|
Kerplunk-
Submerged Outboards
by Tom Neale
If you’ve dropped an outboard, it’ll make a difference as to whether
it
was running at the time. If it was, it will probably have
sucked water
into the cylinders and carburetor. It may have even bent a
rod, but this
isn’t likely. You may need to remove the head—a
job usually best left
for someone at a shop. If you know you can’t get it to
the shop anytime
soon, proceed on anyway. If it wasn’t running, the cylinders
may not
have gotten any (or much) water inside, especially if you
retrieved it
right away. In this event, frequently all you need to do with
regard to
the cylinders after washing the outside with fresh water is
to remove the
plugs, make sure there is no water inside, spray a lot of
CRC 6-56 or
similar lubrication inside and slowly pull the starting cord
(gas
disconnected) to move and lube the pistons. If there is water
inside,
spray in the lubricant and pull the starting cord (with the
plugs removed
and gas disconnected) to get the water out. Before pulling
the starting
cord check to be sure there is no water in the carburetor.
If there is,
drain it, wash it, and spray the inside surfaces lightly with
CRC 6-56 or
similar lubricant.
Dry the spark plug cords and check to make sure no water got
inside the
jackets that go over the end of the plugs. Spray them with
a water
displacing lubricant such as CRC 6-56. The ignition “black
boxes” may
need replacement, but often not. Be sure all electrical connections
are
dry and sprayed with water displacing lubricant. Try starting
it as soon
as possible, with an oil/gas mixture slightly on the rich
side. As a
general rule, the sooner you get it running the better, assuming
there’s
been no major damage such as bent rods. If it starts running,
let it run
for a long time to dry it out and lube it up. It’s still
a good idea to
take it in to a shop when you can, and to replace electrical
components,
but the bill will probably be a lot less if you’ve taken
these general
steps.
As you can see, I’ve spoken only in very general terms,
because what you
need to do varies with what you’ve dropped, where you’ve
dropped it, and
how long it’s taken you to get up the nerve to go down
and get it. I’m
just trying to give you a start in the right direction should
you find
yourself in this classic boater’s predicament without
professional help
around.
There’s more information about saving dropped items
on Tom’s Tips at www.boatus.
Just click on the Tom Neale link on the home page, go to “Tom
Neale’s Cruising for You” section, and click on
the current “Tom’s Tips.” Above all, be careful
and have fun.
|
