I have a 1997 Sportsman 500 and everytime I get in somewhat deep water or mud the fourwheeler starts running rough like there is something wrong with the carb. But as soon as I come out of the water or mud it magically clears up. Could water in the belt housing cause the atv to run rough. I did open the cover and could see where some mud has entered. Please help, this is embarrassing when I go with my friends and have to get pulled out of a hole.

Thanks

 

what exactly is running rough? the engine? its more than likely sucking some water into the carb somehow, if it gets into the clutch then the belt starts to slip. hope this helps.
phil

 

well, the engine starts missing, not firing right, loose about all power, I checked the airbox and it is clean as a whistle, I wonder where else water could enter in the carb?

 

bump

 

Don't know if it applies in this case or not. My buddy's Prairie will create steam from hitting water. It seems that it gets injested into the intake and it will run rough for a few seconds...something to look at

 

maybe its not what you think man. If you say when you go into water, it runs roght them maybe you have a hole or crack in your clutch cover and when you enter water, the water gets into the clutch cover causing the belt to slip which means that you have no power. I dont no but it verry wll could be. If you do have a crack in that cover you will want to replace that asap, or you will look even worse when you go into water and your belt starts slippin, then you have to wait for the thing to dry out.

 

I second that. Happens to my buddy's TB. When he hits the water, it bogs and sometimes dies. But when you pop the airbox open, its totally dry and clean.

Water hits the hot engine, turns into steam, then gets sucked into the intake. I have seem some older sportsmans with holes drilled in the plastic around the gascap that supposedly helps with this problem, to let steam out and dry air in, but have never talked to anyone that has done it.