Dip engine in Muriatic Acid?

[amsimonsjs]

Hello,

This may seem pretty crazy, but here goes:

I just boat a boat that sunk during tropical storm Fay.

Its a 1988 SportCraft with a 1998 merc 200.

The boat and engine are all full of muck and barnacles.

Im gonna pressure clean the boat, but the engine is locked up and full of muck.

the lower half of the engine was sitting in water for quite a while, so that part has ALOT of barnacles. The powerhead just has alot of muck on it.

Im gonna pull the engine off the boat, and i wanna give it a dip in some sort of chemical that will remove the barnacles and muck.

Can I use muriatic acid mixed with water? I dont know how it would react to the rubber, plastic, and any electrical parts.

I know muriatic acid will leave the thing looking like new, but i am afraid that i will damage the lower unit seals, gas lines, etc.

Please let me know if this is safe to use or not, and if not, what chemical should i use?

 

[4Bassin]

Re: Dip engine in Muriatic Acid?

The acid will eat the aluminum like a dog on a steak. I would recommend buying a overhaul gasket set and dismantling the engine completly. The lower unit should be ok since it stays in water anyway.
For the lower unit I would get some Simple Green and a couple of red 3M scotchbrite pads from a local auto store and scrub it with the scotchbrite pads. You will have to repaint the lower unit but it will be clean.
For the powerhead I would pull it apart and power wash everything inside it. Then reassemble with plenty of lubricant. The electronics can take a direct spray from a pressure washer such as a car wash wand. Spray from a distance and it will clean up nice. If you wish you could use a can of engine cleaner on the motor before hitting it with the water.
The main thing here is to be sure you get all of the dirt, sand, and other debris from inside the motor. If you don't you will be buying another powerhead shortly.

 

[emckelvy]

Re: Dip engine in Muriatic Acid?

Muriatic acid will probably remove the sea growth, but it will also remove the major parts of your outboard which are made from aluminum!!!

Pressure washing might remove the growth on the lower parts, I'd imagine if you sprayed first with bleach and let it soak, it would kill anything that's still alive. This might loosen things up a bit for the pressure wash.

The powerhead, if already locked up, is gonna be pretty much shot. To salvage anything that might be left, flush it real good with fresh water (inside and out) then oil up the innards.

Same thing with the boat, worst is gonna be salt intrusion into the electrics. Flush with fresh water as much as you can and hopefully when it all dries out the damage won't be extreme.

HTH & G'luck............ed

 

[BIGcarpy50]

Re: Dip engine in Muriatic Acid?

how did it turn out