ATV Florida Forum

Yesterday, I sank the bike and it shut off. When I got the tail pipe out of the water  I didn't wait long to try and start it and then heard a klunk! Figured it was screwed and tried it a couple more times and each time it would make the same sound without even trying to turn over. Finally it turnded over a little before klunking! This went on for a while and I had to choke it all the way and easily give it gas. It would stall an I'd start over. 20 minutes later it was running balls to the walls like nothing ever happened. At first I thought I had gotten water ontop the head(figured it was toast) but it runs fine now, could this have been too much water in tail pipe and too much back pressure. Pretty positive everything is okay just can't figure out what was wrong in the first place.

Any idea?
Thanks

whut kinda quad do you have.

Next time you hear a klunck pull the plug an dblow out the water. You still may have had water in the head pipe and when the exhaust valve openned it can let water in the cylender, it only takes a split second.

I would drain the carb bowl, to make sure there is no more water or debris inside. Then check the oil and make sure its clean too.

It's a 2005 Honda Rancher AT

I know better than to do what I did. I was once a mechanic by trade (Army) but I just wasn't thinking. I checked the oil and it looks good (Still got the break-in oil in it, I'm bringing it to have it serviced this week) and it runs fine now so I know there is nothing wrong with anything. I  just don't understand how I got so lucky.
go Honda

exactley, soundslike you hydrolocked it.

same thing used to happen on my stepsons honda. wouldn't run after going through deep water unless it was on full choke and when you gave it gas it would shut off. drain the carb next time and see it that takes care of it.

jeff

thanks!!!

Im confused...when you say "sank", do you mean you went in past the intake and it sucked water in??

If so, you REALLY need to drain the oil and replace it because if you go in there wtih the oil in the pan and it comes out milky (like 99% of bikes out there that have sunk) they'll probably try and void out your warranty!

If you went past the intake, im really suprised (being a mechanic) you tried starting it over and over instead of towing it back and changing the oil, pulling hte plug, draining your airbox and exhaust and all that stuff!

Oh well, good luck!! :)

I didn't get it in the intake put I was sort of facing down hill a little when I got the tail pipe out of the water and like a dummy didn't drain it out. I don't know what I was thinking?? I just hit the button and it sort of "klunked"! Then being the irate butt-wipe I can be sometimes, I got mad at myself and did it a couple of more times, untiil it started to turn over. Yeah, I know, Pretty stupid. I just changed the oil and stuff the otherday(after the ride) and it was completely fine, so it seems I didn't hurt it. Not sure if it was really hydro-locked or maybe jsut couldn't force air out of the cylinder because the tail pipe was so fillled up. That's what I was wondering. Anyhow, everything is okay now. Thanks
Jeff

Intake is near the gas cap on the left side. Get any higher the the Gas Cap and your taking in water. Klunking is because of water. Pull the plug, crank a few times, drain the air box, dry the plug and reinsert it. Next blow thru the Gas Cap vent tube to make sure it is cleared. Then Prime the carb with the primer on the bottom left side and start it it. It's that simple. :D

Trust me on this one, you better change all the oil, QUICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!  If water got into the cylinder, then the spark plug was wet, thats why it wouldnt fire at first, then it dried out and fired.  Then when you tried starting it right away, you let all the water in the cylinder get into the bottom end.  If you dont change the oil in a hurry, the WHOLE bottom end is gonna start rusting out, then your gonna be spending A LOT of money to get that fixed.  Do it right away, hopefully its not too late.

the next time you sink your quad, first get it out of the water.  DO NOT even think about starting it.  Then, turn off the gas and stand the bike staight up on the grab bar, or in your case, the racks.  Let as much water get out of the exhaust as possible.  Then dry out the airbox.  The pull the spark plug and blow it out and dry the plug.  Then once you have gotten as much water out as possible, then try starting it.  But still, once you get home, you should still change the oil.

The first thing you do after it sinks it not try to start it because i think that sucks the water through the whole entire system/engine.  You have to tip it on its rear and let the water drain out first.   Theres my 2 cents. ;D