Swamped pioneer will not start

[Staffordc92]

Hello,

So, I am over 50 and decided to revert back to my teenage years. I took the pioneer out for the first ride of the season. I live in the UP of Michigan along Lake Superior so the snow finally melted. I decided to cross a river that empties into the lake. The water depth was only a couple feet deep but if anyone know the beeches on Lake Superior they have seen how rocky it can be. This beech has an unknown depth of 1-2 in diameter rocks. Well I sank in the rocks and drowned the pioneer. Actually the rocks jammed between the wheels and the brake rotors. One rock actually split one of the calipers in half. So basically had no wheels turning. I had to leave the vehicle in the water overnight. The next day I had some friends help me get it out. Nothing like jacking up a vehicle in freezing water to take the tires off to get the rocks out. So we got the wheels moving and was able to winch it out with another side by side. No trees on the beech to winch to. Oh did I mention the vehicle stalled while in the water? It would turn over but would not start. Anyway got it home. Sub trans was full over water. Drained and replaced. Engine oil was clean. Gas tank was full. Drained and replaced. Spark plugs taken out and cylinders cleared. Still has spark. Air filter was clean and dry. Not sure if it is getting gas but it will not start still. Turns over put not starting. During this process I found some vent lines. I’ll attach pics. Does anyone know what vent that is and should it have a hose? The second pic is the gas tank vent. Shouldn’t that be up higher? Any suggestions for starting? I know I need to figure out the fuel thing first. I assume I can just pull the line at the tank and crank the engine to see if the pump works? Anything else I should check? Fuses are good also. Thanks for the help

 

[Admin]

 

[Hondasxs]

I'd take a punch and knock that fuel pump ring around so you can get it off and fully clean the tank.
Usually, it's just water in the fuel for similar situations. Was common on early 16/17 year models and bad with the first years of the 700. Seat deep and the fuel tank starts suckin water in.
It appears you were in clean water, so that a whole lot better than dealing with mud in the tank.
That fuel and sub vent... I would run them higher for sure.

Other than that, Get some starting fluid, pull the air filter and see if she will run off that for a few.
If so, we know its a fuel delivery issue you need to be looking into.
Assuming.

 

[DRZRon1]

Hello,

So, I am over 50 and decided to revert back to my teenage years. I took the pioneer out for the first ride of the season. I live in the UP of Michigan along Lake Superior so the snow finally melted. I decided to cross a river that empties into the lake. The water depth was only a couple feet deep but if anyone know the beeches on Lake Superior they have seen how rocky it can be. This beech has an unknown depth of 1-2 in diameter rocks. Well I sank in the rocks and drowned the pioneer. Actually the rocks jammed between the wheels and the brake rotors. One rock actually split one of the calipers in half. So basically had no wheels turning. I had to leave the vehicle in the water overnight. The next day I had some friends help me get it out. Nothing like jacking up a vehicle in freezing water to take the tires off to get the rocks out. So we got the wheels moving and was able to winch it out with another side by side. No trees on the beech to winch to. Oh did I mention the vehicle stalled while in the water? It would turn over but would not start. Anyway got it home. Sub trans was full over water. Drained and replaced. Engine oil was clean. Gas tank was full. Drained and replaced. Spark plugs taken out and cylinders cleared. Still has spark. Air filter was clean and dry. Not sure if it is getting gas but it will not start still. Turns over put not starting. During this process I found some vent lines. I’ll attach pics. Does anyone know what vent that is and should it have a hose? The second pic is the gas tank vent. Shouldn’t that be up higher? Any suggestions for starting? I know I need to figure out the fuel thing first. I assume I can just pull the line at the tank and crank the engine to see if the pump works? Anything else I should check? Fuses are good also. Thanks for the help

View attachment 468565View attachment 468566

Bummer


Did you crank before pulling plugs or after ?


Did water get into engine at all ?

 

[CID]

Hello,

So, I am over 50 and decided to revert back to my teenage years. ... Thanks for the help

It's a guy thing -

Clean oil and a dry air filter is a good sign.

Like Hondasxs said, it's probably just a small amount of water still in the tank, since it sinks to the bottom. Ether will confirm that, it'll probably fire momentarily.

@Bayouownbeer has a vent kit for the Pioneer (and Talon) to raise all the vents.

 

[Staffordc92]

Bummer


Did you crank before pulling plugs or after ?


Did water get into engine at all ?

I did try and start it when it was in the water. I checked the oil and it was fine. The exhaust was under water.

It's a guy thing -

Clean oil and a dry air filter is a good sign.

Like Hondasxs said, it's probably just a small amount of water still in the tank, since it sinks to the bottom. Ether will confirm that, it'll probably fire momentarily.

@Bayouownbeer has a vent kit for the Pioneer (and Talon) to raise all the vents.

does that kit have a vent for the differential?

 

[CID]

I did try and start it when it was in the water. I checked the oil and it was fine. The exhaust was under water.

does that kit have a vent for the differential?

Sure does.

Obtw: the exhaust might be full of water. If you have a way to do it, winch it way up to help it drain.

 

[Staffordc92]

Just an update. Sprayed starter fluid in air intake and it started. Idled rough then died. So I assume it is a fuel issue?

 

[CID]

Just an update. Sprayed starter fluid in air intake and it started. Idled rough then died. So I assume it is a fuel issue?

Yep, still 'some' water in the fuel tank or fuel line. The Talon has a small recess in the bottom of the tank for the pump pick up, so even if there's only a cup of water in the tank, that's all the fuel pump will pick up.

 

[Staffordc92]

Yep, still 'some' water in the fuel tank or fuel line. The Talon has a small recess in the bottom of the tank for the pump pick up, so even if there's only a cup of water in the tank, that's all the fuel pump will pick up.

I took the tank out and dumped all the fuel out. Maybe some water in the filter or lines?

 

[CID]

I took the tank out and dumped all the fuel out. Maybe some water in the filter or lines?

Dang, you jumped right in -

I thought the filter was in the tank with the pump but not sure on that.

I'd keep teasing it with the ether to help purge the water out. If you don't have the new generation ether with lubricant, I'd get some so you don't score your cylinder walls.

 

[Scoop]

Just an update. Sprayed starter fluid in air intake and it started. Idled rough then died. So I assume it is a fuel issue?

We call that GOOD progress!

 

[Staffordc92]

Also any recommendations for where to disconnect the fuel line to purge any water left in it? I assume where it ends at the engine but that is kind of tough to get to

 

[Staffordc92]

Here are some action shots from day ear 1. Notice front and rear tires not moving