What Every ARGO Owner Should Know

“Is water inside my ARGO normal?”

Short Answer – yes, small amounts of water can be completely normal. But understanding how your bilge pump and drain plugs work together is key to keeping your machine reliable and ready for adventure.

Why Water Gets Inside an ARGO

ARGO vehicles are amphibious machines designed to operate in mud, water, snow, and extreme terrain. Because of the environment, small amounts of water may enter the lower body (tub) from: Axle bearings and seals, Wet boots and gear, Washing the machine, Condensation & temperature changes.

The ARGO unit is designed to handle this – but managing water properly is important.

What Does the Bilge Pump Do?

The bilge pump is your automatic water removal system. Its purpose removes standing water from bottom of the tub, helps keep chains – bearings – and components dry and maintains buoyancy while operating in water.

When water reaches the pump level, it activates and pumps water out through the discharge hose.

Important things to know

The bilge pump is not meant to keep the machine completely dry; it works best while engine is running, it is a safety convenience feature – not a substitute for maintenance.

Bilge Pump Best Practices

Test your bilge pump regularly, listen for pump activation after water use, keep pump intake clear of debris, check wiring and fuse conditions periodically, and confirm discharge hose is not kinked or blocked.

A quick seasonal check – test can prevent problems later.

The Role of Drain Plugs

Drain plugs are just as important as the bilge pump. Every ARGO owner should know where their drain plugs are located and how to use them properly.

Why Drain Plugs Matter

Even with a working bilge pump, moisture and debris settle at the lowest points of the tub. Removing drain plugs allows you to: Fully drain trapped water, remove sand or debris, prevent corrosion, and reduce chain / bearing wear.

When Should You Pull the Drain Plugs?

We recommend removing drain plugs: After riding in water or deep mud, washing your ARGO, before long-term storage, heavy rain exposure, and of course during routine inspections.

Parking the machine slightly nose – up or nose – down helps ensure complete drainage.

Common Mistakes

Leaving drain plugs installed during storage, assuming the bilge pump removes all water, not checking for debris buildup, and ignoring small amounts of moisture.

Remember: a dry tub is a happy ARGO…

Quick Inspection Checklist

Before & After rides: Check bilge pump operation, verify drain plugs are clear, inspect for excess water accumulation, listen to unusual chain or bearing noise and allow machine to dry when possible.

Final Thoughts

Your ARGO is built to go where most vehicles cannot – across mud, marsh, and open water. Proper use of your bilge pump and drain plugs ensures that capability continues for years to come.

A few minutes of inspection after each ride can prevent costly repairs and keep your machine adventure – ready.

If you ever notice excessive water accumulation or a bilge pump that isn’t operation correctly, contact your Service Dealer for inspection.

Take care of your water management system, and your ARGO will take care of the terrain.