What To Do If Your Bike Gets Flooded During Monsoon

Monsoon season is here, and you may get many surprises; one of them is flooding. If you stay in states like Maharashtra where it has rained heavily recently, this can help you. Bikes and scooters affected by heavy floods can get damaged if they aren’t checked before starting. Here’s how you can avoid expensive repair bills:

1. Don't Start The Engine

If you try starting a flooded two-wheeler, it will force water into the engine, leading to severe internal damage. See if you can get the water completely out of the exhaust system. 

2. Move It To A Dry Place

Move the two-wheeler to higher ground away from water. This will make it easier to inspect the motorcycle and prevent even more exposure to water.

3. Check The Water Level

You need to check how high the water level has reached on your two-wheeler. If it was at the engine or airbox level, do not attempt to start it. The higher the water level is, the greater the chance that water has entered inside the engine. 

4. Inspect The Air Filter

The air filter must be removed and inspected for moisture and dirt. A wet air filter indicates to us that water has entered the intake. Thus, the bike or scooter must be checked by an expert technician before the engine is cranked. 

5. Check The Engine Oil

The engine oil should be checked – use the oil dipstick or the sight glass. If the engine oil appears milky–  water has mixed with the oil. The contaminated oil must be thoroughly taken out and replaced with new engine oil before the two-wheeler gets started again. 

6. Inspect The Brakes

If your bike or scooter was only partially submerged in flood water, ensure that the brakes function properly before riding. Pump the brakes and do not ride until they feel normal, testing them carefully at low speeds first. For disc brake systems, if water has entered the brake lines, the brake fluid will require replacement.

7. Don't Restart A Submerged Two-Wheeler

If your two-wheeler gets significantly submerged, do not attempt to restart, as water may have damaged the engine or electrical system. Restarting the two-wheeler could worsen the damage and increase repair costs – instead, follow the steps above before starting it. 

8. Tow It To A Service Centre

This is the best thing you can do for your two-wheeler. If you are unsure, or cannot do any of the above, take it to an authorised service centre – do not experiment with your bike.  A technician will then inspect the engine, electricals, and other important components. This is the safest way to get your two-wheeler back on the road.