When You Get Stuck In Water - MINSK Repair Manual

When You Get Stuck in Water
One time south of Hanoi a normal enough pool of water turned out to be deep
enough to leave a high water-mark line on the petrol tank. Muddy water got into
everything – engine, exhaust, air filter and carburettor. If the same thing happens
to you then do persevere, as it is only a matter of time before the water and grit in
your system is removed and you can get some combustion going. Water will not
kill your Minsk, it will only quiet it down a while.
Basically you are going to have to get the water out of the air box and filter,
the carburettor, the exhaust pipe, the generator, the wires and the engine. The
worst thing you can do is try and kick-start the bike while it is still in the water as
the back pressure will suck water into the cylinder and carburettor. This will make
life tough as these are the most complicated parts to clean.
So first try and pour out as much water as possible from the exhaust pipe by
lifting the front wheel – get the bike as vertical as possible. Then disconnect the
exhaust pipe from the engine mount and try to wipe as much mud and water as
possible from inside the engine. Take out the sparkplug and give it a good clean.
Use a lighter to dry your sparkplug and sandpaper should they be too wet. Clean
and wet the sparkplug with a little petrol, cross your fingers and give the bike a
kick-start or two. You could even put a little petrol directly into the engine to give
it a bit of a kick. If the bike starts then rev the shit out of it to warm it up. Problem
solved.
If the bike does not start then have a look at your air filter. A wet air filter will
stop air from getting in so take it off and dry it. If it is wet and muddy then it is no
good for anyone. When trying to start the bike without it, use a shirt to provide
some measure of filtering. Make sure that the sparkplug you are using is strong.
Check the generator is not wet by opening up the generator case on the bottom
right-hand side of the bike and drying it. Empty the air box of water and mud. Dry
all the wires going into and out of the electric box.
If the cylinder is full of mud then you're going to have to get it out. Put some
cloth over the sparkplug hole and kick-start the engine again and again so as to
spit out any water in the cylinder either via the sparkplug hole or the exhaust pipe
hole – which is open as you have already removed it. This action will also warm
the engine up helping the water to evaporate.
Remove the carburettor, get rid of the mud and water in it and make sure all
the jets are clean.
Once you do get the engine running then give it a good blast to help clear out
any bits of grime and water in the system. Remember to push/bump-start the bike
a lot as this action helps clear blockages both in the carburettor and the cylinder.
©Digby Greenhalgh 2000
Minsk Repair Manual
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