Water damage to 1993 4.3L Mercruiser engine after partial submersion

[TheRussian]

Hello,

As a new boat owner I finally made the mistake of forgetting the drain plug out and launched the boat into the water. Unfortunately the engine was approximately 2/3 way submerged by the time that I came back to the dock and got into the boat. (What a great day!)

After getting all the water out of the bilge and then dropping to the floor, rolling up into fetal position in the corner and crying like a little child, my engine will no longer start. I can hear the starter spinning but I am guessing that is won't engage the flywheel. I am planning on buying a new starter and replacing it myself. My question is regarding everything else in the engine that may be damaged. I would appreciate any input on what to check for (and how to do it). I am hoping that the damage is limited to the starter and I will not need to rebuilt the whole engine.

Thanks guys!

 

[slothman]

Re: Water damage to 1993 4.3L Mercruiser engine after partial submersion

#1) STOP cranking it over
#2) take out all of the spark plugs
#3) crank the **** out of it, until all of the water drains from the cylinders

 

[Chef Shawn]

Re: Water damage to 1993 4.3L Mercruiser engine after partial submersion

Drain and replace oil. Pull plugs. Did water make it to the ignition system (coil, distributor,etc)? If so, pull everything and let it dry out (wires, cap, etc.). If the starter was underwater and you cranked it before it dried out, yes its toast (take it to a auto store and have them test it to make sure). Cross your fingers.

Also, get a small piece of chain and a clip. Attach it to the front winch point on the boat, then attach the drain plug. You'll never unhook the rope again without looking at the drain plug.

Best of luck.

 

[ponchoman]

Re: Water damage to 1993 4.3L Mercruiser engine after partial submersion

You might wanna pull the drive and see if the water made it into the driveshaft bellows. It will make its way into the outdrive and could cause damage. Happened to me. My shift cable bellows leaked and filled the boat same as you.

 

[TheRussian]

Re: Water damage to 1993 4.3L Mercruiser engine after partial submersion

Thanks for all the info...

Just a few questions... How important is it to pull the outdrive. It is definitely a large addition to the workload that I have to undertake already.
Should I change the main engine oil, outdrive oil or both? Will checking the dipstick be sufficient?

I will pull the plugs tomorrow and check the destributor because it is midnight right now. I will attempt to take off the starter but may have to wait a day to get the time. When I pull the plugs how long should I keep them out? And at what point after replacing the starter can I attempt to crank the engine.

Undortunatly what also happened is that I had run the engine submersed in water for some time (following a friend's advice). During that time the boat did run but appeared to have a significat decrease in power. How F'ed am I now?

 

[achris]

Re: Water damage to 1993 4.3L Mercruiser engine after partial submersion

How high up the engine (exactly) did the water get? If it only got to the line of the oil pan, then you should be ok. If it got higher, then you do need to remove the drive and check for water in the bellows. I suspect the reason for the start no longer working is because it's lower than the cankcase/oil pan gasket and will have flooded. Pull the starter and have an auto-electrican look at it. It's far better to have that one repaired than buying a cheap, nasty Chinese replacement....

As for oil changes... I wouldn't bother. If all the gaskets are good, the only place water would have gotten in the engine is through the rocker covers, and I don't think the water got that high, did it?

You need to get the starter working before doing anything else.

Find a new friend... Why on earth would anyone run an engine submerged???? :facepalm:

Chris......

 

[TheRussian]

Re: Water damage to 1993 4.3L Mercruiser engine after partial submersion

Thanks for the reply Chris.

Since I was in extreme panic I cannot really ell you how high the water level was, but it was definitely higher than the oil pan level... much higher

 

[DAN M VAGOS]

Re: Water damage to 1993 4.3L Mercruiser engine after partial submersion

I did the same thing so don't feel bad it will be ok just do all the things the guys on here told you.

 

[TheRussian]

Re: Water damage to 1993 4.3L Mercruiser engine after partial submersion

Just took off the starter and had it checked at a specialist. It appears that there was no point in rebuilding it so I purchaced a new one and installed it. Spark plugs are out - not sure what I am looking for but will probably replace out of principal.

Is there any way that I can check for water in the bellows without taking the outdrive off? Or if there is water there to drain it without taking it off? I am a little worried that this project may be quite large for me and I will not have the time to do it soon. I still want to take the boat out in the near future if the engine runs after what I have done so far, but I guess running the outdrive with water in bellows is a no-no?

 

[TheRussian]

Possible water in bellows, bellows intact

Possible water in bellows, bellows intact

Hello,

This is a second thread to get some opinions on getting my boat running again after forgetting the drain plug and almost sinking my 1993 4.3 Merc Alpha 1 Gen 2.

Due to the water level in the engine compartment (don't know exact level but I was suprised that the boat stayed above water) and other fellow boaters' comments I suspect that the bellows are full of water.

I want to avoid pulling out the outdrive at all costs this season. This is my first season with my first boat (hence the f-up with the plug) and I was going to service it next year (bellows and gimbal replacement). Is there any way at all to confirm water in the bellows and if there is any to remove it without taking off the outdrive? Parking on a decline? Use an oil pump from the inside of the hull? Pray that is just disappears? Anything?

Thanks!

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Water damage to 1993 4.3L Mercruiser engine after partial submersion

Once the starter is reinstalled crank the engine with the plugs out and see if anything comes out of the holes. If they are dry install the new plugs or reuse the old ones. If it still wont run on the muffs your ignition parts got wet and need to be dried out. If you ran it in the water check the engine oil and make sure it is not light brown colored if it is change it if not it is fine. You need to pull the drive to check for water in the bellows to prevent future issues. The water will rust and damage the ujoint and gimbal bearing which cost a few hundred to replace pulling the drive only costs a gasket set. Also check the drive oil for water. Best to just change it as you should do it once per year anyway.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Possible water in bellows, bellows intact

Re: Possible water in bellows, bellows intact

Hello,

This is a second thread to get some opinions on getting my boat running again after forgetting the drain plug and almost sinking my 1993 4.3 Merc Alpha 1 Gen 2.

Due to the water level in the engine compartment (don't know exact level but I was suprised that the boat stayed above water) and other fellow boaters' comments I suspect that the bellows are full of water.

I want to avoid pulling out the outdrive at all costs this season. This is my first season with my first boat (hence the f-up with the plug) and I was going to service it next year (bellows and gimbal replacement). Is there any way at all to confirm water in the bellows and if there is any to remove it without taking off the outdrive? Parking on a decline? Use an oil pump from the inside of the hull? Pray that is just disappears? Anything?

Thanks!

Ayuh,.... It's a 10 minute job, 'n a $6. gasket set,....

Pull the drive, or yer gimbel bearin' will be Junk, by the time ya get 'round to it,....

'n there's No reason for a 2nd thread, yer gettin' Great traffic in the 1st 1, which is where this 1 is goin',....

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Water damage to 1993 4.3L Mercruiser engine after partial submersion

Recommend a automatic float switch be installed.

 

[Volphin]

Re: Water damage to 1993 4.3L Mercruiser engine after partial submersion

I agree with Bond-o, pull that out drive. It's very easy to do, and WAY less expensive than a gimbal bearing replacement. Also be aware that water in the carb will not only cause a no start/poor running situation, but will rust a few key items within it. (Ask me how I know! LOL)
Remove the water from the carb by unbolting it from the intake manifold and inverting it. It will all drain out. I'm hoping the water did not get that high though!

 

[TheRussian]

Re: Water damage to 1993 4.3L Mercruiser engine after partial submersion

First let me apologize for starting a second thread. I am fairly new posting in forums, I only used to read them before. I am amazed at the amount of great people that are willing to give up their time to help others out!

Bond-o, is this procedure any different from bellows replacement? Because that does not appear to be a "10 minute job" from what I have read! Will a Solec manual be helpful? I also know a licensed mechanic that is willing to do work on the side, should I just contact him?

Volphin, I don't believe that my carb was under water... at least I hope not. I will have to check and follow your instructions

Bt Doctur, I am buying a higher output bilge pump, a float swith and a freaking one way drain plug! I know this is porbably an overkill but I don't EVER want to have that sinking (no pun intended) feeling that I had yesterday!

Also, is there any way to confirm if there is any water in the cylinders or should I not worry about that?

 

[TheRussian]

Re: Water damage to 1993 4.3L Mercruiser engine after partial submersion

So... following spdracr39's advice I attempted to crank the engine with the new starter in and the plugs out. The starter spins very well, the engine won't turn over. Is this supposed to happen with the plugs out or do I have to check something else now.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Water damage to 1993 4.3L Mercruiser engine after partial submersion

So... following spdracr39's advice I attempted to crank the engine with the new starter in and the plugs out. The starter spins very well, the engine won't turn over. Is this supposed to happen with the plugs out or do I have to check something else now.

Ayuh,.... Is the new starter, Exactly like the old starter that went swimmin',..??

If so, I'm guessin' ya hooked the wires up wrong,....

Forget the Seloc manual, 'n go up to the Adults Only section at the top of this forum,...
Follow the links in there to the Factory manuals for yer motor, 'n drive,...

Pullin' the drive is 6 nuts, 'n the trim pin,...
No, not nearly like changin' the bellows,...

 

[TheRussian]

Re: Water damage to 1993 4.3L Mercruiser engine after partial submersion

Bond-o, I think that I have the wires right, I took a picture before disconnecting. But I will double check. If the wiring was wrong, would it still spin?

It was a guy at the repair shop that gave me a new one, I took the old one in with me. So I am assuming that it is the right part.

 

[slothman]

Re: Water damage to 1993 4.3L Mercruiser engine after partial submersion

Is the starting making any noises at all ? You could have gotten a bad starter, or the wrong one as stated.

you really need to get her cranking over to spit out the water inside the cylinders. I'm sure it's there.

 

[TheRussian]

Re: Water damage to 1993 4.3L Mercruiser engine after partial submersion

The only noise coming out is an electrical motor spinning, which I would presume is the starter. There is absolutely no sound of the engine even attempting to turn over. I have spoken the the guy that sold me the new starter and he offered to test it out and replace it if needed. YAY I get to take it out again... because they put them in such convenient places with ample room to use ratchets! Is there any chance that it is the slave solenoid (don't know what that is, just read something on a different forum)?