Brand new sled went under water - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Meeco180 · 01-15-2008, 04:08 PM

What did I damage? What should I do?

I was riding and underestimated the depth of the water. After getting half way, it started to sink. Full throttle was not enough at that point. The engine hydrolocked and sat in the water for about 3 hours before I could get it out. Got the water out of the cylinders and it started after about 20 minutes of cranking. Does water get into the crankcase. If so, how do you get it out? Please give suggestions. I don't want to ruin my sled. Thanks!

TheBackRoads · 01-15-2008, 04:26 PM

what kind of sled? when did it happen? and tell us the story!

maiden9494 · 01-15-2008, 05:37 PM

my buddy was skimming water once and he lost his in the water for quite a while . i think he took apart some stuff and let it dry out for a bit . i cant remember correctly what it was he took apart . ill check for you if i see him around again .

MLSS · 01-15-2008, 05:43 PM

well it depends on wat kind of sled. if its a fan then u should probly check all the bearings. my advice is to bring it in to a repair shop. they will know wat to check.

speakout · 01-15-2008, 05:58 PM

If its liquid cooled:
Dry up parts are mostly: Air filter, chaincase, exhaust system and carburators.. Also open the cylinderheads and pull it empty, or just unscrew the plugs if you want it done fast.. add some oil into the cylinders while doing this, you can mix it with some gas for a leaner mixture..

Take away your seat now, and put it somewhere hot -leave it there for a few days..

If it's a fan.. get it to a repairshop , a lot of bearings and gaskets that might need some service

Meeco180 · 01-15-2008, 07:08 PM

Sorry I didn't provide much details. The sled is a new Skidoo XP 800 Renegade X. After it started, I rode it about 1.5 hours back to the hotel. At first, it didn't want to move. The clutches were frozen. My friend pulled it about 60 feet before it broke free. It seemed to run fine. It wasn't totally under the water but about 3 feet deep, just below the air intake. I assumed that water got sucked in from the wave I was creating. AFter I got home, I checked the chaincase by unscrewing the level screw and nothing poured out. No water seemed to be in the 2-stroke oil or fuel tank. I plan on getting it serviced before my next ride but really want to avoid telling the dealer for fear that something is noted and void my engine warranty (2 year). Thanks for your suggestions. You can imagine, this was quite upsetting. Only 150 miles on the sled now.

speakout · 01-15-2008, 07:35 PM

If you dont want the dealer to know.. Dry up the seat, empty water from airbox and carbs.. dont think he'll notice.. have it indoors for a few days tho

chase893 · 01-15-2008, 07:54 PM

Ahh, gotta love a warranty ehh? Haha!

**smallengineguy** · 01-15-2008, 08:04 PM

Ouch....Remember, water will sink to the bottom of the chaincase.

Meeco180 · 01-15-2008, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smallengineguy

Ouch....Remember, water will sink to the bottom of the chaincase.

Well, my theory...(and I might be all wet)... The plug that I removed should have been filled to the bottom of the hole with oil. Since I removed it and nothing came out, I can only assume that nothing was added (water). I plan to have the chaincase oil replaced before my next ride anyway as part of the 10 hour service. These chaincases do not have a drain plug and the entire cover has to be removed. I don't want to get that much into it.

I'm still puzzled how water gets out of the crankcase if any got in. Would it be blown out as well after running? Thanks!

speakout · 01-15-2008, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meeco180

I'm still puzzled how water gets out of the crankcase if any got in. Would it be blown out as well after running? Thanks!

We usually "pull" the engine dry with no plugs screwed in.. also helps to remove your carbs and exhaust while doing this..

When you got the worst sorted - it's just to add a bit more oil , and run it completely dry.. remember, it's getting quite hot in there , and water vapourizes really fast

But too much water , and leave it for too long ..you might get in real trouble with rust, and/or bad condition crankshaft bearings

Meeco180 · 01-15-2008, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speakout

We usually "pull" the engine dry with no plugs screwed in.. also helps to remove your carbs and exhaust while doing this..

When you got the worst sorted - it's just to add a bit more oil , and run it completely dry.. remember, it's getting quite hot in there , and water vapourizes really fast

But too much water , and leave it for too long ..you might get in real trouble with rust, and/or bad condition crankshaft bearings

Do you think I'm okay since I rode it 1.5 hours afterward and then started it and left it heat up several days afterward?

tamacat · 01-15-2008, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meeco180

These chaincases do not have a drain plug and the entire cover has to be removed. I don't want to get that much into it.

Are you sure there is no drain plug in the tunnel, behind the chaincase?

If not.... removing the cover, draining the oil, cleaning it out, and refilling is not that bad of a job.Maybe a half hour or so you would be done.

JheLrey · 01-16-2008, 12:24 AM

If you rode it for an hour and a half, I'd have to say you should be okay... I would run it daily though and put it in a heated garage. I'd say if you go two weeks of running it like that and putting miles on it, you should be okay.

Bulldog · 01-16-2008, 12:30 AM

Don't forget to make sure no water got into any of your throttle or exhaust valve cables. Squirt some penetrating oil into these lines to keep them from freexing.

Meeco180 · 01-16-2008, 12:54 PM

Thanks everyone for all the help you've suggested. It is much appreciated. I just want to rectify things so that I can forget this ever happened.

NLBurden · 01-16-2008, 02:02 PM

my friend sunk his sled, the water was about 10 feet deep where he sunk it too. What he did was place the sled in my garage and i kept the heat up, we let it sit there for a week to dry out, after that it was best kind.

chrisfarley · 01-16-2008, 02:13 PM

where on the planet did this happen? what lake?

chadlyt · 01-16-2008, 03:22 PM

you post a pic and hope to forget it ever happend? thats a toughy, but I bet WE'LL all remember it

RoadkillSTX · 01-16-2008, 04:12 PM

You say the engine hydrolocked???
I would definitely check the compression before you take it back out...