Risk of outboard exhaust water getting into engine.

[driver0606]

Hello,
I have a 1989 Evinrude 9.9 and am concerned about residual water in the exhaust getting into the engine and damaging it when put down horizontally. This seems unlikely as if it is put on the ground with the controls upward, which seems to be normal handling, the engine is indeed horizontal. However, does anybody actually know, please?
Thank you for any advice.
John.

 

[spannerman]

Hi John, all outboards empty their cooling water straight into the vertical section of the leg, so as soon as you lift it from the water it drains down, there will only be a slight dribble for a few minutes then it will stop. If you place it as stated then the water in the lower gear housing will also run out. There may be some water in the tube from the pump up to the block but this will find its way out if the engine block is higher than the gearbox, it doesn't seem to cause a problem on the hundreds of thousands of outboards out there.

 

[[2068]]

Engines don't like to be upside down, but flat, or propeller-lower-than-powerhead will be fine.
The water pickup tube is only connected to the water jacket, which gets wet anyway, and as above, the exhaust should drain pretty quickly.

 

[driver0606]

Many thanks for your replies, they have set my mind at rest. John.