My outboard went swimming today

[crazy4557]

I have a Tohatsu 4hp two stroke from 2008 that went scuba diving yesterday When I recovered it this evening I removed the spark plug and out poured a load of water.
I've first -aided it but is it worth having rebuilt? I guess it's worth about £350 but how much will it cost to rebuild and will it ever run the same?
I don't have the time to do this myself so would need to pay to do the work.

Would you fix it or break it for bits?

 

[Divemaster1]

I'd dunk it in fresh water, clear out, then loads of penetrating oil... 2stroke oil in cylinder ... pull starter to ensure lubricated piston & rings.... re-assemble and try to get started... if it runs, then it may be OK for a while (have had dunked engines that ran for 5 years + after dunking)... not worth re-building IMHO..

 

[longjohnsilver]

Wash it with plenty of fresh water then give it a good coating of WD40 with lots in through the plug hole, keep on turning it over with oil being blown out. Will probably be as good as it was before. Half an hours work should see it back into life.

 

[volvopaul]

Andy, just hose it down with fresh water, let it dry out then spray engine with wd40 or similar, drain the oil and fill with new, fit a new spark plug and hopefully all should be ok, I know waters got into its ignition but you might just be lucky, the quicker you first aid it the better!!!!

 

[Who]

Get it running within 48hrs. I.e. full working temperature to burn off any water and condensation. It will be fine.

Leave it for a few days and there will be rust etc inside. Then it's scrap.

 

[hector]

Dropped my 4hp Honda in the drink at Bembridge, brand new fresh out the box (don't ask!) water was high tide. It stayed there all night till I got a diver the next day. Read the handbook said change the oil 4 times till when started it ran clear, loads wd40.
That was 8 years ago, still starts first pull.

 

[spannerman]

I have given 'first aid' to dozens of drowned outboards and the golden rule is, if you can't get it to a workshop with an hour or so then keep it submersed, either where it is or in a tub of fresh water.
When you can get it to a workshop do it quickly as the enemy is oxygen and salt water, the roller bearings on the crank will rust within hours and then its a big job.
We often had customers rushing in with a dripping outboard and if we didn't have time we'd just lower it into our outboard test tank much to their horror having just got it out of the water! Don't worry it will be fine we assured them, the next day it was out with the plug, blow out the water, drain the carb, and pull it over until all the water is out, blow it off with an airline, drown it with WD40, get it started and let it run under load for at least an hour with a double mix of oil in the petrol. Fourstrokes are a bit more involved as you have to change the oil several times.
Also we change the gear oil as if its been down a few meters the seals can let water in from the pressure.

 

[VicS]

Eventually the salt will get at something.......part of the electrical system most likely ..... unless very thoroughly washed away.

Recommend procedure is to submerge completely in fresh water as soon as it is recovered.

 

[crazy4557]

Hi Guys,

I followed your advice and instructions and hey presto it fired up on first pull.

Washed it all down and then drowned it in WD40 and filled the bores with two stroke oil so it smoked a bit but runs fine. Left it running under load for a while in the wheelie bin and will now give a good thrashing up the river. That'll serve it right for trying to retire early
Thanks for all your good tips.