Help, dunked outboard

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jamesgrant

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Not me - I wouldn't do such a thing.

I did laugh. I've just had a call from a friend of a friend.

He is a yachtmaster of some distinction and yet here he is on the Broads, and he has dunked a 'small' 2 stroke Yamaha outboard. He was towing the dinghy with o/b attached - something I never do - and the dinghy flipped.

Anyway, he has tried starting it, it catches, but only for a second and stops. they asked if I knew any remedies. I said plug out etc.

BUT he hasn't any tools to take plug out !!! Hired boat I guess.

Any ideas what he can do to at least get it back to working order? (with no tools)

I suggested pouring fuel in air intake, but he can't get cowling off, I said pour it up exhaust, but he reckons the water will just be like globbules and not come out.

So I've run out of ideas.

Do you have any?
I'm still smirking actually, it does make me laugh. But it would be nice, and superior, to get him out of a fix.
ta
 
Trouble is, if he gets it running and subsequently somebody breaks down and gets washed down the nearest weir, because it required specialist attention, that would not be nice, would it?

It requires a good dry out and checkover by a mechanically minded person.... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Only a big problem if left for any length of time, he must get it running ASAP. If the water was salt or brackish I would get those cowls off and upend it in a tub of fresh water. Towel and dry off (hot sun is perfect), get some lubricant down the plug hole and turn over lots and lots. New plug, fuel and oil and he should be up and running. Fire up at least every day and run for a decent time. Winter draws on - it must be regularly started or come spring it may be a deceased outboard.
 
Nope, that would not be good, I agree. I am assuming he is trying to get it working for the rest of his holiday.

I hope he wouldn't be the sort to hand it back without telling them it's been dunked (I think that is what you are meaning?)

He has a fair bit of cash, so I definately hope he doesn't go that route.

I don't know the Broads, I am also assuming there is not a lot of help around if he can't get his hands on any tools.
 
He hasn't got any tools - can you believe it?

My advice would be total rebuild.

But in his case, only 1st aid I can find on the web is to fill the engine with meths to absorb any water, get it all out, start and run engine under load for 30 mins to heat and dry engine out.

Still requires a rebuild after that in my opinion, but a stop - gap repair.
 
Having once dunked a yamaha 3.5 hp
i had the same issues finally started after draining the fuel trap/bowl re filling tank with fresh fuel and cleaning the points the latter i think was the deciding factor
engine now starts first pull without fail and runs fine.
on a previouse occasion a freinds seagull was immersed for at least 30 mins however after draining the fuel bowl/trap and being left to dry for 40 mins the engine eventually started after what seemed endless pulling, and seemed to run a lot smoother for the experience.
better than my yamaha which had to be attended with tools to clean the points after the breifest of dips in lake windemere.
a testement to the reputation of the good old british seagull.
 
You said it catches for a second. I had the same thing. Pulled it for ages left it kept on trying every half hour and eventually it went. Even it does not start he will be preventing it seizing up. A friend of mine knew some one who ran one for several hours thinking it was dry he left it and then it seized up.
 
I drowned an ancient yamaha 8B in 1988, washed it down with fresh water, got it out once or twice a year since, started second pull. No problems until now, it's still running, but see my ad in 'wanted'.
 
Suzi 2.2, fuel cap closed, fuel tap off, dinghy, tied to back of boat, wind, next morning upside down in oggin!! Took it off, squirted fresh water every where, plug out, WD40 in plug hole loads of times and outside everywhere, turn over again and again for 10 mins, plug in and away she went, ran for 1/2 an hour, still ok 3 months later!!
 
1. don't let it happen again, use a split towline to the transom of the dinghy with a bridle looped to it from the bow - it won't capsize.
2. been in the drink when the dinghy was pooped by a wave. started the o/b immediately and it got us back to the boat because the water in the fuel was still being mixed. In the morning it presented your problems - dump the fuel, and empty the floatbowl. spray all you can reach with WD40. If the plug won't come out you have to cycle the machine manually and suck wd40 into the system. Then refuel and run it - fixed.
 
I will relay info and look forward to results if any.

I will ask my friend to mention to his friend that he should report the engine having received a dunking (in a diplomatic way, so as not offend him incase he was going to do so).

Grateful to you all
 
Always interested in new ideas.
New to me anyway.
Can you describe that one again, please?
I didn't understand the 'split towline'
Or the 'loop a bridle to it' bit
ta
 
I dunked my outboard a few years ago.Left it 'for a minute' propped up against the electricity/water pedestal on the pontoon.Someone ran passed,pontoon vibrated,splash in it went.It was in for about 30mins before I got it out by dragging with the dinghy folding anchor.I put it in the freshwater tank & pulled the handle to draw water through.Took it home & drained fuel & dried it in airing cupboard .Sprayed withWD40 in every hole I could find (especially in top of starter cowl).Kept turning it over with starter cord every day for a couple of weeks.I put in fresh fuel & it started OK & ran bit a bit rough.I cleaned out the carb but I think I damaged the needle.I had the needle replaced & the carb cleaned & it still runs OK.It did have sealed ignition electrics as it was only a year old so this must have helped.I expect it now has a shorter life span but hopefully will keep going for a few years yet.
 
That the motor is turning over is good. When my merc went for a swim it wouldn't budge because of water in the chamber.
Your friend might get away with draining the carb bowl and fuel tank which he should be able to do without tools, then putting fresh fuel in. A liberal dose of WD40 under the starter cowl and check for spark at the HT cable.
 
Just did that in August.

A) open the engine cover
B) uscrew the screw holding the carburettor block to the engine
C) capsize carburettor and unscrew little screw at the bottom (it gets the water out of the little carb tank)
D) liberally spray everything with CRC or WD40
E) take the spark plug out, pull some 20 /30 times the cord in order to have cleaned/dried the engine
F) put everithing back
G) fire the engine.

Cheers
 
Don't know how long is since went in but.... get plug out and drown every thing in water dispersant, both air intake/carby and though plug hole. Turn over by hand or by starter cord (short out the plug lead) until all traces of water have gone. Drain fuel and let whole engine dry. Leave plug out and check for spark when start cord is pulled.(Have plug with lead attached resting against any metal of the engine) If none then more spray and longer drying time. If you get a spark then refill with fuel, replace plug and and try to start. Should go!!! If not then try whole process again.
Of course you do need a plug spanner or any tool to get the plug out cause if there is water in the cylinder and you try to start the motor it is not to good for your pocket or the motor!!!
It's not the end of the world. My 2.5hp motor went under running about 8 years ago and still starts first time and runs well!! after above treatment.
BUT you do have do things quickly. the interior of a 2 stroke does not appreciate being wet with salty water.
 
Wasn't running when it went in - good.
Turns over - so no water in cylinder.
Doesn't run now - either electrics, fuel or both have water.
With no tools, heat and/or air best way to dry the bits you can't get to with rag. WD40 good if available.
If posibility of water in tank, (was vent open) drain and refill.
Drain carb and fuel system would be good. If not possible then keep turning over until motor starts then run for an hour.
Two stroke - good. Fuel/oil vapour will protect crankcase and cylinder as soon as running.
Basically - get it running asap.
 
We had a dinghy with a solid wood transom.(Avon Rover) A line was taken from a ring fitted at each side to form a "V just above the bow. OK so far? The original painter was led from it's fixture on the bow tube and knotted to the "V" leaving a little (6" or so) slack. The result is that all towing pressure is taken by the transom, and the bow is allowed a little play. The dinghy will not "plough" or "fly" and acts as though it's on a flat plane when towed. Even when left tethered to the stern at anchor in a gale, it will not fly around, flip, or self-destruct. We leave the motor mounted all Summer~(tilted for towing of course).
 
Why does it need a rebuild?

I ahave a Tohatsu where the same thing happened about 4 years ago. Got it upright, copious amounts of fresh watyer poured over it, then lots of WD40, plugs out and lots of turning over, some oil in plug holes, replace plugs and it started after a few pulls. Ran it for a good while, more WD40, no problems at all.

Was stored for last two years, came to use it last month, started second pull and ran as sweet as a nut. And I've not even changed the plugs!

The key is to get rid of all the salt as quickly as possible.
 
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