Outboard Submerged - Help!!

[thimsllib]

Hi all...pretty new to this site and could use some help. After a hard rainstorm, I went to check on my boat and found that it went under. The ropes held it from going to the bottom, but the motor did become mostly submerged (the top of the power head was above water). I got the boat out of the water and am now trying to salvage. Here's where I am. The motor was not running when it went under, but both batteries fried when they were submerged, along with alot of the wiring. I replaced some of the wiring and got it started up again. I thought it was going to run fine but when I throttled up, it seriously bogged down and started sputtering. I dropped it back to 5 MPH and cruised to the marina at that speed. I've been told by one mechanic, that it is likely a stator issue. I've been told by another mechanic that the stator should be fine and is likely a carb issue. Anyone have any insight? I don't have the equipment to test the stator and don't want to spend $200 if I don't need a new stator. Any advice would be great. Thanks all.

ps... the motor is a 1986 Mercury O/B, 75HP. Don't know much more than that as it was given to me. Thanks again.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Outboard Submerged - Help!!

Hi all...pretty new to this site and could use some help. After a hard rainstorm, I went to check on my boat and found that it went under. The ropes held it from going to the bottom, but the motor did become mostly submerged (the top of the power head was above water). I got the boat out of the water and am now trying to salvage. Here's where I am. The motor was not running when it went under, but both batteries fried when they were submerged, along with alot of the wiring. I replaced some of the wiring and got it started up again. I thought it was going to run fine but when I throttled up, it seriously bogged down and started sputtering. I dropped it back to 5 MPH and cruised to the marina at that speed. I've been told by one mechanic, that it is likely a stator issue. I've been told by another mechanic that the stator should be fine and is likely a carb issue. Anyone have any insight? I don't have the equipment to test the stator and don't want to spend $200 if I don't need a new stator. Any advice would be great. Thanks all.

ps... the motor is a 1986 Mercury O/B, 75HP. Don't know much more than that as it was given to me. Thanks again.

Did it go down in fresh, salt, or brackish water?

Needs to be clean and dry. Fuel system, cleaned out, and filters replaced. Electrical stuff allowed to dry out.

On troubleshooting, you have the choice of haveing a shop work on it, with the costs and risks associated. (some shops are just parts changers.) or you can throw parts at it,(expensive) or you can invest in a little test equipment and a manual and do it yourself, after which you will have the repair done at the least expense, and also the knowledge and equipment to do it again, or for someone else.

hope it helps
John

 

[thimsllib]

Re: Outboard Submerged - Help!!

Thanks... appreciate the advice.