Boohoo, my outboard sank.

[windwoman]

So, a failed transom mounted adjustable outboard bracket failed on my small sailboat resulting in my 2007 Tohatsu 4hp going for a swim while running . Fortunately, we were in shallow water and I found it.
Within hours, I had flushed the thing with lots of fresh water, dissected the entire fuel system and carburetor, cleaning and drying thoroughly and carefully reassembling. I changed out the oil til clear. I removed the spark plug and squirted WD40 into the cylinder.
I have good compression, but poor spark. Now what?

 

[ngt]

Re: Boohoo, my outboard sank.

buy a chain or something and link/hook your motor to something on the transom to stop this from happening again

 

[pvanv]

Re: Boohoo, my outboard sank.

Do you mean a weak spark, or none? Does the motor run? Is it the MFS4A2 model? You may have a wet exciter, which may dry out and then be OK. Is compression still good? Since it was running when submerged, the cylinder ingested non-compressible water, which may have bent the connecting rod, so compression may be really low.

So, a failed transom mounted adjustable outboard bracket failed on my small sailboat resulting in my 2007 Tohatsu 4hp going for a swim while running . Fortunately, we were in shallow water and I found it.
Within hours, I had flushed the thing with lots of fresh water, dissected the entire fuel system and carburetor, cleaning and drying thoroughly and carefully reassembling. I changed out the oil til clear. I removed the spark plug and squirted WD40 into the cylinder.
I have good compression, but poor spark. Now what?

 

[windwoman]

Re: Boohoo, my outboard sank.

It's not running. Yeah, I thought about it being a wet exciter, but it's been out in the hot sun for three days now, so I've about given up on that idea. I got some help with it yesterday and found good spark, but poor compression, 50 psi. So, where it sank running, I'm guessing it is a bent rod.
Seeing how I have time but no money right now, I don't think I have anything to lose by tearing it apart a bit more to have a look. I ordered the service manual and will commence further exploration upon it's arrival.
NGT, there's no good place for a chain or cable on this small 19' boat. The motor weighs in at 57 lbs dry weight. I had a preventer on it at one time, then realized if the motor ever did fall off, it would do a lot of damage to this lightly built boat. The only thing to fasten it to was the traveler, which is about 5-6mm stainless. That might hold it, if it were well fastened, which it's not.
Thanks for the replies.