Water in the engine question

[TBarCYa]

If you had an engine that you knew was under water (fire department water, not the lake) and you promised your wife you'd make a real attempt to save it, how would you go about it?

My plan is to drain the oil/water, change the filter and fill her to the top with diesel fuel. That should push all of the water to the bottom of the pan and the solvent in the diesel will hopefully break down the sludge caused by mixing oil and water. In theory it would also lubricate everything it touches as it displaces the water. I figure I'll do this as many times as is necessary until I don't get any water out and the dipstick comes out clean. Other than replace the engine (which I'm going to do once this doesn't work) any other suggestions?

 

[hoowahfun]

How long was it "under water"? Motor specs? Rust? Pics?

Personally, I would skip the diesel step. Seems like it would be a mess and not sure how you fill an engine up like that. Would have to let it sit for a while to let the water/diesel separate out.

Just make sure your cylinders are as dry as can be and everything rotates freely. Maybe pull the plugs and blow out the cylinders with compressed air, then pour a little lightweight oil or kerosene (maybe even diesel) in each cylinder and let it sit for a couple days, while trying to rotate the engine by hand a couple of times. Then change your oil and run it for a bit at idle. Check the oil and if it's milky/dirty change it again until it looks okay.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[H20Rat]

The part you left out, timeframe, is everything... If it has rusted, you can do all the treatments you want, doesn't change the fact your bearings are shot and a teardown is needed.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... I answered yer post over at that other boatin' forum,....

Pretty much like hoowahfun says,....

 

[Scott Danforth]

If you had an engine that you knew was under water (fire department water, not the lake) and you promised your wife you'd make a real attempt to save it, how would you go about it?

My plan is to drain the oil/water, change the filter and fill her to the top with diesel fuel. That should push all of the water to the bottom of the pan and the solvent in the diesel will hopefully break down the sludge caused by mixing oil and water. In theory it would also lubricate everything it touches as it displaces the water. I figure I'll do this as many times as is necessary until I don't get any water out and the dipstick comes out clean. Other than replace the engine (which I'm going to do once this doesn't work) any other suggestions?

since the water was in the motor for more than a few days, you pull the motor, pull the heads and pan off AND LOOK

if there is no rust, invest in a gasket set, a timing set and put the motor back together

If there is any rust on the crank, or in the bores, load it up in the truck and take it to the machine shop. at that point you can save the block and heads, however rust has gotten to everything and soaking in oil wont un-rust things. buy a new rotating assembly (crank, rods, pistons) upgrade to coated bearings, buy new cam, timing set etc.

 

[TBarCYa]

Sorry I haven't responded in a bit... For some reason I'm not getting email notifications of replies...

Bondo, what forum was that? I am on so many I lose track. Hahaha

The engine was under water for 6 weeks. I haven't started looking into it yet but plan to start pretty soon. I'm fairly certain that if I have to get the engine out of the hull that it'll get replaced with a rebuilt long block. I'll start pulling stuff apart and see what it looks like this week but my wife has higher hopes for this thing than I do.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... marineengines,....

If that motor was underwater for 6 weeks, it's an anchor now, not a motor,.....

 

[hoowahfun]

The engine was under water for 6 weeks.

Yikes. Not good, especially if it's been exposed to the air since then. You could try to start it just for giggles as a fun experiment, but wouldn't really trust it too much even if it did run. Probably just best for scrap now.

 

[Scott Danforth]

The engine was under water for 6 weeks.

If it was 2-3 days, you could save it

However at 6 weeks, your engine is toast. At best you have a set ov accessory brackets, pulleys, valve covers and a flywheel. The block and heads are cores

 

[dollar7499]

Hmm... under fire department water, not lake water, for 6 weeks... does that mean the fire department sprayed the outside with a hose 6 weeks ago? Or that the FD filled the bilge with water and it has been immersed for 6 weeks? Why the vagueness?

 

[TBarCYa]

Not trying to be vague... The fire department filled the boat with water and the previous owner left it that way for 6 weeks. I've been trying to pump the sludge left behind out for 2 weeks now and can't find a tube that is small enough to fit down the dipstick hole but has a big enough inner diameter to suck any of the sludge out. Probably going to have to bite the bullet and pull the engine.

 

[NatedoggAZ]

Did the previous owner have insurance? Does the fire department owe them anything - was it a mistake?

 

[Bondo]

Probably going to have to bite the bullet and pull the engine.

Ayuh,.... I'd Start there,....

 

[rickasbury]

maybe a really cool coffee table?

 

[TBarCYa]

Did the previous owner have insurance? Does the fire department owe them anything - was it a mistake?

No insurance and since the FD was putting out a fire on the boat, it's typically what they do. Considering that most of the fire is between the hull and the sole / deck I'd say it's probably a good thing they did to get the whole fire out.