Logo

Problem Problem Problem

kevmo

New member
"As some of you might know I&#

"As some of you might know I'm the one with the 1985 Sunbird OMC 140HP 3.0L (Chevy 181 i think) with the Transom Plate Seals aka boot that needed to be replaced. Well I took it out on the lake about 3 times and it leaked a little but installed a floating bilge pump and I thought I was good. Well I took the boat out on a trip and basically the seal got bigger and my boat sank. It sank right by the launch ramp to the point of the bow sticking about 4ft out of the water. The engine cut off right about when it went under (was idling when started to sink) and the bilge was actually still working when the boat was pulled out about 30-45 min later. these are my questions

1) Is my boat a total loss?

2)If no i have heard that as long as the engine is not seased i have hope (new oil, full tune up +more)

3)If it is not salvage then what ball park for parts only to repair?


Thanks for everyone who can help me out

-Kevin"
 
"No big problem, happens every

"No big problem, happens every day.
However time is the biggest factor.
get the boat up, take out starter, have it cleaned and dried out.
Drain oil/water out of engine, fill new oil, install starter. Dry/clean out distributor, run engine on starter to all water is out of cylinders. Drain carb for water. Hook a fresh tank of gas straight to engine, install new plugs and start!!!
Run engine hot, change oil and filter, perhaps a couple of times until nearly clean. Fog down engine.
Then it is just to clean out the rest.
It may be easier sometimes to lift the engine out and let it run standing on a pallet or similar next to the boat, anyway it is easier to work later in the engine compartment when engine is out.
But remember time is the main factor, engine must NOT dry out!!!"
 
"Shoot, this happen late Satur

"Shoot, this happen late Saturday night, and the boat is about 4hrs away in Lake Havasu (about 90F)
Am I already past the dry out stage? If so now its shot?

Thanks"
 
"maybe? maybe not? the most im

"maybe? maybe not? the most important thing is to get the water out and stop any rust before it sets in. pull the spark plugs out of the engine change the oil and oil filter and get the motor spinning over spin it the motor over by hand if you have to. I grew up to not far from lake havasu and i do not remember things rusting around three due to the dry climate. If the motor has seized poor some marvel mystery oil, or wd40 or just some plain old automatic transmission fluid in the cylinders and let it set for about 2 days that will normally loosen the rust and let the pistons move again. once you get the motor spinning follow the instructions that Mr. Ringvold posted. hopefully all will go well for you"
 
"Thanks

So obviously when i


"Thanks

So obviously when i get the motor cranked over then fired up, make sure water is connected right, or let it run dry for a little?

Thanks to everyone and anyone who can help"
 
"lucky my g/f has a good eye.

"lucky my g/f has a good eye. We were leaving a lockstation once a week after I had replaced my boot. Apparently it wasn't clamped right. She saw water coming up around the doghouse.
We were in a no-wake zone, but I said F-it....
We got it on plane and I didn't stop until I had the boat on the railway cradle at home."
 
"Alright, so basically, the bo

"Alright, so basically, the boat was under for 45 min fresh water, pulled out and is sitting @ a storage yard un covered in about 90F sun and dry climate.

From what i have read, the engine might be seized or might not, either way i can get it unseized

So in a nut shell my engine/boat should be able to run with some tlc, work, parts and about a cost of $500 (parts onyly)???

Also electrical, from the gauges, to wiring, everything, what do you think???"
 
"I used to have a 4-hour '

"I used to have a 4-hour 'flat rate' for restarting 'submarines'. That even included lifting out the engine in most cases. However I had my own lorry with a HIAB crane which made it a lot easier. It is just a matter of routine and system. Go at it as soon as possible and You may be back in the water again. However disconnect all cables from generator, and just run a separate B+ to coil. Do not run any current to electrical system until all cables have dried out."
 
Back
Top