submerged engine won't start

[woody181]

My 1987 88 horse Evinrude was submerged in salt water for 5 days. Once I got the boat out of the water I completely rinsed with water. We removed the plugs and turned the flywheel to remove as much water as possible. We layed the motor on its side with plug holes down to drain remainder and poured in Marvel Magic oil while turning fly wheel. After putting engine back on boat and putting in new plugs and draining fuel hoses we attempted to start it. It never came close to starting. We then realized that we never drained the bowls in the carborators. We opened the screws and drained and flushed with fresh gas. After putting screws back in the engine still did not start. We checked for spark. There was spark, but not sure how strong it was since I did not hold the plug to the block. I cupped it in my hand and saw an orange spark which gave me a small jolt.<br /><br />Did I mess up the engine any further by trying to start it without removing the water from the carbs first?<br /><br />Is there anything in the ignition switch which could keep it from starting even though the starter seemed to be turning the flywheel fine?<br /><br />Sice we never got it started and now will not get back to it for maybe a few weeks is the engine history? My family does not want to use the insurance money to attempt to fix the engine professionally since they fear we will have constant problems. <br /><br />Any suggestions?

 

[Rudderman]

Re: submerged engine won't start

If you have spark and there is fuel getting to the plugs, I don't see why it wouldn't at least attempt to fire. I only dunked an engine once, and after i used an entire can of wd40 to dewater everything, it started on the first try. <br />If it was me, I would disassemble the carbs and blow it all out with an air compressor, then spray it with wd40 and blow it again. Check the condition of the plugs after you try to start it...are they wet with water or wet with fuel? There may be still some water lurking in the cylinders. It would be no harm to use brand new plugs and fresh fuel.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: submerged engine won't start

Woody, Salt Water is exceptionally bad for a motor. Not only does salt get into the motor, sometimes silt gets in as well. The best thing to do it to disassemble the motor and clean all bearings. crank and pistons in gas/oil mix, and scrub the block with fresh water and soap, and then oil it up with 2 cycle oil. Now reassemble everything and try to find the problem causing the weak spark. Also, disassemble and clean the starter and distributor, if you have one.<br /><br />Salt water will "rot" any connection or exposed metal with voltage on it. Check the "always hot" elecrtrical connections on the motor for corrosion, as well as the battery cables etc.<br /><br />I once dunked my Johnson 50HP V4 in the saltwater for 60 hours. After cleaning it up, it ran just the same. That motor however, was low tech and tough as nails. Good luck

 

[jim dozier]

Re: submerged engine won't start

If the motor was submerged in salt water for 5 days I predict that the con rod and wrist pin bearings will have pitted. Not to mention all of the eletricals which will have to be replaced. I think the motor is toast. Part it out on Ebay for the lower unit and castings.

 

[JB]

Re: submerged engine won't start

Evinrude Trouble

 

[russeller]

Re: submerged engine won't start

what does submerged mean ? fully in the water like not beable to see the motor

 

[Walker]

Re: submerged engine won't start

Yes, like in "submarine," but submarines don't use outboards.