Please Help!

[Delta]

We have a 1994 Starcraft, Merc Cruiser inboard. After getting it tuned up at a marine last week,we took it out yesterday and found out the marine forgot to put the water plugs back in it. We took in alot of water and the engine won't start. What should we do?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Please Help!

What plugs did they take out for a tune up? How much water got in the boat?
Does it turn over and not fire? Need more info...

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Please Help!

I would take it back to em.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Please Help!

I'd be calling the marina back and ask them "What are they going to do about it". since it was their fault!!!!

 

[Don S]

Re: Please Help!

I'd be calling the marina back and ask them "What are they going to do about it". since it was their fault!!!!

Why do you say it's their fault. Perhaps it was the Garboard drain plug that was removed, as it should be so the boat doesn't fill up with rain water.
If it was engine plugs, perhaps they drained the engine to keep it from freezing????? Who knows where this boat is. I don't.

Doesn't anybody ever open the engine hatch and LOOK anymore??? When I launch a boat, it's just normal to open the hatch look and listen for leaks, start the engine and see that all is well before taking off.
Auto bilge pumps are fairly common and prevents problems like that from happening also.

Just don't go assuming blame on anyone unless you know all the details.

 

[Delta]

Re: Please Help!

Yes, it was the garboard drain plug that was not put back in before taking the boat out in water. My question is do you think the engine is ruined from water. It almost turns over when we try to start it. Should we be changing the oil etc?

 

[Don S]

Re: Please Help!

It's hard to give any answers without any information.
How deep did the water get on the engine? What engine do you have? Did you check the oil???? Was it overfull????
Did you pull the spark plugs out and see if there was water in the cylinders.
Have you ever worked on an engine before?

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Please Help!

Well Don as we both know there are lots of people out there today that take out their drain plugs and forget to put them back in but since you are in the business, what if you had removed someone's drain plug while working on the boat and forgot to put it back in and they launched the boat not checking the plug because it was in when they gave it to you and the boat sank..legally who's fault would that be?

 

[Don S]

Re: Please Help!

I'm not a lawyer, but if you can't check to be sure your drain plug is in before you launch your boat. Then you shouldn't be boating.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Please Help!

I don't disagree with that statement but I think the marina should be contacted, explain the situation and give them the opportunity to make things right before the owner starts doing anything on his own.

 

[bhdau1]

Re: Please Help!

Drain every drop of oil out of it, change filter, refill, and change the plugs. Not a big deal unless you ruined the piston rings and oil pump. The marina probably will tell you to pound sand... They will say they removed it to protect your boat from filling with rain water. Im no lawyer but I would say that they arent responsible unless it was already in the water when you drove it away from the dock. One of my friends just had his truck engine seize b/c valvoline forgot to install the drain plug in the oil pan or only partially screwed it back in and it worked its way out. They protect mechanics/ grease monkeys because anyone could go get their oil changed, remove the plug, blow the engine, and legally force the oil change place to put a new motor in it. Oh yeah, this is only b/c don s taught me a bunch about electronic in boats; CHECK ALL THE FUSES! many of them are probably blown from shorting out from the water.

 

[bhdau1]

Re: Please Help!

One more thing, before you drain the oil, pull the plugs out all the way around and turn over the motor a few times. This will shoot any water out of the cylinders that may be in there. That and leave them out after you drain the oil out so the chanbers can dry out any moisture in there. ( And dont try and look down in the spark plug hole while you are doing it. Did that like a dummy the first time I submarined my fourwheeler. Ouch!)

 

[DukesFin]

Re: Please Help!

Why in the world would or should you contact a marina or mechanic because YOU did not put your drain plug in?

I'm with Don on this one guys (and gals)...

First thing I do before I back down the ramp is to install and double check the integrity of my plug. Once my lower unit is in the water, I crank the motor and then check my engine block drains to be sure they are not leaking as well.

Sorry, but I see it as MY responsibility to check out my boat before I drop it in the water...

If I were a mechanic and someone asked me "What are you going to do about my boat almost sinking because you didn't put my drain plug in for me?", my reply would be:

"Go take a boater's safety course and learn just how many other people forget to put their drain plugs in too."

Am I missing something in this thread or am I just being a jerk? I'm not trying to be rude, but unless I'm missing something, it seems pretty common-sense to me...

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Please Help!

Why in the world would or should you contact a marina or mechanic because YOU did not put your drain plug in?

Am I missing something in this thread or am I just being a jerk? I'm not trying to be rude, but unless I'm missing something, it seems pretty common-sense to me...

I only suggested this because it was the Marina that removed it in the first place, maybe you missed that. I know it's everyone's responsibility to check things like this but some people expect things to be returned to them as they were initially.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Please Help!

Just a note in defense of the original post. He's already clarified what he meant when he asked, "What should I do?" His second post asks, "My question is do you think the engine is ruined from water."

Notice nowhere is he asking about his legal options, nor is he blaming the marina. Most mortals forget things from time to time. It's easy to overlook the plug - especially if you didn't remove it. Most of us have done things we look back on and say, "I'm glad that didn't turn out worse - I guess I better do it differently next time."

As to your question of the enigne. I too would change the oil and remove the plugs and turn the engine over. Also remove the distributor cap and be sure it is completely dry inside.

Oh yeah, get together a check list of things to check before launching the boat - including, but not limited to, making sure the plug is in!

 

[thrasher]

Re: Please Help!

I am still waiting to hear how deep the water got? It's great you all telling him what a ninkompoop he is for not checking the drain (we all make mistakes), but that is not the question he is asking.
You are all saying change the oil, but unless the water got very deep, there will be no water in the oil. I think before suggesting anything we should get an answer to the question how much water came into the boat? What level on the motor did the water reach? Then we can give more specific answers? Otherwise, we must assume the motor was completely submerged and the list of things to check/change will be much longer than just the oil.

Gary

 

[jontoronto27]

Re: Please Help!

I think you may have waterlogged the starter. Unless the water went over the gunwales of the boat in that case (depending on it's size obviously) the boat would have sunk. In most cases you're not going to get water in the engine until the water was very high on the motor, by that time the water would have damaged, but not limited to, power trim/tilt motors, starters, ignition, your battery, you may have blow some fuses as well. The list goes on. Hope it works out for ya.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Please Help!

I don't think it was the marina's fault and it doesn't seem like the poster is blaming them either.

If the water reached the starter, I would be pulling it.

I would also pull the plugs and change the oil if it looks like there is water in the oil(could get in through rear seal).

Hopefully, the engine wouldn't start because of so much water in there and it will start after you dry everything out.

 

[Dakota47]

Re: Please Help!

Its totally your own fault, all drain plugs are removed as soon as boat is out of water, every marina does it. mine included. they took my plug out last week while the fixed the shift cables. when i went to launch the boat i did a look around everything(check oil-check fan belts and did a walk around and put in the DRAIN PLUG. it that easy. you never leave a drain plug in when boat is out of water(rain will get in & not drain) im guessing you engine is history due to the fact that it was engulfed in water.

 

[thrasher]

Re: Please Help!

We still haven't had an answer as to the water level, but now Dakota says the motor is engulfed in water!! I can't help but laugh!!
Unless the original poster (Delta) tells us what level the water got to on the engine. no-one can give a reasonable answer!!
I think the Ball is in Delta's corner..

Gary