What to do after nearly sunk?

[Merccoper]

i did a dumb move. Pulled the boat about a month ago with the intention of going back the next weekend to close up. Problem is that I left the front bimini with off, the drain plug in and didn’t come back for a month. A total n of rain later and the engine compartment is flooded more than half way up then engine. What steps should I take to check for damage?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Define more that 1/2 way up
To the middle of the front balancer? Then pull the drive and drain the engine oil pan BEFORE starting to check for water in the oil

 

[Walt T]

Probably gonna need a new starter too

 

[Merccoper]

Define more that 1/2 way up
To the middle of the front balancer? Then pull the drive and drain the engine oil pan BEFORE starting to check for water in the oil

The water was up to just below the alternator.
The trim motor and reservoir was also underwater.

Oh, I didn't mention, it is a 4.3 Mercruiser.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Without running the trim motor , remove the oil with a hand pump or turkey baster, then refill
Definitely remove the engine oil first and then the outdrive , grease the gimbal bearing , Drain and refill outdrive
Plan on replacing the battery cables and starter and possibly the trim motor and battery if it was under water

 

[Merccoper]

Without running the trim motor , remove the oil with a hand pump or turkey baster, then refill
Definitely remove the engine oil first and then the outdrive , grease the gimbal bearing , Drain and refill outdrive
Plan on replacing the battery cables and starter and possibly the trim motor and battery if it was under water

Thanks Doctur.

I had to run the trim (a day after draining the water) to raise the outdrive for transportation.:embarassed:

Most advice I see is to run the engine to warm the engine before doing the oil change. I'm guessing it isn't recommended this case ?

 

[achris]

DO NOT run the engine first.... You want to get the oil/water out of the sump before you start pumping it around the engine...

 

[Ed Harris]

This happened to a friend of mine while he was getting some glass work done but I dont thing his got that high. It did cover his starter though. He drained it and charged the battery and it cranked right up. Maybe all is not lost.

 

[andrewterri]

This happened to me but only at the lake during a freak storm. pulled the boat on shore and slept in the car with my wife. Came out in the morning and water was up to the alternator. I did what is listed above and I ran the same starter for 4 years until selling the boat, sometimes you get lucky. If you do what everyone says I bet you will be okay. Many people have done this before, it happens. You should install an auto bilge hardwired in.

 

[jimmbo]

When my starter got a bath, I had the starter removed and taken to a rebuilder for a cleaning and lube. 15 seasons later it is still cranking fine.
No water entered the Power Trim reservoir, so it wasn't messed with

 

[Scott Danforth]

you can pull the starter apart, use WD40 and make sure its dry, then re-assemble to save the starter.

the cables are going to be junk

pull the drive to get the water out of the bellows Bt Doc mentioned

 

[RaceCarRich]

Long shot but wonder if falls under insurance?

On my last boat, had similar incidents caused by drain hole getting clogged with splinters (starter boat in rough shape) but water only got to around or perhaps just below oil pan rail. Greased starter internals and was fine. Yours seems far worse.

 

[andrewterri]

Probably would be covered under insurance but I don't personally think it is worth the claim and increased rates for simple checks/repair's the owner can do.

 

[Merccoper]

Thanks for the input everyone. I think my plan of attack will be:

1. Change the oil and oil filter (I've started that now, but the draining of the oil is slow due to the cold temps (I've got flood lights in the engine compartment now)
2. Drain and replace the trim oil (I lowered and raised the outdrive once after it being flooded)
3. Drain and replace the outdrive oil
4. Replace the bellows (they are looking tired) and grease the gimbal bearing (this was replaced last year)
5. Remove the starter and have it tested (replace if needed)
6. Inspect and replace battery cables

Does that sound like everything is covered?

 

[JASinIL2006]

You may need to do more than drain and replace the fluid in the trim reservoir. If water is further into the system, you might need to do a full purge. You'll know if this is needed after you replace the trim fluid and run the drive up and down a few times. If the fluid becomes milky or foamy, you probably ought to purge the system completely.