Went riding with some friends on a ranch 100 miles from the house. When we arrived the water was high due to the vast amount of rainfall this year and was covering most of the trails. The ride was pretty much over as the majority of the ranch was not accessible BUT, we tried to make do and wouldn't ya know I ran my machine off into a deep hole.

I pulled it out and stood it on the rear rack to drain the exhaust, turned it over, cranked it and it ran fine for a minute or two then died. I checked the oil and it was milky so I had someone tow me back to the truck.

I drained the oil about 30min later and replaced it with cheap oil then ran it for about 5min. I then drained the oil and put some more cheap oil in and ran it for a minute or two. It started sputtering so I dropped the bowl and sure enough there was water in the carb. I sprayed the carb out with cleaner and put it back on. The bike fired right up and ran fine without sputtering.

I then drained the cheap oil, filled with diesel, and shook the bike vigourosly for a while. I drained the diesel and put good oil in.

Now, My question: Is it ruined?

The reason I ask is I talked with two atv Mechanics and they both had different answers. One asked me if it was a sandy area and I told him no, it was a grassy area that had flood water over it. He said to change the oil a few times and it would be fine.

Then, I talked to another mech and he said it was probably toast, he said it will probably be toast in about a month. I told him it ran fine and didn't smoke at all but, he said it would probably start smoking within the next few times I ride it and then it will get much worse. He also told me it would do no good to put a top end in it unless the entire motor was broken down and thoroughly cleaned.

What do you guys think?


Thanks,

Reloader

 

My buddy bought a Wolverine off a kid who sunk it bad... Two mechanics told the kid it was toast so he sold it for cheap. Lots of oil changes and some diesel cleaned it right out. The thing is still running 3 years later. The biggest problem is when water is left in it and ran for too long or when the bore is left wet and gets rust spots. The other big problem is if the water got sucked into the motor before it stoped running. If it runs now with no bad clicking/noises, I bet it will be fine. That whole motor is ball bearing, no plain bearings, so they put up with a lot more abuse like that.... Now, i'm not saying they like to be run with water for oil.... but many people sink them and clean them out the same way you did.

 

rruser,

Thanks for the reply. I truely hope my machine isn't ruined. These things aren't cheap now days. I'm glad this one is a 2000 and paid for long ago but, I still hate to have to rebuild the engine. I think I may put a snorkle on it just for reassurance in case this type of thing happens again. Every now and then I have to cross creeks and flood water when deer hunting here.

I talked to a guy that is big into extreme mud riding and building monster atvs, He said I probably had about a 50/50 shot at coming out w/o any problems. He builds some monster machines and when asked what bikes he liked, he said the 400 IRS big bears running 29.5" outlaws, gorilla axles all around, about 6" of lift, and snorkel kits. He said they had plenty of power and were light when compared to the larger 600-800cc bikes everyone's running now. I have no desire for a monster like that but, found it interesting that they are used by alot of the serious mud riding crowd.

Reloader

 

We sink em all the time here in Fla. just dump it out then wring it out and go again it'll be fine.