Drown my new TR

Nearly killed my brand new TR yesterday. Finally got the bike out of the city and into the country for a nice long ride down south around Sherando Lake, VA. Meet up with my brother-in-law, Steve on his DL-650 out on RT. 250 at the end of the Skyline drive exit and we took one of favorite little down hill roads that turns into gravel for about mile or so. At the end when it turns back to paved slab Steve sees a small stream and decided it deserved a crossing for fun. I don't know if was the new Alpinestars Scout boots I just sold him or what, but blasted down the small hill and right through the water. I was at the top looking over the tall grass and watched as he crossed over and he had a small drop about 4/5 way across but made it through fairly easy.

What I didn't see from my spot was there was a flat almost pavement like like flat area through the water just below the surface that he rode on until it ended when he got near the other side; explain the drop I witness. Well being the "I can do anything he can" rider I charged down the hill and rode right into the stream and didn't see the flat spot he rode until I was already into the water. Figured it would be just like riding my TE 450 I could just gas it when started to get deep and then it happen, OH ! I rode right into the deepest part of the stream and TR did it best imitation of a submarine and went under the water to the bottom of the seat. Die right smack in the middle and I had to jump off the pegs to keep if from falling completely over. Manage to keep the bike upright and cold water filled my boots and up to the top of my thighs. Little a little girl I yelled "HELP! HELP!" . By then Steve had ridden back around to the top of the hill and came to my rescue and jumped into the water as I had dismount the bike and was trying to push it out. Together we pushed it out of the water and up the hill back to the pavement.

Remembering the water drain plug on the airbox I pulled out the little black tab and watched as the water came running out for about 20-30 seconds. Not a good sign. The air intake must have completely filled with water. All the electronics were still working though, lights, turn signals, etc., but the starter would not turn at all. When depressed it just made a dreaded little thud and nothing more. That's it! I just drowned a new TR with 600 miles on the clock . Let it sit for a few minutes while we worked the bike left and right to get all the water to drain out from the frame and airbox. Water was coming out from everywhere!! Tried the starer again and nothing. Figure we could try and push start it and had a Good-ole boy stopped to gives us a hand. We tried pushing it for a 2nd, 3rd, and even 4th gear rolling start and rear would just lock up and skid to a stop. Fearing the worst, the motor dead, Steve decided he would ride back to his house (45 miles away) and get the trailer to get the remains back to his house. "Sigh".

As I waited on the side of the road with the bike on it's just installed 3 days ago centerstand I started looking more at the engine area and airbox. Check that all electronics were still working and even tried the starter again but still wouldn't turn. I thought to myself maybe water made it way into the engine through the airbox and I simply just need to get it "pumped" out. I put the bike into 5th gear and was able to rotate the rear wheel first counter clockwise for a half turn then clockwise and could hear the exhaust cycle has the piston turned up and down. Did the clockwise turn for two full revolutions and could see small puffs of air come out of the exhaust cans. Maybe the engine had hydro-lock from the water and hand cranking it freed it up?? I crossed my fingers and gave the starter button another try. The starter was turning! Very slowly at first then after 5-10 seconds it picked up speed and I could hear the engine trying to start. C'mon you bastard! Start damn you!

After cranking it for another 10 or so seconds she came back to life . I let idle for about 5 minutes to make sure it was going keep running and then blipped the throttle a couple times to see if any water was going come shooting out of the exhaust, but it was all clear. Having no cell service at my location and figuring Steve was driving like a bat out of hell back to his house I jumped onboard and made a beeline back to his house. Steve had stopped on his way to call the wife after he realized she had the tow vehicle (mini-van) with her and was 60 miles away visiting her son at college. He pulled off the interstate and called her as I must have raced by on my way back to his house. Was surprised that I arrived before he did given he had a 15 minute head start on me. He drove up and was very happy to see I was there and he quickly called his wife and let her know we both were okay.

So, you motor experts, opinions on what happen to my bike? I did change the oil when I came back home later in the day, and put gas treatment in the tank to dry any water that might have got into the tank. The tank was nearly full when the incident occurred and I'm thinking that might have helped in keeping water from getting in. Do I need to do anything more at this point?

Sounds to me that yes you did hydrolock it, all of the push starting wouldn't work because you were trying to compress water but when you rotated the wheel backwards you must have pushed enough water out of the intake that it could then trun over. Even though it is running now there is still a chance of damage to the motor, ie bent rod or valves, it wouldn't be a bad to have it torn apart and checked.

Very true, I'd pull spark plugs any time a vehicle is stalled while crossing water, before trying to start it. You'll be glad you did when water squirts 10' into the air.

Thanks for the words of wisdom. I didn't know pulling the plug was essential to getting all the water out. Everything seems to be running fine having ridden the bike 200 miles back home afterwards.

Change the oil...it will probably be milky looking. Run it for several days and then change it again...repeat until it comes out looking normal. Make sure the filter is ok.

Might want to check out this tread as well.

http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/water-in-swingarm.32401/

Thanks, I have read most of the threads and that one as well. I remember Eurosport mechanic telling me this was problem earlier in the year with the 2013 models but has been fixed now. Didn't get the details other than holes are now in place to drain the water before it reaches the end of the swingarm. I did notice water was streaming out of the rear of my swingarm when I first pushed it out of the water.

Checked the oil since the change 100 miles ago, no white showing anywhere in or around the dip stick, so I think I'm good.

I would take my pipe off too and let it drain.

Maybe pull the motor out and check inside too...