Any tips on dealing with a sunken motor?

[psinatra]

I couldn't find a sticky abut this.

Anyway, The other night a huge storm came up and my tin can got a lot of water. The next morning the wave overtook the transom and my 15 hp 4-stroke merc went swimming for a couple of hours.


I was wondering what tips you guys had for CPR. So far, I changed the oil (there was a LOT of water in there) and the gas as well.

What else should I be doing?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Any tips on dealing with a sunken motor?

Drain the oil, remove and replace the oil filter, drain all the fuel the best you can. Pull the plugs and spin the engine over to expell any water in the cylinders. Spray any type of lubricant or just squirt engine oil in each cylinder and rotate the engine to lub the cylinders. Fill it with oil, add fresh gas and start it up. It may run really bad for a bit but do not wait to get this process done. A matter of a few hours is enough to begin corrosion. The sooner you get it running the better. And once it is running, keep it running for good amount of time to ensure it is thoroughly dried out.

 

[psinatra]

Re: Any tips on dealing with a sunken motor?

Drain the oil, remove and replace the oil filter, drain all the fuel the best you can. Pull the plugs and spin the engine over to expell any water in the cylinders. Spray any type of lubricant or just squirt engine oil in each cylinder and rotate the engine to lub the cylinders. Fill it with oil, add fresh gas and start it up. It may run really bad for a bit but do not wait to get this process done. A matter of a few hours is enough to begin corrosion. The sooner you get it running the better. And once it is running, keep it running for good amount of time to ensure it is thoroughly dried out.

thank you kind sir,

It's good to know that I'm on the right track...

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Any tips on dealing with a sunken motor?

Remember, get it started ASAP, its very important.

 

[Les Robb]

Re: Any tips on dealing with a sunken motor?

Nobody asked so let's hope it was freshwater. Salt brings in a whole lot of problems.

Good luck

 

[psinatra]

Re: Any tips on dealing with a sunken motor?

Nobody asked so let's hope it was freshwater. Salt brings in a whole lot of problems.

Good luck

thanks! It's freshwater.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Any tips on dealing with a sunken motor?

Have you gotten it running yet?

 

[psinatra]

Re: Any tips on dealing with a sunken motor?

Have you gotten it running yet?

no I haven't yet. It was a real pig to pull on (but always started on the first pull) and it's even worse right now. (I'll be posting a thread about THAT later)


Unfortunately, this is my first motor. I grew up with motors, but this is the first I bought myself. (and the first 4-stroke I've ever used) it's a slightly used 2001. Looked immaculate (the guy I bought it from had too many boats and never used this)

And even MORE unfortunately, I've only used it a few days before this happened. I've done everything according to the books but I still can't get it going. I even bought new spark plugs.

I'm looking at this as a good opportunity to get to know my motor.

any tips on relieving a bit of tension on the pull cord? As far as tillers go, I grew up on a 4hp, so it was always a breeze.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Any tips on dealing with a sunken motor?

So you've drained the oil and replaced it?

Did you drain the carbs?

Take the pugs out and pull, it should be much easier, if not there could be other issues.

Check for spark.

 

[psinatra]

Re: Any tips on dealing with a sunken motor?

So you've drained the oil and replaced it?

Did you drain the carbs?

Take the pugs out and pull, it should be much easier, if not there could be other issues.

Check for spark.

I've drained the oil and replaced it, replace the fuel (the tank ended up submerged too) emptied any fuel from the cylinders and replaced the plugs.


Thanks for the tip on checking for spark!

(I'm a noob at troubleshooting)

 

[psinatra]

Re: Any tips on dealing with a sunken motor?

well gentlemen,

it appears that I have no spark.....


I should probably start another thread about this in the merc repair forum.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Any tips on dealing with a sunken motor?

Put it in a warm place with the cowl off and a fan blowing on it for a while and see what happens.

 

[psinatra]

Re: Any tips on dealing with a sunken motor?

Put it in a warm place with the cowl off and a fan blowing on it for a while and see what happens.

thanks. I've had it off all afternoon. Unfortunately, our truck is back home so I can't take it in to the shop.