Submerged 4.3 mercruiser Alpha

[jetsetc5b]

Motor submergegd in fresh water for approx. 2 days. No battery was installed. I pulled the plugs and drained the oil. Dried starter, alternator , drained oil and poured some diesel down the intake then motored the engine over. Installed plugs and cleaned carb. Emptied fuel tank and cleaned fuel filiter. Drained power trim and reserviced. Blew out distributor with compressed air and sprayed wd-40 on pickup. What else do I need to before I try to start it?

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Submerged 4.3 mercruiser Alpha

I'd start it sooner, rather than later. If there's residual water in the engine, you're more likely going to introduce rust to it.

If it were me, I'd fire it ASAP. Let it run up to operating temp for a while, then change the oil one more time.

Your trim oil and power steering fluid will probably need flushing as well...

 

[mstevens]

Re: Submerged 4.3 mercruiser Alpha

Sorry to hear about this. I did the same thing on mine 2 weekends ago. I was told to pull the sterndrive, to empty the bellows and grease the u joint and gimbal area. You can see my post as Swamped 97 Glastron.... I was fortunate, only under water for 2 hours and no water in my oil or fuel system(as far as I can tell). I have been told to replace the starter, alternator, and power trim. Let me know what happens for you.

 

[jetsetc5b]

Re: Submerged 4.3 mercruiser Alpha

Yes, I read your post previously and when I disassemblied the starter it cleaned right up. I also have been told to check the bellows for water. I will start it up asap so that the heat will vaporize any residul water. Then I will drain the oil and reservice. I guess my only question is about the electronic ignition parts. I blew them dry with compressed air and I hope they work. I still have to flush the power trim. I appreciate the posts. Im wondering if any potential water in the bellows area will effect the running of the engine?

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Submerged 4.3 mercruiser Alpha

If the water has been allowed to sit, it's possible to seize a gimbal bearing and/or U-Joints. You should pull the drive and inspect those, and get the water out before starting the engine. If you have a grease fitting for your gimbal bearing, I'd give it LOTS of fresh grease, to squeeze out any water that might have gotten in there.

If you get it early enough, you might save the joints and gimbal bearing, but you may end up replacing them a few months down the road...

Time is of the essence!

 

[jetsetc5b]

Re: Submerged 4.3 mercruiser Alpha

I called a local shop and the mechanic told me to check the Lower unit boots for any damage that may have been caused by muskrats. Sure enough, they had eaten thru the linkage boot and chewed thru the trim sensor cable. This is what caused the boat to sink. I removed the Lwr unit and drained any water and dryed the u joints. I will now replace the boot. Other than that he suggested to open the carb and dry it. He says the water will not all drain out if it is turned upside down. I must open the float bowl and dry it. He said to drain as much of the fuel tank then add sea foam and fill the tank. And his final advise "Never leave a boat tied up at a dock with the tilt up." This exposes the rubber boots to the muskrats and they love rubber! Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[danond]

Re: Submerged 4.3 mercruiser Alpha

Good God. That's some very weird, and very useful advice.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Submerged 4.3 mercruiser Alpha

You should start the engine ASAP........and bring it up to temp...............this will help burn the water out..................the main objective should be engine salvage.........pull the drive if need be...............but run the engine.