Lately I have been taking advantage of our torrential rains by riding my 2k SP500 through the flooded ditches, etc. around town. The high speed and deep water have combined to get water into my belt eventually, leading to slippage. I remember reading about people laying a bead of silicone around the rubber seal of the plastic cover, which I did tonight. I have a couple of questions though:

1. was I supposed to only lay a bead of silicone on the seam between the two plastic pieces from the outside? I removed the outer cover and foam seal completely, laid a generous bead in the groove, put the foam seal on, and then laid another bead on the "tongue" of the outer cover. I am beginning to wonder if I will ever be able to separate the two pieces again.

2. I am going to assume that the next time I remove the outer cover, (if possible) that the foam seal will be completely torn up in the process. Is this something that people just buy another one from the dealer, or are there any other cheaper or better solutions.

3. I noticed that my air filter was pretty well soaking wet, and there was a little bit of water at the bottom of the enclosure. at the bottom of the enclosure there is a rubber drain tube with a red plug at the bottom to keep water from entering when you are in really deep stuff. In my situation, the water was never above the tires, it is just that I was splashing so much of it all over the place that it splashed into the intake. Would I have been better off to take that plug out, so that any water entering the air case will immediately drain out?

4. I really enjoy playing in the water, going really fast through water that is rarely over the wheels. I'm thinking about snorkeling both the air intake for the belt and the air filter, because I'm pretty sure that the water is splashing up and into both intakes. I'm not interested in cutting any holes into my plastic though to fit round pvc piping like most people do. Is there anyone out there who has a really clean setup that didn't require cutting holes in the body panels? Can you heat up the pvc and mold it so it will fit beneath the panels? What about heavy duty rubber hosing? Picture of any setups would be extremely helpful.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Scott

 

I believe you were suppose to take the foam seal out before putting the silicone in. And you are supposed to put a thin layer of grease in between the silicon and plastci this is just what I have heard

 

The foam rubber seal is very inexpensive and SHOULD be replaced each time you remove the cover,in fact,any gasket that has been previously compressed,should be replaced.

Your sealing proceedure is fine,just hope you allowed a few hrs curing time for the silicone to dry before venturing out in the water.

DO NOT ride with the red cap off of your air box sediment tube at any time.It sets low to the ground and it's purpose is to let out water that has made it to the air box.By removing it and constantly playing in water will defeat its purpose.Im recommending you go to a KN air filter also,since it is more waterproof than the stock ones.Dont forget to change the oil/filter more often under your riding conditions.===Bill

 

I have found that water enters the air box and belt drive intake as it is splashed between the plastic panel that covers the gas tank, and the gas tank it self. If you look closly you will notice that a gap exists so that high velocity water thrown up by the front wheels can head directly to this gap. I plan to try either expanding foam insulation to close this area, or perhaps some foam rubber that is used for insulating household pipes. If you can get this gap sealed off,then the only way in would be through the air holes in the side of the tank. I doubt very much that the water has been getting in through your belt cover while running such shallow water.