhaust gas escape as fast as you are trying to breathe in and it chokes the engine down.. It WONT kill it by itself, it just wont rev out...
What I would do is what others have suggested, put dielectric grease on the sparkplug. Were you riding a "wheelie" thru the water, or trying to push the water on all fours?... If you get the Magnum deep enough than HAMMER the throttle and lean back.. it'll come up and you can walk it thru..