Boat Flooded, Need help!

[dude_newbie]

I posted this in the general and recieved some good feedback. Here is my issue:

My boat has been in my driveway for the past couple of weeks with the cover on it and in those weeks we have had around 14 inches of rain. And of course, I decided for some idiotic reason to keep the plug in. I always take my plug out when I trailer my boat but this time I didnt. My guess is about 12 inches of water was sitting in it before I noticed, I drained it all out but noticed that the water had hit my alternator. Not sure about the starter but I will check today. The water also hit my battery compartment.
I have learned that I will need to replace my alternator, battery and maybe my starter. And re-do any electrical connections to these components. Can anybody tell me about my outdrive?? Behind my battery seems to be a huge module that may control my outdrive. Can anyone else shed some light on this? What else do I need to do? What really sucks is that I am going on vacation in about 1wk and 1/2 and of course I use my boat for vacation.

 

[tommays]

Re: Boat Flooded, Need help!

Need more info about what you have ?

how did alt get under water ? 470 merc


Tommays

 

[dude_newbie]

Re: Boat Flooded, Need help!

I have a 1998 175 series Sea Ray I/O. 3.0 liter 135HP 4 cylinder. I had the cover on it and we had about 14inches or rain. Plug was still in it and water rose to the alternator. The alternator was not completely under water, it was about 1/2 in the water. The connections to it from what I can tell water had been hitting those connections.

 

[vipzach]

Re: Boat Flooded, Need help!

On my boat, the entire boat would have to be over half full of water to submerge the alt. The best thing to do, would be to take the alt and starter to a shop and have them checked/rebuilt. The fastest thing to do would be just buy new ones. Is there are water line on your motor, so you could be positive the water got that high?

On the outdrive question: Are you talking about the trim pump? If so, check the fluids in the reservoir. IF it was also submerged, it will need to bechecked also.

Did the water get high enough to get back into the bellows?

 

[tommays]

Re: Boat Flooded, Need help!

If you got that high the trim pump was under water and you most likely got water into the gimble bearing and bellows area


I would thing you have water in the foam areas that will not drain

It sounds like you more or less sank it and have some pretty big dammage YOU need to talk to your insurance company

Tommays

 

[dude_newbie]

Re: Boat Flooded, Need help!

The boat was not half full what so ever. I would say at the worse 12 inches on the deck floor but more towards the back since it was on a slant. My plan is to just replace alternator and starter. Take the ones out and get them rebuilt if they can be rebuilt. The starter looks like it started to have corrosion before this incident, so we shall see..

I believe that is the trim unit. Looks like water hit because it sits low behind the batter compartment. I will check the fluid, it looks as though the resovoir oil is a bit low so I can fill that back up.

As far as the bellows, I could I even tell?? Gimble bearings, not quite sure how to check that either. My cousin was over and he has more boat experience than I do, hopefully he can give some more details. I have called my insurance company but I am hoping its not major damage. By the way, no water in the oil so thats a plus!!

 

[Don S]

Re: Boat Flooded, Need help!

As far as the bellows, I could I even tell?? Gimble bearings, not quite sure how to check that either

You have to remove the outdrive to check the gimbal bearing, there will be water in it and the bellows, but since it's fresh water and the engine hasn't been run, it shouldn't be a problem.
For the gimbal bearing (after the water is removed, pump grease into the zirk until you see no more water. Turn the bearing a quarter turn and do it again. Lube the ujoints as well. If you can't I would replace them.
Spay some WD-40 around the seal on the drive to get rid of any water that can rust the sealing surface.
Also look inside the coupler while the drive is off. Some compressed air will make sure all the water is out of the splines. Gease the shaft good when you put it back in.
I would have a starter/alternator go through the starter and alternator just to make sure. They will also make sure the water is out of any bushings and bearings

 

[dude_newbie]

Re: Boat Flooded, Need help!

Okay, here is where I stand. I have replaced the alternator and have redid my connections to my alternator and starter. I had to get a new battery so I have done that as well. After doing this I attempted to start my boat. If fired up right away. So that a plus, but here is my next issue.

I trimed my outdrive down but now I cant raise it up. When I hit the trailer button I just here a click but no action. Does anybody know of a way that I can manually move my outdrive up?? Or better yet , does anybody have a clue what my issue maybe?? Like I had said before, there is a module that sits behind my batter compartment, I assume that it is my trim module. That seems to have been hit with the water. Any info what be helpful! Thanks guys!!

 

[rebars1]

Re: Boat Flooded, Need help!

Maybe try fiddling with the buttons a bit. Happened to me for a while, then it suddenly started working again. Or you could try hot wiring the unit.

 

[Don S]

Re: Boat Flooded, Need help!

Since it works going down, I would suspect a bad up solenoid. You can jump it from the battery with a jumper wire. Or jump across the 2 large terminals on the solenoid.
Here is a thread that should SHOW you how to do it.

http://www.iboats.com/bbboard/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=24;gtid=1107793;gpid=1120037

Also, you need a Mercruiser manual for your drive. It has detailed information on how to trouble shoot your trim system.
Here is a link to a free online Merc manual.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14cover.pdf

 

[dude_newbie]

Re: Boat Flooded, Need help!

I will see what I can come up with.. Thanks for the suggestions, it is a big help!! Thanks guys! I will keep you guys posted..

 

[dude_newbie]

Re: Boat Flooded, Need help!

Okay guys, here is where I stand. Admiral Don S, great advice, I was able to raise my outdrive by getting my manual and looking at the jumper connections. It worked great! I took both my solenoids out and swapped out. Now my outdrive raises and lowers no problem!! So that is a relief!!

Now, I have noticed now that my resovoir for my hydraulic pumps for my outdrive is somewhat leaking. I noticed that there is a factory pinhole on the cap, and when I raise or lower my drive it builds pressure and leaks from this pinhole. Is this normal? Anybody have any clue why it may be doing this?? Now this resovoir is topped off to the top! I kinda thought that was strange and made an assumption that maybe water got into the resevoir but when I open it up and cant really tell if there is water. I would have thought that a seperation of water an oil would be visible but I dont see it! Any more advice would be appreciated!! Thanks guys!

 

[tommays]

Re: Boat Flooded, Need help!

The water mixes in and makes a nice color with what ever type of oil was in there

I would suck it out (turkey baster would do it ) and put in some clean 30wt

It should be about 3/4 full if you have the plastic tank


Tommays

 

[dude_newbie]

Re: Boat Flooded, Need help!

ITs actually oildyne/Singer Pump resovoir that its happening to. So is it the same thing as what Tommays suggested?

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Boat Flooded, Need help!

Unfortunately when this happens (water in bilge) several things happen,even above the water intrusion line,due to extreme condensation.

Have you checked the engine oil ?The seals on the crankshaft (front AND back) keep the oil in.They do not keep water out.

Good luck,it'll take awhile,but keep at it.

DHP

 

[bamadave]

Re: Boat Flooded, Need help!

You have not mentioned inspecting the drive. Don suggested removing the drive to check for water in the bellows but you have already fired the engine up. I understand the urgency to start the engine to have peace of mind. But, ignoring the internals of the drive can cost you big money also. Pull your drive, even if you never have, it won't take but a few minutes, put in forward gear, disconnect the rams, take off 6 nuts, and the drive is all but off. There is no reason not to remove to check everything. You might save the gimble and u-joints.