Normally, every bike or ATV comes with a spark plug wrench. Much easier if you pull the plug and less chance of damage... but in a pinch, this works too !
The first time it happened to me 5 years ago, I was stranded, walked all the way back to the truck to rescue myself. Hope this helps you sometime in the future :-)
This shouldn’t be a regular practice. Water inside the cylinder housing is bad because water speeds up the oxidation of metal. Which can lead to engine failure. If this happens, have the motor checked by a qualified tech who can disassemble, clean, oil, and rebuild it.
@@millroyboy07 There's no need for a disassemble rebuild. The combustion/exhaust will get rid of the chance of that on the ride back to the truck. Changing the oil will also rid the bike of any residual water. If you were to let the bike sit after swamping it, sure but who would do that?
Thanks for sharing this! Many many people are under the assumtiong that engines are "dead" once they get water in them. Being a single cylinder.. they are never dead.
Not very many people Hydro lock motors as often as a rental company that does a lot of overnight adventures through water crossings like we do. Figured I'd be a good source to show first hand experience 😂
Another tip is when you get back from your ride and you hydrolocked you motor a good idea to change the oil. Some water will have leaked into the crankcase, and water is not a good lubricant.
@@RTRrentals yeah I was referring to Spite who is running a youtube channel with bike content. Look him up you might see some resemblance... @spitescorner
We did this on my tenere 700. With 2 people. But you might be able to unlock the motor with just rolling the wheel backwards in six gear on adventure bike. That might be just enough to break the motor loose without a 12 o clock wheelie
Been there done that multiple times riding richloam in Florida. We always took the plug out and turned the. Back wheel. I would not press the start button with a motor hydro locked. Apparently his starter is not strong enough to bend the rod but I wouldn’t chance it. Also change the oil and run it for a few minutes repeatedly till it comes out not looking like a milk shake when you get home.
This is a great trick when you don't have tools. And no starter on a dirtbike is strong enough to bend a rod. That's only when you go in the water wide-open throttle and the engine instantly goes from 8000 RPMs to zero RPMs
all right as a motorcycle mechanic here... I can tell you right now this is NOT what you wanna do this is how you burn up the starter trying to click it over and over again for 1, and 2 rotating the engine backwards is NOT going to help get water out even if you try to rotate it backwards in gear it will fock up the 1 way starter gear, destroy the engine due to water in the crank case. Best thing to do is not do this stupid crap with your bikes to get them waterlogged and if you do end up in this situation don't even bother trying to crank it even if you do get the plug out and can pump the water out you're still going to destroy your piston, cylinder Cams do to the water in the oil. and if your crank case is full of water and oil it'll blow the oil out through your PCV breather and then now you will have absolutely no oil and just only water in your crank case because oil floats on water.
As a Dirtbike rental business that has un hydra locked literally dozens of motors, and has put hundreds of hours on the motors afterwards, I can tell you this 100% works every single time reliably and never hurts the motor. Ever.
Remove spark plug, flip bike onto handlebars and kick it over a couple times, flip back onto wheels, dry plug and reinstall, start it...worked for my Honda.
Wow! really impressed with that, knowledge is power. If you have a KTM 1190 I recommend having some tools at all times 🙂That may be just a little too heavy to stand up.
That's where rolling the back wheel backwards in six gear really helps. It still gets water out of the motor. If you're able to do the 12 o'clock wheelie though it speeds up the process
A much easier method is to lay the bike on it's side and lift both wheels up about a foot. This is much lighter and easier than standing the bike at 12 o'clock wheelie position.
That sounds harder to me. Especially if your solo I think it's easier to lift the bike up by yourself onto the back wheel and balance it. Plus the water needs somewhere to go. Water can't drain sideways out the side of the bike. But up at 12 o'clock gravity will pull it out of the Cylinder and the muffler at the same time
@@RTRrentals If you remove the spark plug, lay the bike on it's side, then lift the wheels up about 12", the spark plug hole will be the low point. I'll bet you a beer my way is easier. 😀
@herkimersnerd8740 I did not miss that. My motorcycles each came with a little tool kit that includes a spark plug socket just for these scenarios. That kit it under my seat and accompanies me wherever I go. I use the proper tools and do the job properly.
@@briangc1972 on the new generation Ktm it is a lot of work to remove a spark plug. You have to take off the radiator shrouds the tank unplugged the fuel line disconnect the fuel pump just to get access to the spark plug. In this video I did it in five minutes with teaching beginners. I can do all this by myself with no one around me less than two minutes and no tools. This is absolutely the quickest easiest way to do it. even if I have the tools, I don't want to use them if I don't need to
Great video, question: I got water in my 350 a while ago, (fine now) and it was not hydrolocked but the oil was milky through the oil glass on the side. The bike never fired on the trail after 12 o clocking her ext… after an oil change and a bump start it was fine back home. Were you worried about your oil in this situation? Or you knew it was bad and getting it running was worth it vs towing the bike out?
I'm not the video guy, but I'm willing to bet that even though they got the hydrolock free'd up, he would still recommend a full service on that bike after, ASAP, including fluids like oil that touched the water
Why wouldn’t you push it onto dry ground. Lucky it didn’t bend the crank. If I got water in the cylinder I wouldn’t try to start or push in gear until the water was out Easy enough to pull the plug and turn upside down.
You can't bend the crank with a Cincy little 12 V starter motor. I've done it dozens of times It's when you submerge the bike with heavy throttle is when you bend a crank
Way too much work to remove that spark plug on the modern day Austrian bikes. I can do all this in two minutes or less when I'm not teaching people on camera. And no tools are needed for this
A Cincy little 12 V starter motor will not bend a crank rod. but submarining a bike into the water with the throttle wide open at 8000 RPMs, is what bends the crank rod
Dude is worried about getting dirt on the rim of the air filter, but the dirty ass pond water in the engine is no problem 👌😂 This is how you trash an engine.
Great details. Many have seen lifting the bike up, but well done explaining what's going on in the engine, particularly about manually moving the drivetrain (on a 4 stroke) to get the exhaust and intake valves to move if they were closed, allowing water to drain
Btw check your oil after because most times a looot of water enter the oil and you will break the engine I have a lot of experience in hidrolocked engines 🙃
I have the tools, and still don't want to use them. Because this method can be done in two minutes or less if you arent teaching new people on a camera. And this is a good tutorial for those that don't have tools. Because It happens
Not gonna lie, I'd rather have tools on me to remove a plug, but hey, this obviously works, and like he's said in a comment, a 12v starter won't bend a rod. Great work and well explained, def something I'd like to remember. Thanks 👍
Yes exact same procedure. And the six gear roll backwards, is only when the 12 o'clock is not enough to drain the water out. On two strokes, 98% of the time a 12 o'clock is enough to get the water out. It's really only the four strokes where you need to more commonly do a six gear rollback
Depends on the water quality. Muddy water will leave grit in the cylinder. Clear water is less likely to cause damage. It is better to remove the spark plug to drain the cylinder so you can see if there is mud or grit in it.
Never buy a used bike from this guy.
Awww😢😂😂😂😂
Nothing wrong with what he did. What else you gonna do when miles from homes?
@@joshpodolsky7740 nothing, just dont confuse bike with boat, dont go so in deep water for the need of this procedure😅
Normally, every bike or ATV comes with a spark plug wrench. Much easier if you pull the plug and less chance of damage... but in a pinch, this works too !
Definite maga muppet
Take the spark plug out first to prevent a bent connecting rod.
It's not going to spark with water in there though right?
that'll happen when it first stalls from hydro-locking, that or you'll crack the head
Please tell me you're just joking about this ..@@aurboda
Bro whole time I was watching video I'm just thinking... who tf is this guy 😂😂😂 first tip should've been to not take your dirtbike thru a water hole.
@@gary6449 aurboda was correct. Wet spark plugs can not spark. Removing the spark plug and blowing on it to dry it speeds up the process.
That’s bad ass. I’ve always wondered what the hell I’d do if I swamped my bike. Thanks for making this vid!
The first time it happened to me 5 years ago, I was stranded, walked all the way back to the truck to rescue myself. Hope this helps you sometime in the future :-)
This shouldn’t be a regular practice. Water inside the cylinder housing is bad because water speeds up the oxidation of metal. Which can lead to engine failure. If this happens, have the motor checked by a qualified tech who can disassemble, clean, oil, and rebuild it.
@@millroyboy07 There's no need for a disassemble rebuild. The combustion/exhaust will get rid of the chance of that on the ride back to the truck. Changing the oil will also rid the bike of any residual water. If you were to let the bike sit after swamping it, sure but who would do that?
I would have removed the spark plug first
@auntysocialist Submersion is a world apart from ambient moisture.
Brilliant, never heard of the 6th gear part before, way easier the plug removal. Cheers 4 sharing sir.
You're welcome, hope you go on a deep enough adventure soon to experience this :-)
Thanks for sharing this! Many many people are under the assumtiong that engines are "dead" once they get water in them. Being a single cylinder.. they are never dead.
Exactly!!
That’s great. I’m gonna go sink my bike now just to try this method. :)
But for real, this was awesome to see such a great explanation.
Not very many people Hydro lock motors as often as a rental company that does a lot of overnight adventures through water crossings like we do. Figured I'd be a good source to show first hand experience 😂
Another tip is when you get back from your ride and you hydrolocked you motor a good idea to change the oil. Some water will have leaked into the crankcase, and water is not a good lubricant.
Definitely safe to do
Where is Travis bruh? I miss his videos...Thanks for the tip...did exactly this with my 690 in Iceland 👍
Glad you knew how to do this way out there in Iceland. Long walk back. Lol
TY...wish I knew this many yrs ago.
We all learned the hard way lol
Awsome set of tricks, thanks!
You are welcome :-)
All this water running downhill makes me believe the earth could be flat.
Interesting theory😂
Spite’s brother is a genius!
Spite's brother?
@@RTRrentals yeah I was referring to Spite who is running a youtube channel with bike content. Look him up you might see some resemblance...
@spitescorner
@spitescorner That guy looks like you litle bit! Also makes motorcycle content!
From YammieNoob
Nice info. I don't have much chance lifting my 890 onto the back wheel, big pig. Good to know for lighter bikes.
We did this on my tenere 700. With 2 people. But you might be able to unlock the motor with just rolling the wheel backwards in six gear on adventure bike. That might be just enough to break the motor loose without a 12 o clock wheelie
Does the motor need a cylinder hone after you get back home? Regardless, this is some lifesaving knowledge 🤟🏼
Always thought this would be the quickest way to bend a rod glad it worked out for you though
A starter is not powerful enough to bend a rod
@@RTRrentals good to know 👍
Been there done that multiple times riding richloam in Florida. We always took the plug out and turned the. Back wheel. I would not press the start button with a motor hydro locked. Apparently his starter is not strong enough to bend the rod but I wouldn’t chance it. Also change the oil and run it for a few minutes repeatedly till it comes out not looking like a milk shake when you get home.
This is a great trick when you don't have tools. And no starter on a dirtbike is strong enough to bend a rod. That's only when you go in the water wide-open throttle and the engine instantly goes from 8000 RPMs to zero RPMs
all right as a motorcycle mechanic here... I can tell you right now this is NOT what you wanna do this is how you burn up the starter trying to click it over and over again for 1, and 2 rotating the engine backwards is NOT going to help get water out even if you try to rotate it backwards in gear it will fock up the 1 way starter gear, destroy the engine due to water in the crank case. Best thing to do is not do this stupid crap with your bikes to get them waterlogged and if you do end up in this situation don't even bother trying to crank it even if you do get the plug out and can pump the water out you're still going to destroy your piston, cylinder Cams do to the water in the oil. and if your crank case is full of water and oil it'll blow the oil out through your PCV breather and then now you will have absolutely no oil and just only water in your crank case because oil floats on water.
As a Dirtbike rental business that has un hydra locked literally dozens of motors, and has put hundreds of hours on the motors afterwards, I can tell you this 100% works every single time reliably and never hurts the motor. Ever.
Remove spark plug, flip bike onto handlebars and kick it over a couple times, flip back onto wheels, dry plug and reinstall, start it...worked for my Honda.
This can be done in 2 minutes when you're not teaching new riders. And this is for when you don't have tools
Absolute Chad here.
Is that a good or bad reference? Lol😂
Wow! really impressed with that, knowledge is power. If you have a KTM 1190 I recommend having some tools at all times 🙂That may be just a little too heavy to stand up.
If you have a KTM 1190 don’t cross water streams deeper than 12 inches.
That's where rolling the back wheel backwards in six gear really helps. It still gets water out of the motor. If you're able to do the 12 o'clock wheelie though it speeds up the process
Yeah.... it's also a good idea to stand up to your bollocks in the water that you've just drove through while you do it 🤣😂
Why would it not be easier ,safer and quicker to just take the plug out ?
It's not. All this can be done in 2 minutes when not teaching new riders. And this is for when you don't have tools
You better change that oil IMMEDIATELY lol
Ancient wisdom passed down from the Moto Gods
Cherish this knowledge and share with others 😂
Wish I knew about this a year ago
Duuude I know right? I wish I knew this 6 years ago when it first happened..I walked 4 hours back to the truck the first time 😂
A much easier method is to lay the bike on it's side and lift both wheels up about a foot. This is much lighter and easier than standing the bike at 12 o'clock wheelie position.
That sounds harder to me. Especially if your solo I think it's easier to lift the bike up by yourself onto the back wheel and balance it. Plus the water needs somewhere to go. Water can't drain sideways out the side of the bike. But up at 12 o'clock gravity will pull it out of the Cylinder and the muffler at the same time
@@RTRrentals If you remove the spark plug, lay the bike on it's side, then lift the wheels up about 12", the spark plug hole will be the low point. I'll bet you a beer my way is easier. 😀
@herkimersnerd8740 I did not miss that. My motorcycles each came with a little tool kit that includes a spark plug socket just for these scenarios. That kit it under my seat and accompanies me wherever I go. I use the proper tools and do the job properly.
@@briangc1972 your method is to "work harder, not smarter", lol.
@@briangc1972 on the new generation Ktm it is a lot of work to remove a spark plug. You have to take off the radiator shrouds the tank unplugged the fuel line disconnect the fuel pump just to get access to the spark plug. In this video I did it in five minutes with teaching beginners. I can do all this by myself with no one around me less than two minutes and no tools. This is absolutely the quickest easiest way to do it. even if I have the tools, I don't want to use them if I don't need to
Great video, question: I got water in my 350 a while ago, (fine now) and it was not hydrolocked but the oil was milky through the oil glass on the side. The bike never fired on the trail after 12 o clocking her ext… after an oil change and a bump start it was fine back home. Were you worried about your oil in this situation? Or you knew it was bad and getting it running was worth it vs towing the bike out?
I'm not the video guy, but I'm willing to bet that even though they got the hydrolock free'd up, he would still recommend a full service on that bike after, ASAP, including fluids like oil that touched the water
It was cool to watch but it's going straight to the dealership for a trade in be on the lookout for a slightly used Husqvarna
Nope. That bike is only 5 months of rental service in...it's got 7 months to go still 😂
Why wouldn’t you push it onto dry ground. Lucky it didn’t bend the crank. If I got water in the cylinder I wouldn’t try to start or push in gear until the water was out
Easy enough to pull the plug and turn upside down.
The fkn crank isn't going to bend, lol.
@@AShearer76 sorry I should have said Rod. On my 350 the motor hydrolocked. The rod bent and damaged the lobe on the crank.
You can't bend the crank with a Cincy little 12 V starter motor. I've done it dozens of times
It's when you submerge the bike with heavy throttle is when you bend a crank
Just take the plug out and push it a few metres in gear 👍
Way too much work to remove that spark plug on the modern day Austrian bikes. I can do all this in two minutes or less when I'm not teaching people on camera. And no tools are needed for this
@@RTRrentals they do like to make things complicated now that's for sure 👍.
Why I still run my old Husaberg things a tank 💯
Why not do it on dry land ?
Dry land was uphill 😂
Ok Molly 😂
HOW DOES THIS NOT BENT THE ROD 100% OF THE TIME?
Was wondering the same.
It is a risky method in my opinion
neither you nor the starter has enough strength to bend the rod. Not nearly.
Ktm starters weak af on two smokers not much better on the fours ✌️😅🏴
A Cincy little 12 V starter motor will not bend a crank rod. but submarining a bike into the water with the throttle wide open at 8000 RPMs, is what bends the crank rod
I got one for ya stay out of water to deep it’s a dirt bike trail bike whatever it’s not a jet ski or a submarine
But the taco stand was on the other side!!!
Bad ass
Can this be done with a Rekluse clutch?
Yes
@@scottrugenstein7034 Will you not have to adjust it to lock up the clutch?
The lady with the red shoes is kinda clever but not to much 😅
For a second I was like what lady with red shoes? And then I got it😂
Can you show this with GS1300?
Why would a street bike ever go near a water crossing? Those things belong on roads. Asphalt and gravel roads 😂😜😜😜😜
Dude is worried about getting dirt on the rim of the air filter, but the dirty ass pond water in the engine is no problem 👌😂 This is how you trash an engine.
It's how you recover the motor when you lose it out in nature
Take the spark plug out
That's one way...
Still damaged
🙂
Why Don't you pull the spark plug out rookie? What a joke 😂😂
This is walk through on how to do it if you don't have tools
That was an awesome video to show. Perfect learning example, real life not staged.
Heck yeah man, you're welcome. Hopefully this saves you out there on the trail someday :-)
Great details. Many have seen lifting the bike up, but well done explaining what's going on in the engine, particularly about manually moving the drivetrain (on a 4 stroke) to get the exhaust and intake valves to move if they were closed, allowing water to drain
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent information, but I would push the bike up enough so I’m not standing in the water trying to get the bike running again
Meh I was already wet 😂 and plus there's a hill right in front of me, that made it tight.
Dude! Super useful clip, thanks!
Heck yeah, hope you go on a fun Dirtbike adventure and have a chance to utilize this method :-)
Good job!
Thanks!
Good stuff, thanks for posting. Side note: I’m glad we didn’t have to use this method on the spring “fxxk it” ride to Crown King last year. 😂
I like the fxxxxk it ride we did ::)
5:00 The primo in the back with the four wheeler could care less lol
I think he was legit worried. 35 miles from the nearest asphalt
Legand
great ! now the bike is clean inside as well ! like B new !
I know right? Exactly 😂
@@RTRrentals
Not to self. Don’t buy this guys used rental bikes. Ever 😮
best way to do it apart from I wouldn't rev it like that, just let it tick over
Meh 🤷♂️
I’m assuming the first thing you do when you get back is change the oil?
No you just keep revving it hard and riding, it's a KTM so it was already destined to blow regardless
Yup. Even though there's no water in the motor you still change it to be safe
Why is everyone just revving their bikes after startup?!
Do it in 2 minutes by removing the spark plug.
Heh. Wish you could do that for 6.0 litre chevy. 🤣
That sounds like a bad day😂
Awesome! Thanks for this!
You are welcome :-)
Btw check your oil after because most times a looot of water enter the oil and you will break the engine
I have a lot of experience in hidrolocked engines 🙃
Luckily no water got in this time, but still definitely change the oil after every hydro to be safe
Should not be out riding without at least some basic tools so it can be done properly.
I have the tools, and still don't want to use them. Because this method can be done in two minutes or less if you arent teaching new people on a camera. And this is a good tutorial for those that don't have tools. Because
It happens
This is how to kill a engine. You to never never start a water locket engine
No, the engine is already dead. This is how you revitalize it
Not gonna lie, I'd rather have tools on me to remove a plug, but hey, this obviously works, and like he's said in a comment, a 12v starter won't bend a rod. Great work and well explained, def something I'd like to remember. Thanks 👍
Bike for sale, hardly used… only driven on pavement 🤣🤣
You forgot recently washed 😂
This girl socks at camera
She did awesome job
Where can we send your refund?
How can you tell she had socks on?
Question: Same technique for 2-strokes.. including the 6th gear push backwards..?
I think 2smokes will be harder to fix since the water goes into the engine not only cylinder. Not sure though
Yes
@@goatman862 strokes are much more tolerant to being drowned.
@@tonn333 I'll take your word for it. Last time on a 2 stroke was some 25yrs ago. And it had no fancy reed valves or anything.
Yes exact same procedure. And the six gear roll backwards, is only when the 12 o'clock is not enough to drain the water out. On two strokes, 98% of the time a 12 o'clock is enough to get the water out. It's really only the four strokes where you need to more commonly do a six gear rollback
Or take the spark plug out.
Wayyy too much work. And here's how you do it when you don't have tools
Now do a car.
There's a reason I travel the wilderness on a motorbike and not a car 😂
An how much waters in the oil an prob the crank case
Zero water. Drain the oil after the ride to be safe in zero water got into the oil
Or you can remove the spark plug!
Way too much work on the new model KTM bikes. And plus, if you don't have tools
Does it mess up to ride it after this?
Same question - is it pretty much time to re-ring the motor after this happens?
Good to ride as long as you change the oil at first opportunity
@@jjjjrrr678 right on.
Depends on the water quality. Muddy water will leave grit in the cylinder. Clear water is less likely to cause damage. It is better to remove the spark plug to drain the cylinder so you can see if there is mud or grit in it.
@@briangc1972 makes sense.