Submerged Outboard

[TomandKarens34]

Oil alone will not displace or remove salt. You could, in theory, use water soluable oil like the kind used in metal cutting band saws, mixed with soap and the usual ratio of water, to rinse out the motor. If this motor got saltwater in the crankcase nothing short of disassembly and washing with water and soap, then blow drying with compressed air and re-oiling it will totally guarantee it does not corrode. Been there...

[Pub911]

Thanks again everyone. Your advice is working.
Update: After following the advice on the exterior of the powerhead and interior of the cylinders provided above, the engine started (in a trashcan full of fresh water) with relative ease. It ran through the full rpm range with no disturbing sounds. There was some more white-ish smoke (not steam) than usually, I think. But I'm crossing my fingers and attributing that to the marvel mystery oil I used in the spark plug holes. I was also able to put it in and out of fwd and reverse, but did not rev it too high for fear I'd topple the trash can.

Next on the list is a lower unit oil change 2x.

Then sea trial, right?

[nk235]

About a month ago my buddy and I were dropping the dingy in the water off the dock and momentarily left the 2 stroke Yamaha outboard sitting on the dock as we helped another boat on the other side cast off. The second we turned around it was like slow motion watching as the dock rocked and the motor flumped right into the drink, fully submerged but then we caught it as it rose back up from all the air that stayed sealed in the cover. We didn't know what to do so we tried starting it and low and behold the thing started right up. The following weekend I took the cover off, misted it with fresh water and then gave it a light coating of wd40 and it has been absolutely fine. A quick drop is a lot different than sitting submerged for two days but still they make these little outboards pretty tough. Good luck with yours but I think you will be fine with it.

[negrini]

A little late now, but what damage mostly is corrosion, so submerged you delay oxidation. Take engine and dump it into a freshwater tank and leave it for some hours, or until you are able to proceed. Flush well, then go for all suggested steps here. I left mine until mechanic shop was open, 3 days later.

[merttan]

Call the insurance and get a new one... I think the dingy equipment is covered by your marine insurance as well...

[arbarnhart]

Originally Posted by Pub911

Next on the list is a lower unit oil change 2x.

Why? I sort of understand doing it once just in case, but not twice. Unless you regularly leak lower unit oil, the seals are probably fine.

I hope to crank my "new to me" motor tonight (had been in dry storage, properly donefrom the looks of it).

Edit - I was thinking about this some more. I don't understand doing it even once. The lower unit is designed to be submerged.

[sailingdog]

This is why insurance rates go up. If you make a mistake and can fix it, generally you're better off not filing a claim. Filing a small nuisance claim like a dinghy outboard that is self-inflicted is a good way to get them to not pick up your policy in the future.

Originally Posted by merttan

Call the insurance and get a new one... I think the dingy equipment is covered by your marine insurance as well...