'99 CR 250 Swamped!

[freightrain]

I went for a ride yesterday and I came across a mudhole that was way deeper than I expected. The water came up to the seat and the bike died. :yikes: I dragged it out and walked it back to the truck. I emptied out the pipe, pulled the plug and flipped the bike to pump the water out of the cylinder. I also pulled the air filter and let that dry out. I tried to flush the engine out with fuel before kicking it over. I replaced the plug and started kicking. After about 10 minutes of kicking, it fired up. It sputtered a little at first and then ran perfect. I checked the gear oil to make sure it didn't get contaminated, but it was fine. I replaced the air filter afterwiping out the airbox. After I got it all back together, I took a couple of laps and brought her home. The bike ran perfect when I shut it down. Is there anything I need to do before riding again? I assume any grit or dirt would have blown out the exhaust once it fired up. I was thinking about pouring some oil down the spark plug hole or hitting it with some fogging oil for good measure. What else can I do to make sure my crank bearings don't get ruined? Thanks

 

[ellandoh]

this is an article i found and keep on the pc for an emergency copy right unknown


Troubleshooting

If you get water in your engine it can do some damage. If your bike starts to sputter or if it dies from water in the engine I recommend getting the water out of your bikes system before starting the bike again. Water will be in your cylinder, carburetor, intake boot, air filter, air box and if you sink it water will be in your gas tank and transmission.

The Gas Tank- Pull the gas line off of the bottom of your gas switch and drain the tank dry. Turn off your gas switch. Fill your gas tank about half full of fuel (always use mixed gas) and swish it around by rocking the bike from side to side. Drain this out and your tank should be clear of water. Reconnect your gas line and refill the tank with mixed gas.

The Carburetor-Remove the bolt on the bottom of the carburetor bowl. This will release all of the gas in your carburetor. Let a little extra fuel flow through from your gas tank for about 10 seconds and then turn off your gas. Replace the bolt and your carb should be clear of water.

The Filter- Clean the filter and dry out the intake boot.

The Cylinder- Remove your spark plug and kick the bike over about 10 times without giving it any throttle. This should clear out most of the water. Also check the plug to see if it is wet. Hit the electrode end of the plug on your palm to get out the water. Put the plug back in. After you have done the rest of the system (carb, tank, air filter, intake boot and gas tank if needed) kick the engine over about five times without giving it any throttle(the key here is to dry out the water without flooding the engine with fuel). On the next couple of kicks give very gradually more throttle. If it does not start try holding the throttle wide open and kicking it over. If your bike still won't start, take the plug back off and check for water on your plug again. If there is water or not, still kick the bike over about ten times with the plug out just to be safe. When you put the plug back in and try to restart it for the first four or five kicks don't give it any throttle. Then gradually give it a little throttle on the next couple of kicks. If it still won't start then remove the plug and repeat the procedure and eventually it will.

If your bike gets completely submerged in water, do all of these steps and change your gear oil. After you get it running again, wait about five minutes and change your oil again. Remove your pipe and silencer and dump out any water. Also it might be a good idea if you remove your cylinder and blow dry the bottom end of your bike with a blow drier.

 

[skipn8r]

I'd clean/grease all the major bearings. Wheels, linkage, swingarm, steering, etc. I'd also check/clean all electrical connections.

 

[NO HAND]

I would also change the transmission oil. Often the vent tube on the crankcase pulls water in the transmission due to the rapid change in temperature.

 

[cnielse5]

Just ride the piss out of it now. it is all good now. I have COMPLETELY submerged my 97 cr 250 in a a puddle and just dryed her out then rode the piss out of it for 2 seasons. It still has the same top end. heck I didn't even get all the watter out of the air boot.