ran atc250r with no water!!!

[denn]

Well it like the title says. I ran my 85 atc 250r with pretty much no water in the rads. I changed the clutch and forgot to re add water. I got so dam side tracked cause it sat for so long after the clutch change. I took it out for the first time and didn't check the fluids. I only went for about 5 min or so until I realized it. It didn't seize up or anything but I noticed a different sound a bit of a light gurgle. Went right home and shut it off let it sit and added water to her. I took it out and everything seems fine. The motor was just rebuilt and has like 4 hours on it. There was some water in the overflow and probably some left in the cylinder cause I didn't drain that. I am really not familiar with atc 250r's and there durability. This is my first one in 30 years of 3 wheeling. I know my Tri-Z was pretty resilient and would probably be ok with this. Anyone have any insight to the extent of the damage that could have been done from this. I didn't do the rebuild but I an going to assume it was done with a cast piston cause I know wiseco would have locked up tight quick. any info will help thanks

[honda4h]

i think you will be ok that gurgle was some fluid left in there and may have saved your engine. however keep a eye on it for leaks and loss of fluid. that's my 2 sense. im no expert. other guys may know better.

[3 Wheel Drive]

Its should be fine, i ran my chevy s10 for who knows how long without checking oil... When i realized it was low i ended up filling it with like 4 qts before it showed up on the stick. I know its not the same thing but it reminds me of doing that...lol

Mix it a little richer and add that marvelous mystery oil id say your fine.

[dougspcs]

Wait, did you say you realized there was no water in it so your turn around and drove it home?

I'd have hit the kill switch and walked home..that could have cost you your engine right there.

In this case sounds like you got off easy..

[threewheelin-feelin]

probably didnt get hot enough in 5 mins to cause any issues. just make sure you got water in it and run it

[yamaha225dr]

It sounds like you got lucky but I would at least remove the head and look at the jug and piston.

[hatc200x1]

If it has the same compression as before you shouldnt need to pull the head.

[yamaha225dr]

If it has the same compression as before you shouldnt need to pull the head.

I almost edited my post to say this but I was to lazy.

[barnett468]

Hello

pull your ex pipe and look for scratches on front of the piston, report results and post photo, this way you will know and sleep better at night since you seem justifiably worried about it.

As others mentioned, it's probably fine.

[JasonB]

top off the rads, and ride it hard. Probably fine if you didnt seize it up. Trust me, i stayed in a holiday in last night

[bkm]

I had a similar situation only mine rode fine up until the point it seized. After it cooled down and water was added it would turn over. I didn't even try and start it. I just pulled the top end back off and went with a new bore job and the next piston size up because the rings were melted into the piston.

[El Camexican]

As long as there was some water in it the pump seal should have survived and as long as you didn't feel any sudden stop and lurches that tried to toss you over the bars it likley didn't seize, but I'd pull the pipe and look for smeared aluminium as barnett suggested.

Good news is that if it all checks out your break-in period has been greatly reduced ;)

[threewheelin-feelin]

i ran mine with out coolant till it siezed about 4 months after i bought it. i found it was empty so i filled it with water and let it cool down. about 10 mins later it freed up and started right up and i rode it 4 years with no problems

[denn]

Thanks for all the insight. I feel like a moron for doing this. Especially since the ATC is in Mint condition. I wont be home till the weekend. I'm definitely going to do a compression test and pull the pipe and see what I can. Hopefully everything is still cool. I guess as long as there is no scoring and the piston ring area looks ok I should be good. I do have a question though, El Camexican said some thing about the water pump seal. Ive never heard of that. Is that just with the hondas. I didn't think that the pump seal could burn up with no water. That would mean that water would have to ride between the seal and the water pump shaft to lube it?? Again, This is the first Honda Ive owned in 30 years of atving. Thanks again, Dennis

[El Camexican]

Thanks for all the insight. I feel like a moron for doing this. Especially since the ATC is in Mint condition. I wont be home till the weekend. I'm definitely going to do a compression test and pull the pipe and see what I can. Hopefully everything is still cool. I guess as long as there is no scoring and the piston ring area looks ok I should be good. I do have a question though, El Camexican said some thing about the water pump seal. Ive never heard of that. Is that just with the hondas. I didn't think that the pump seal could burn up with no water. That would mean that water would have to ride between the seal and the water pump shaft to lube it?? Again, This is the first Honda Ive owned in 30 years of atving. Thanks again, Dennis

I would not worry about it. Coolant should not get past the seal lip unless it is badly worn. Providing it was in good shape before this incident should not have damaged it. Just take a look at your trans oil after your next ride and make sure it does not look like milk.

[Rigaman]

Ya man your fine. If it was a tri-z you were running, that damn thermostat wouldn't even have enough time to open in that short of a ride. heh.