Submarined my KTM250 - help!

[chadrick]

I just got home from sinking my KTM for the first time. After 15 years of riding, I have never gotten one this wet. My dealer/riding buddy is out of town, any suggestions on what's the best thing to do? I haven't started it since the scuba incident. Any info would be helpful.

 

[RMXBOY]

you got it home. thats the hard part. Drain everything, Gas , gearbox, and carb. turn the bike up side down, hook about third gear and with the sparkplug out, spin the back wheel 'till the water stops spitting out. replace the fluids and run it for a while. Check the sparkplug hasn't got water on it
then take it for a ride to heat up the engine. You need to get the engine hot so the main bearings can dry out. hope thi sis of some use.

 

[chadrick]

I have done the obvious stuff and was wondering about the carb.thanx for input. any tips from other scuba dudes would help. I am not woried about geting it running,I just want to whats best for my my bestfriend,my comrade, my 01 exc 250.

 

[Fred T]

Repack bearings too.

Don't forget the bearings. Also I've been told to flush some kerosine through the tranny and drain it out real good then add oil run it until it's warm and drain it again. Gets the sand out.

 

[WoodsRider]

Pull off the top-end and wash out the crankcase with kerosene immediately. Moisture will attack the bearing surfaces and can ultimately cause a lower end failure/seizure. Same goes for the transmission.

 

[Smitty]

<------------------Check my avatar. Submarined my KX250, completely gone, nothing to see except bubbles and oily water in a retention pond. I flipped it over drained everything, changed the oil, regreased everything, straightened the subframe (oops!), install new bars, and then rode it for a year and a half with no problems whatsoever.

Man that was a spectacular crash. The Oklahoma Pond Flip.

 

[Thump]

Originally posted by Smitty
Man that was a spectacular crash. The Oklahoma Pond Flip.

You were in Texas!

My favorite was you standing there in your undies walking into the pond and looking back "Has anyone seen a brand new KX250?" LMFAO you definately handled te situation better than I would have.

 

[Smitty]

It's either laugh or cry. One has less snot bubbles and will not cost you your dignity.

BTW, thank god for Lens caps or I'd be immortalized in DRN Video Archives!

 

[OLD-N-SLOW]

My son has done it twice so i know the drill. Gas tank and petcock,carb-(dissasemble it completely), air filter, tramsmission(change oil twice. once riteaway and again after good warmup) , air intake track and reed cage.
The steering stem and linkage bearings should be ok, as the water was under
no pressure and the grease will repell it. Dont forget the control cables!
Sure is a bummer to look over to where he was just riding and see him swimming with helmet and goggles on! Then to realize I'm the one who has to go get it. :mad:
Steve

 

[TexKDX]

I'm with Woodsrider on the flushing. Who knows what muck may have entered thru the exhaust or carb.

Unless of course you dumped it in someone's swimming pool ;)

 

[chadrick]

Thanx for all the pointers.I just wish you all would have deen there to see me hit the five foot creek at the bottom of the 50 ft.drop.If it wasn't for the four wheeler (I'm so cool whie I sit here and spin holes) and a little bit of ice I would have been fine. I think? Anyway, the bottom line is that I just gone done pulling the motor and I'm gonna owe my favorite,most awsome,best guy ,KTM dealer (letko of kansas city) a lot money. You think those kind words will help on the bill?I dout it too. By the way, if you guy's would have been there you coulda helped push it back to the trailer,I sure wasn't gonna ask a 4wheeler for a tow! (and none offered) Thanks again.My 01 250 will now be a kinda 02.

 

[motometal]

if the water was sandy or muddy at all, remove the cylinder like stated previously...you may be surprised at what is in there. If you run or spin the engine with grit in it, you will pay later in dollars and or performance.