I am new to this site so i am sure something has been said about this b/f. Last night we were riding and we came across a creek, i was on my 2001 trailblazer following a 1998 bear tracker 250. He dropped off into some deep water, almost over the seat, but he pulled right out, hard bottom just deep, i went to follow him and within three seconds after my engine submerged it cut off, it took me a while to get it started, i got out of the water quickly and pulled the spark plug and spun it over and it was dry. I want to know what can i do, other than driving in any water, to keep this from happening, thanks


byro83

 

try taking your spark plug boot off the plug and putting some dielectric grease in there..sounds like you got water in there and thats what caused your problem..thats one of the cheapest and first things to try when that happens..if that doesnt do it let us know..good luck

 

Ah yes...a fellow submariner...You probably took water into the breather snorkel and it just took a while for the water to dry out. I usually take the air filter out of my Trailblazer and let everything dry out for a few minutes, then it starts back up. The thing to look for is a trace of water heading into the carburetor. Take a dry cloth and get as much as you can with the cloth. Here are some things to keep in mind if you like keeping up with the 4x4's going through the water:

- Keep your machine greased up to keep the water out. I now use marine grease for more water resistance.
- Drain the water out through the drain plugs under the starter and crankcase. Of course, do this as soon as you can. You'll be surprised how much water might come out.
- Change the oil in the gear box as soon as you can. Change it more than once if you find water. Don't make the same $700 mistake I did.
- Always make sure your manual starter handle is seated firmly. It keeps water out (bad design).
- Know exactly the height of your air intake. That is your water limit.

I like the dielectric grease tip above and welcome anyone else posting any waterproofing tips.

 

Was your airbox fullof water? In yes, that of course was part of your problem.

You problem is most like die to the drain line off the bowl of the carb. If you plan to ride in deep water, you need to plug it.

Greg

 

Another thing you might want to consider. Replace your paper airfilter
(thats what the Sp 500 has anyway) with a foam filter. This way when you get water in your airbox, you can ring out the water from the foam filter. The paper filter just absorbs the water and restricts the air flow. Also, when you hit the water fast the water gets forced up into the airbox so watch out for that when hitting the water fast. We found this out the hard way riding in the hills of West Virginia. Happy Trails [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

ah yes another like me that uses his wheeler like a man the first time i sunk and stalled my 500 ho it was a bitch to get going the air box filled and the stock paper filter collapsed and it wouldnt run right the rest of the day I replace it with a K&N filter and ever since ive had no trouble once i fish it out getting it going again Ive sunk mine past the bars at least a dozen times and it has sat at the bottom of creeks stalled for up to 15 minutes a couple times and i always ride it home (ilove this machine) anyways a little info on getting going after a sink pull the plug on the airbox to let out water turn it over without the choke (hondas need the choke) once it starts firing just let it idle dont try to rev it the next problem is its not going to wanna go cause the clutch housing is full of water to cure put it in gear(low or high) and have a buddy tow ya at at least 5-10 mph while its running and it will kick all the water back out of the housing once thats done you can do the belt drying (wide open in neutral for 7 seconds) and you should be ready to go when ya get home grease and change oil if its milky and in case ya didnt know your gonna need to change it a couple times i use cheap oil to flush it then put the synthetic in well just a few things ive learned after many many sinks