immersed engine

markymarkP · 30 September 2010, 20:41

ok, so this is an 'in theory' question.
just thinking if horror of horrors, the engine ended up in the drink, is there a proceedure to go through to hopefully recover it? or are they considered totalled?

also i presume in freshwater, the damage is not so bad?

just nice to know just in case!!

martini · 30 September 2010, 20:57

If it gets immersed in salt water the first job is to immerse it in fresh water and leave half a day or so. Next step lift it out, remove plugs and turn it over by hand to pump water out the cylinders. Then go down the shop and buy several large cans of wd40 or similar

Poly · 30 September 2010, 21:55

All small engines I've owned have a section in the owners manual which describes what to do in the event of immersion. Its pretty much as Martini suggests (except they usually suggest getting it to a main dealer as soon as possible too!).

The major issue will be if it was still turning when it sucked in water as it doesn't compress and bends bits that shouldn't bend.

Bigmuz7 · 30 September 2010, 22:07

what are we talking 'theory' wise here... a quick dunk of a big un .. or a seagull thats been on the ocean floor all season .. cos that bas**d will still start

.. and on the bright side you can still get reverse

.....

martini · 30 September 2010, 23:30

My experience of larger engines getting dunked are that they can easily be got running again (except newer motors will need new ecu) but best get shot of it asap. It's once the motors dried out that the real problems start. Ignition stator starts corroding, electric motors eg trim pump etc pack up, moisture creeps up the inside of all your wiring insulation causing resistance, bad connections etc. There will always be a tiny bit of salt left in the motor no matter how hard you try, this invariably ends up at the bottom of the powerhead, right where the bottom crank bearing is so that'll start rattling it's head off after a few hours.

You often see motors that got wet for sale, they did this that and the other and it all works fine, bargain? No, you'll pay in the long run

Do I sound slightly bitter there?!

markymarkP · 01 October 2010, 07:00

so out of choice, you would not buy an engine that had been submerged then?

spartacus · 01 October 2010, 07:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by markymarkP

so out of choice, you would not buy an engine that had been submerged then?

Read this. Still makes me smile. http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...covered+engine

lightning · 01 October 2010, 08:12

Shame he never got it finished though! Would have been interesting to see if it would run again.

Cookee · 01 October 2010, 08:15

Speaking as a racer where this does happen, this is usually a result of a boat going over or sinking backside first. The first thing to do is cut the power, 12 volts just makes things worse. With old school motors, drain the carbs, take the plugs out and hose everything down, turn the motor over with lots of water repellent spray - once you've done all that reassemble and get it started.

A mate of mine lost his XR2 in a Scottish loch for a couple of weeks (it was attached to a Phantom 18 at the time) - it was recovered by a fisherman in his nets. The engine was put in a barrel of diesel after removing as many bits as possible and it went on to give lots of good service afterwards!

Solent-Salted · 01 October 2010, 09:01

I've pulled a few engines out of the drink,
left them in fresh water for a while,
stripped them down completely and then rebuilt them (Got to love gasket glue).

Engine fired but I didn't keep them long enough to see if any long term ill effects materialised.

No compliants from the recipients though....

Maybe they went down with all hands.... :/

9D280 · 01 October 2010, 11:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

My experience of larger engines getting dunked are that they can easily be got running again (except newer motors will need new ecu)

Eh? It's a sealed resin filled box so you can't go in & reprogram it!

markymarkP · 01 October 2010, 20:29

so, although damage control is the best way to go, basically the right thing to do would be get shot of it quick after?

RJH · 01 October 2010, 21:46

I was talking about this to a friend last night and I was trying to recall an article I read recently where some magic oil had been used to get a couple of submerged and knackered outboards going. Can't find it anywhere now but sure it was in a boating magazine. Does anybody else read it or did I dream it?

bosun · 01 October 2010, 22:29

We saved an inboard diesel that had been under for a tide (not running when it went in) we hosed it all out with fresh water and then drained and flushed the sump out with diesel a couple of times then filled with new engine oil and a fresh filter,also took the heater plugs out and cranked the seawater out etc,then doused it all in wd40, once it had been running we changed the oil and filter etc again,twice. That was two seasons ago and its still ok.
BUT all the electrics were knackered and had to be replaced including the wiring loom,the alternator was virtually corroding away in front of our eyes.I think the batteries were still connected when it went under.
It wasn't in sand mind you, if it had been I was told it would need a complete strip down and rebuild.

Hightower · 02 October 2010, 12:54

It's not this 60 Mercury that you're interested in, is it?

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome...dea.6558061.jp

martini · 02 October 2010, 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

It's not this 60 Mercury that you're interested in, is it?

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome...dea.6558061.jp

This is why I don't have a tv licence

uncle al · 02 October 2010, 18:08

if the obm in submerged in sea water all the electrics are knackered including any harnesses if the all the electrics are not replaced it will let you down which could be expensive (someone could die worst scenario) if you want to go through starting after submercing ring me monday office hours on 01869 326411

BogMonster · 02 October 2010, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

It's not this 60 Mercury that you're interested in, is it?

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome...dea.6558061.jp

interesting idea - I think they made it out of a frozen pile of woolly mammoth droppings by the colour of it!

HUMBER P4VWL · 02 October 2010, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by markymarkP

so, although damage control is the best way to go, basically the right thing to do would be get shot of it quick after?

If you mean without being clear to the buyer on the history, that depends how you live your life. Not exactly pleasant flogging a screwed engine on to some poor unsuspecting buyer. Best not subscribe to karma.

Though i do know of one person on here who bragged about selling one on quickly after a salty soaking in the past. Suffice to say I have never recommended the business/person.

Personally, fix it up, sell it on, but let the buyer know. Sleep easy from then on.

markymarkP · 03 October 2010, 12:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

If you mean without being clear to the buyer on the history, that depends how you live your life. Not exactly pleasant flogging a screwed engine on to some poor unsuspecting buyer. Best not subscribe to karma.

Though i do know of one person on here who bragged about selling one on quickly after a salty soaking in the past. Suffice to say I have never recommended the business/person.

Personally, fix it up, sell it on, but let the buyer know. Sleep easy from then on.

you misunderstand, my question was in theory, in case it happened etc etc. my engine is thankfully fine, and not been 'under' just thought it good to know what to do if the worst ever happened!
i hope it never happens, great to hear all the advice though. thanks