[beaver]

Hello, Ive got an issue with a foreman 400 that I cant seem to track down. Somehow water is entering the engine from somewhere. Its definitely water and not condensation. The water and slush this quad runs through is only a couple inches or so deep.
Ive checked the breather tube for damage and routing and Ive replaced the seal on the motor behind the recoil.
There is a speedometer on this machine that looks like it was a optional accessory because its mounted on the rack. The speedo cable plugs into the rear of the engine just in front of the rear left tire. Im suspecting this is where the water is entering.
Ive already disconnected the cable and housing and re-installed using rtv gasket maker but water is still seeping in from somewhere. Im still thinking thats the entry point and have no problem with disconnecting it altogether and covering up the hole with the original cover.
If anyone has had the same issue please respond, Im open to suggestions. Thanks

 

[submarine 300]

Welcome to the forums you will get an answer real soon

 

[shadetree]

dumb question here for you..because i don't know much about the newer models..but..by any chance is this atv water cooled ?..if it is..you may have a internal leak from the cooling system ?

 

[submarine 300]

^^^^^^^agreed and have you checked the air box to see if it is wet or damp?

 

[shadetree]

^^^^^^^agreed and have you checked the air box to see if it is wet or damp?

even if it is wet..or damp..that wouldn't explain the water in the engine just from ridding through a couple inches of water..lol..then again..2 inches of water to one person....might be 4 feet to another !..lol

 

[submarine 300]

Oh also it takes about 4 oil changes to get the water out. one change will not do it trust me I know. also if it is really bad you might have to tear the engine down to get it all out

 

[submarine 300]

^^^^^^^agreed and have you checked the air box to see if it is wet or damp?

even if it is wet..or damp..that wouldn't explain the water in the engine just from ridding through a couple inches of water..lol..then again..2 inches of water to one person....might be 4 feet to another !..lol

This is true. Just thinking the worst I guess.

 

[beaver]

^^^^^^^agreed and have you checked the air box to see if it is wet or damp?

Thanks for the quick responses. The motor is air cooled and I have checked the air box. I will check air box again though, I believe there is a breather tube connected somewhere.
Im not the owner of this machine, Im just doing the work on it. Last fall I had two problems to fix at the same time. One was the water in the oil and the other was the shift drum coming apart. Ive had the motor out and on my bench and replaced both left and right hand cover gaskets aswell as that seal on the shaft connecting the recoil.
When the owner drops it off this week, I think Im going to stand it up on end and look it over from the bottom. Im still open to suggestions

 

[submarine 300]

crankcase vent is on and not split or have holes in it?

 

[beaver]

Oh also it takes about 4 oil changes to get the water out. one change will not do it trust me I know. also if it is really bad you might have to tear the engine down to get it all out

Yep, This will be my seventh oil change since the last three visits so Im really hoping to get this figured out.

 

[beaver]

crankcase vent is on and not split or have holes in it?

Ive checked to make sure breather is clear, properly routed and damage free. it T's off and runs in two different directions if I remember correctly. Im checking it again when machine shows up. Sometimes I dont see everything the first time

 

[shadetree]

other than the crank case breather tube.there isn't much more ways water can get into a engine..not from a couple inches anyway...check the crank case breather tube for any cracks..holes..splits..and make sure there is one on it period !..lol...soo..unless you..or the owner has sunk this bike lately..and like is was stated about still having water in the engine..i don't see any way for water to get into the motor..my guess is..it still had water in it from before..and it never got drained out all the way..or..someone just sunk it again lately..lol...a couple inches of water won't get inside the engine..at least i've never seen it done.

 

[submarine 300]

If the owner has got it in some water over 2ft. it could get in around the snorkel at the air box if not sealed well.

 

[shadetree]

If the owner has got it in some water over 2ft. it could get in around the snorkel at the air box if not sealed well.

ummm..yeah..that will do it !..lol..but..he stated it only ran through a couple inches..sooo..your guess is as good as mine..lol.

 

[Foreman52]

I also have a 95 foreman I just bought with out a head light or speedometer on the handlebars. I found a headlight and speedometer assembly at a salvage yard near my house and bought it. I can not find any where on the motor for a part the place on it to make the speedometer function. Can you send me a picture of where the wires are going the sensor? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[shadetree]

^^^^^^^agreed and have you checked the air box to see if it is wet or damp?

Thanks for the quick responses. The motor is air cooled and I have checked the air box. I will check air box again though, I believe there is a breather tube connected somewhere.
Im not the owner of this machine, Im just doing the work on it. Last fall I had two problems to fix at the same time. One was the water in the oil and the other was the shift drum coming apart. Ive had the motor out and on my bench and replaced both left and right hand cover gaskets aswell as that seal on the shaft connecting the recoil.
When the owner drops it off this week, I think Im going to stand it up on end and look it over from the bottom. Im still open to suggestions

i can tell you this..if the breather tube isn't on the lower part of the engine..water can get in it this way..butttttttt..in order for it to do this...the motor would have to go pretty deep ( more than a couple inches )..sooo..unless the owner sank this engine..and got water still traped inside the lower end..and it hasnt been drained out...there is no other way for water to get into the engine..unless there is a bad gasket on either side of the engine ?..or the rear drive shaft seal is leaking ?..or the shifting shaft seal is bad ?..other than these places..i see no other place for water to enter the motor.

 

[Helmut]

I also have a 95 foreman I just bought with out a head light or speedometer on the handlebars. I found a headlight and speedometer assembly at a salvage yard near my house and bought it. I can not find any where on the motor for a part the place on it to make the speedometer function. Can you send me a picture of where the wires are going the sensor? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

I circled the speed sensor in the picture below. It's right above the oil dipstick.