Water disaster! Help!

[saltymike]

Docked the boat over this past week so I could restore the trailer. Went to check on it today and half of the boat was under water, luckily I came today to check on it or it would've been beyond salvaging. I managed to push it up onto the bank and bail all of the water out. Unfortunately, the gas tank was half full when I docked the boat and now the gauge says the tank is full, so I have a 50/50 water/gas mix going on in there which I don't think a 1987 85 horse Force prefers. Anyway, I'm going to pump everything out of the gas tank tomorrow, I haven't tried to crank the engine since the gas tank got submerged because I don't want to get water in the lines. My questions are do I need to clean out the carbs? Does the fuel line need to be cleaned out even though I haven't turned the engine or pumped the fuel bulb? What else needs to be done to ensure the engine doesn't get water in it? Any tips or secrets to pumping a gas tank dry?

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Water disaster! Help!

Tip the nose of the boat high to drain the boat out. Completely drain the tank and dispose of the water/fuel.

Real question on the motor. Was the power head submerged?
If is wasn't, and nobody pumped the primer bulb or ran the engine with the contaminated fuel, you should be alright there.

Next question, why was the boat sinking?

 

[jaybirddog11]

Re: Water disaster! Help!

How long it was submerged for? How much dirt and grime are inside? Was it fresh water or salt water?
Fresh water-Remove spark plugs and slowly rotate flywheel by hand to remove any and all water inside the crankcase and cylinder. Dry off and re-install spark plugs. Dry off your ignition components and spray with a lubricant and water displacer. Drain fuel lines and carburetor. Clean and flush fuel tank with fresh fuel until all water is removed. Start engine and run for 1 hour or until all parts are thoroughly warmed and remaining water has evaporated from internal parts.
Salt water- Same as fresh water-but upon retrieval immediately flush motor inside and out with fresh water. Spray entire power head with lubricant and water displacer.

This came out of my Chrysler Outboard Service Manual.

 

[saltymike]

Re: Water disaster! Help!

The engine was not actually submerged. It is a bass boat so the waves from the weekend boat traffic came over the back of the boat and brought it under, luckily the dock it was tied to was only 3' deep so the engine stayed afloat. The gas tank/rear half of the boat was submerged for approx. 16 hours, doesn't seem to be any dirt/grime that collected around the gas tank. It was freshwater by the way. The water that is in the gas tank most likely has a good bit of silt/clay in it as the water in that area will stain a white boat in no time. That is my main concern.