Boat "sank" -- port engine just clicks

[Port0222]

I came down to my boat at the dock partially sunk. I posted last week I noticed some water in my bilge and apparently it was a larger issue than I realized. The bilge was on, but apparently could not keep up.

Long story short. -- port engine just clicks -- almost like a dead starter on a car. The water was to the filter. Is this "hydrolocked"

What's my next steps veterans? Call insurance? Take engine apart? Tow to the marina -- or is is toast?

 

[Bruce]

@HELP

 

[Bruce]

First step, pull the spark plugs, pull the lanyards and turn the key to rotate the engines. Watch for water to spray out of the spark plug holes.

 

[Bruce]

Then check the oil to see if it looks milky. If water comes out of the spark plug holes or the oil is milky you need to change the oil several times until there is no evidence of water.

 

[justason]

Can you get her out of the water asap? Let her drain, pull the plugs and crank her to see if water comes out of the cylinders. I would think priority 1 is dry everything out

I got water in my cylinders once. I had to use a vacuum in the plug holes while crankin it to dry it out.

 

[KXCam22]

As long as the water is not in the engine long, you can drain it and run it.
1. Pull the plugs a turn over to get water out.
2. Change oil with cheap stuff.
3.run enine 30 sec.
4. Change oil again. Run 1 min
5. Repeat until changed oil is clean - ie not milky with oil. Double the run interval each time.
6. Make sure the ecu are dry.
7 use jumper cables off 2nd battery

I have done this a number of times. BUT insurance may buy you a new motor so that is another avenue. Hope this helps. Cam

 

[GTBRMC]

Second what Bruce said. Also, if there is any evidence of oil In the water, the steps Bruce outlined need to happen immediately to minimize any damage.

 

[4x15mph]

Take plugs out, pull he lanyard, and turn the engine over. Couldn't hurt to throw some fogging oil into the cylinders. Once you get it started, drive it like you stole it

 

[0627Devildog]

Get it high and dry asap. . . .

 

[hobineros]

Change the oil on all ur friends cats and use that old motor oil for purging. Maybe some of them help u out by giving you a tip

 

[Port0222]

Updated -- we are high and dry. We pulled the plugs and I was not expecting that violent of amount of air. Luckily our faces were not in there looking for water.

It is 8:30 central. Heading to the parts store to get oil and plugs before they close at 9. Going to be a long night, but I appreciate how fast the forum saved my but. Not out of the woods yet, but... hopefull. If this does not work. It will be a call to insurance in the morning.

 

[Bruce]

You are going to want to change the oil many times. Perhaps 5 or more.

Walmart will have suitable oil and is open 24 hours.

Run the engine between each change. I suggest doing so with the air filter off just in case oil comes out of the intakes.

 

[RiverRat]

Once you get the engine squared away figure out what let all the water in. Scupper maybe?

 

[4x15mph]

Agree on figuring out why the water in the first place. What happened?

 

[Floyd]

Was there any water in the cylinders?

 

[Bruce]

Something we have not discussed is that it would be good to spray fogging oil into the intake while the engine is running to reduce corrosion above where the motor oil gets to.

 

[Bruce]

Was there any water in the cylinders?

He posted that water sprayed out of the cylinders.

 

[Beachbummer]

Also, once it's running is a good idea to run to operating temperature for a bit to heat everything up and evaporate any remaining water.

They used to say run it like you stole it after situations like this to make sure engine heats up everywhere and is restored without future issues hopefully.

Best of luck.

 

[Port0222]

11:32pm -- my pump is no longer pumping oil -- it did 3 swaps and got slower each time. Note to self -- buy equipment that will last so in situations like this, you are not left out to dry.

It is headed to a marina at 6am to finish doing the job. I hope that is not too long of a wait.

How should I handle this with insurance? Do they commonly cover accidents like this or am I going to fight for it?

 

[Bruce]

My guess is that your insurance will pay if you are not able to save the engine. With three oil changes and I assume some run time between them I am guessing that you will not need to make an insurance claim.