Hey all, yesterday a couple buddies and I went riding and we found some mud/water to go through. I went through, got stuck right on the end of the mud, my 22" Swamplites on the back were almost completely under water, and the exhaust was about 1" above the water, the front was ok, because only my back tires dug, so we pull it out no problems. Friend goes in there gets stuck, pull him out no problems. He goes through it again and gets stuck. So I try to see if I can pull him out with my Warrior. Well I hook up to the back (grab bar to be specific) and start pulling, all I was doing was wheelies. So I put it in reverse to loosen the chain so I can hook up to my front bumper, but once I put it out of reverse to go into first, nothing happens. It goes into first fine, but I give it gas and it barely moves, maybe an inch. So I figured I just over heated. We pull my friend out with another four-wheeler, waited about 30 minutes, still does the same thing. There was some white smoke coming off from the motor, which I figured it was just steam where the water was. We push it back up to my house and wash it off and everything externally looks fine. Goes through all the gears, but when I let off the clutch and give it gas, it doesn't move at all. When I put it in reverse it will move, but not nearly as fast as it used to, and when I try to make a sharp turn in reverse it can barely do it like it has no power. When I put it in first gear and push it while the quad is turned off it rolls as if it's in neutral. I didn't hear anything snap or pop while I changed gears. Anyone have any ideas as to what might be wrong so I know what to look for when I'm tearing it apart? It seems to have no power. The quad starts as good as it did before, just it doesn't move. The chain is still on and everything, I believe it has something to do with the transmission.

 

No one else has ever encountered a problem remotely similar to this even on another quad?

 

I don't know what to suggest. I'd say something internal is broken. Possibly fried the clutch when pulling people out!!!

 

any water inthe oil ?

 

I thought about the clutch, but it pulls a little in reverse, and if I turn it on and put it in first and I push it, it pushes as if its in neutral. So I don't think it's the clutch anymore. I cannot drain the oil yet, the plug is a little stripped. I'm taking out the engine tonight and going to empty the oil. I am thinking that one of the shift froks or shift fork shafts are broken. I'll let you know if I find anything.

 

sure you are all the way out of reverse?

 

my shop in countered a similar problem on a blaster the mechanic was riding it when he was pulling up the hill to get in the shop a grinding noise happened and it rolled down the hill even in first and full throttle the a loud cracking noise the engine stoped the clutch case split. the pressure plate and clutch basket broke in 3 places. when you were in the mud it could of put alot of stress on the clutch and worn out you friction plates. i would checkout that before ripping it out the motor.

 

Yeah, it's most likely the clutch, as both I and exrider91 have suggested. That's the easiest place to start anyway. Can't remember now if the side cover can be removed while the engine is in the frame or not? I believe so.

 

straightupdahill, you're a genius, haha...good advice, if you're even a little in reverse, it Might act like that

 

not really.. it would just grind.