Drowned bike - oil

[Jay B]

My wife drowned her bike - CRF150 last week when we were crossing a stream on the 42 Traverse. The motor was totally hydrauliced - back wheel wouldn't turn; we had to pull spark plug out, air filter, turn bike over and turn back wheel to get it free of water - alot of water came out
Started first time though - can't kill some bikes

I have changed the oil a couple of times now but it is still murky grey with oil/water mix. The first time there was double the normal amount.........a lot of water.

Is there something I can put through the oil sump to clean it out - I had thought of using a bit of diesel but not sure if this is a good idea.

Cheers

[dogsnbikes]

When I drowned dirt bikes 2strokes, l found kerosene was great at flushing the motors out as it beads the water and removes it with ease .

[FJRider]

My wife drowned her bike - CRF150 last week when we were crossing the 42 Traverse. The motor was totally hydrauliced and we had to pull spark plug out, air filter, turn bike over and turn back wheel to get it free of water. Started first time though - can't kill some bikes

I have changed the oil a couple of times now but it is still murky grey with oil/water mix.

Is there something I can put through the oil sump to clean it out - I had thought of using a bit of diesel but not sure if this is a good idea.

Cheers

Just fresh oil ... cheap stuff. Run for a short time then dump. Take out the filter first ... and leave the new filter out until you put the good oil in.

I did the same to an old grey tank XL250 once. I did the same as you. Rode home.

[BM-GS]

Once you have the worst of it out and flushed the oil a time or two (like it sounds you have done) you should be good to go on a long run. If you can do laps not too far from base (home or trailer) the oil will get hot enough to evaporate the water and the water-vapour will escape out of the breather.

Running road-bikes with an oil-cooler for short trips in cold weather will show the same symptoms - the oil never gets hot enough to boil off the water that forms from condensation and you need to faff with cardboard over the oil-cooler and such. Or go for a looong ride in the snow.

AFAIK the big problems happen if the water's left inside for a few weeks. Best check the airbox & drains & breather system for more water, blockages, etc.

[unstuck]

Your lucky it wasnt sea water. I just pulled a mates sons bike motor apart today after he flooded it in a creek at the beach, all the sand that got in to the motor has scored the shit out of the piston and bore. As FJ said, heaps of oil through it until your happy it is clean.

[glukasil]

i ve drowned my kdx200 in a lagoon..........was 4m under water for 24 hours..........had to bring diving gear to recover..........fully submerged engine in petrol for a day............was working fine until stolen

[george formby]

i ve drowned my kdx200 in a lagoon..........was 4m under water for 24 hours..........had to bring diving gear to recover..........fully submerged engine in petrol for a day............was working fine until stolen

Fook me. I impressed myself just getting the handlebars under water. That was really, erm, badly thought out.

[Jay B]

5 litres of oil and still a bit dirty

[glukasil]

to george formby

tried to aquaskip with special sand paddle tires but kdx200 had no power.........started slowing down and oooops.
crossed over 200 meters , had less than 50 left....worth thing was to swim with full gear and heavy backpack in middle of winter...got picked up by friends so traveled home on back of quad wearing windbreaker only

[glukasil]

to Jay B

if you are ok to remove engine out of the bike , submerge it in old petrol with oil for a day.....petrol will absorb water and you are good to go. dont forget to remove all covers on the engine and sparkplug...

[BoristheBiter]

When the missus did that to her XR200 i just emptied a can of CRC into the piston and waited awhile, than changed the oil a few times.

The CRC pushes the water out like the petrol trick but keeps everything lubricated.

[george formby]

to george formby

tried to aquaskip with special sand paddle tires but kdx200 had no power.........started slowing down and oooops.
crossed over 200 meters , had less than 50 left....worth thing was to swim with full gear and heavy backpack in middle of winter...got picked up by friends so traveled home on back of quad wearing windbreaker only

Ah, of course. As you do.

[Flip]

Just do a few oil changes until the water is flushed out.

[FJRider]

The CRC pushes the water out like the petrol trick but keeps everything lubricated.

CRC displaces/repels water. It does not absorb ... or remove it.

And as it evaporates quickly with even small amounts of heat ... very limited lubrication qualities are gained.

If there is not enough water in the cylinder to hydraulic the engine ... (if the engine runs) ... run the engine for a little longer and dump while it is warm.

So it's a hassle to keep changing the oil. But it COULD have been much worse. Especially if she could RIDE it home.

[barty5]

flushing it with meths would be better than petrol as it will get rid of the water although not that good for lubrication would just go with a few more oil changes while hot and if possible remove top engine cover and clean as the moisture will head in that direction steam rises even removed valve adjustment caps given it an old xr once hot till its cooled to allow moisture some where to go.