water disaster

[Bobby]

long story short - my boat (1996 Sport w/ GT-40) had the plug in it while it was sitting outside at my parents' house (usual place of storage). We have had a lot of rain lately and I hadn't had time to check on it in a while. I get to it yesterday and it has about half an inch of water above the floor line. I drained it out, cleaned up the mess, checked the fluids for water except for the gas - which will be checked here later today.


Now when I turn the key it will make a click sound. It will do this 3 or 4 times before actually cranking over and when it does crank over, it will fire then immediately die. What needs to be done?

[darrel409]

RE: water disaster

You can start with a generous shot of WD-40 to starter and then check your kill switch.

[SquamInboards]

RE: water disaster

Before you do anything check you dipstick and make sure your oil is clean, no h20.

[Bobby]

Re: RE: water disaster

Before you do anything check you dipstick and make sure your oil is clean, no h20.

I did that, as well as checked the trans fluid. No water in either.

[Mikeski]

RE: Re: RE: water disaster

probably needs a new starter and battery (maybe an alternator too it it was under water). Nothing serious, these components just don't like being under water for extended periods of time.

[Miljack]

Drain the fuel bowl in the FCC (Fuel control cell), if it's still starting then dying, do it again.

On the starter, your battery cable contacts need to be cleaned at the starter, and you will probably need to replace the starter if it was underwater.

good luck

[Andrew]

don't just go by the dipstick!
take out the drain plug on the oil pan/hose and look to see what comes out. oil floats so if there is any water in there, u'll know right away.....

by the way, be thankful that u don't have an 80's style direct drive engine cover.... suction is a BIOTCH when one gets surrounded by water! i know from experience......

[maxpower220]

Re: RE: water disaster

You can start with a generous shot of WD-40 to starter and then check your kill switch.

I would take the starter off and clean it with electrical cleaner. If not, you will have corrosion issues with it over the winter. I had a similar issue, but the starter worked fine. After the winter, the starter was rusted solid.

[Bobby]

thanks for the help guys. I'll be getting back to work on the boat this evening.

[M3Fan]

If it's starting, then dying after a few seconds then I'd bet it's the low pressure fuel pump. That baby does not like being under water and it hangs just below the floor line. The starter will most likely have to be replaced eventually if it was submerged.