1998 Artic Cat 250 2x4 died on me

[robert]

i have a 1998 artic cat 250cc 2x4 and i was driving it and i flew through a puddle and it shutdown i got it to turn over but it was struggling even though it had a fully charged battery i waited a few seconds and tried again and it started right up i realized something was wrong so i went as fast as i could trying to get as close back to the garage as possible because i was afraid if it stalled again it would not start i was approximately 3-5 miles through rough curving bumpy trail i was driving fast i got probably about 1/4 mile before it stalled and the fourwheeler just locked up and skidded i tried starting it again same thing after it first staled i repeatedly tried but nothing would happen i pushed it a ways then tried it again but the starter was spinning nothing was grinding or anything but the engine clearly was turning of the engine right i pushed it a ways got anothing fourwheeler and at one point in towing it swayed out to the side hit a tree and rolled no damage i got it back to my garage. its been two days since then i tried starting it still did nothing so i tried the pull start no compression what so ever i took out the spark plug and put it back in and it felt the same pulling it wether the plug was in or out. it isnt even hard to pull if the decompression switch isnt flipped. my dad just put 2,000 into it getting the electronics replaced so i am hoping to get this fixed without him having to pay more for my mistakes this also isnt even the first time i have got soaked riding it

Edited June 27, 2010 by robert

[zancat]

No compression? That's what happened to mine when I drove it when there was no oil. I had to have mine 'bored out' as the mechanic called it. Did you find out what is wrong with it yet?

[robert]

i dont know whats wrongs with it a guy that comes over when he hears us over at our garage came over and took a look at it he said it was probly electronics.

[DirtDemon]

Moved you into your own thread. Are you sure it is a 1998? I think '99 was the first year for the 250. I could be wrong though.

No compression means you need to start by tearing into the motor. If it is a problem with the compression release system, or a broken timing chain, you will find the issue under the valve cover. If you have a stuck or bent valve, you may be able to detect the problem from under the valve cover, but you will want to remove the head to confirm. It will be necessary to fix it anyway. After the head is removed, you will be able to inspect the valves, guides, seats, piston, cylinder bore, any of these things or a combination of, could be your problem. One thing I am quite sure of, is that an electronic problem will not cause you to lose compression. My best guess is that you sucked too much cool water into the intake and bent a valve.

Edited July 7, 2010 by DirtDemon

[robert]

so to fix it there is no way around taking apart the engine cause it is on amazing fourwheeler it is so smooth i hate to ruin the engine on such an amazing fourwheeler

[DirtDemon]

First do a compression test to confirm that you have not compression. If there is none, or there is very little, you will need to start getting into the motor. Like I said, bad electronics won't cause a loss of compression. The only othere scenario I could think of is that maybe you a sheared off a woodruff key somewhere and the engine isn't turning over at all. How is it that you are sure the motor is actually turning over. Either way start with a compression test.

[robert]

How do you do a compression test.

I know it's turning over because if I take out the spark plug and put my hand above the hole I feel blasts of air

[DirtDemon]

You need a compression tester, they are available at any auto parts store, it screws in to the spark plug hole and you turn the motor over several times until the needle stops going up. It is a good idea to turn the gas off when you do this.