18 HP Evinrude spent a week on the bottom of the lake

[White Feather]

Re: 18 HP Evinrude spent a week on the bottom of the lake

Sorry guys - several new posts came in while I was in the process of typing my last one and I only just read them.

The thought of moisture being introduced into the compression chamber has crossed my mind, but unrelated to a head gasket failure. I'm thinking maybe there's a few table spoons of water still in the crankcase and it's getting introduced with the mixture a little at a time? Since so many of you seem to feel I may indeed have a head gasket problem, and since the head is a snap to take on and off, I'll go ahead and get a new gasket and change it out anyway. Couldn't hurt and maybe that's part of the problem after all. I'll let you know.

As for the starter Mikesea, you bet I still use it . I disassembled and cleaned it the same evening we retrieved the motor. After drying it out with my wife's hair drier, (no, she doesn't know and I would prefer it stay that way) I used a similar product as you described. Thanks for the tip just the same though. It works fine.

Concerning the prop, I do have an extra but I will be amazed if that is the problem. This old 18 will rear back and go from zero to plane. If the hub is spinning I would think it would be as apparent, or perhaps more so on take off then at WOT cruising speed. I'll give it a look-see. I've been surprised before.

Thanks again for everyone's input. This really is fine resource and I appreciate you sharing your expertise. I will keep you posted as I go along.

 

[iwombat]

Re: 18 HP Evinrude spent a week on the bottom of the lake

Be sure to check out your head while you have it off. New gaskets on a warped head don't fare so well.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 18 HP Evinrude spent a week on the bottom of the lake

while you have the head off turn it over with the starter, with the gas connected, if it has water in it, it may blow it out. the reason i say with gas connected is so it gets lubrication while turning.

 

[iwombat]

Re: 18 HP Evinrude spent a week on the bottom of the lake

Ground the plug wires though to avoid any "foom foom" type action.

 

[F_R]

Re: 18 HP Evinrude spent a week on the bottom of the lake

I think I read back there somewhere that you've ran 3 gallons of gas through it already. Not to fear, all the water is blown out of the crankcase and cylinders by now.

 

[White Feather]

Re: 18 HP Evinrude spent a week on the bottom of the lake

10/4 on checking the head for flatness, and on grounding the plug wires. We certainly don't want any "foom foom" going on.

Before I do anything though I'm taking it back out on the lake this weekend. I believe the off-chance exists that the only problem was a damp ignition system. Coils, points, plug wires and the like. It's been warm and sunny here in eastern Arkansas this last week so the old Evinrude/Johnson hybrid should have had time to dry out. I'll let you know how it goes.

Can a motor really run this well at every speed except WOT with a blown head gasket?

 

[White Feather]

Re: 18 HP Evinrude spent a week on the bottom of the lake

PS - hey Lieutenant F_R, I'm hoping you are correct sir. In all honesty my biggest concern has been hidden moisture in the crankcase that just won't come out. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.:|