water in engine

I have a 2003 Merc 9.9 2 stroke. I noticed after it sat for a while in storage it was seized up. I could get it loosened up by forcing the flywheel for a while and it would run, then it really went downhill and I noticed one cylinder full of gunk. I think it may have gotten water inside the powerhead slowly over a period of time which froze the rings, bearings etc. It is too small to be cost effective for someone to rebuild so I have disassembled the powerhead myself and cannot find where the water may have gotten in. Gaskets do not seem to be blown through but everything on one side is nasty. 1)This engine was stored on its side (for dinghy) when not in use - is it possible the water got in that way? 2)Are there any typical places I should examine to find the water leak spot? 3)The cylinder walls do not appear scored - is there a rebuild kit available that would provide new rings, bearings etc. 4)I'm just doing this myself in my spare time because it?s so small and not that old but I don?t want to waste my time either - any suggestions?

Re: water in engine

Hi Rick,

If the exhaust ports were on the upside when the motor was stored water could have gotten in through the exhaust ports, as the exhaust side is water cooled too. If the engine is stored upright, the left over cooling water should drain harmlessly.
How pitted are the cylinders? A light honing should restore if no pitting. There should be available new rings. This site should have it, go based on the engine number: Mercury Marine Outboard Motor Parts by Engine Model
This is a two stroke motor, the crankshaft has roller bearings. If those bearings are damaged (rusty/pitted), that is bad news, the internal and outer races of those bearings are crankshaft and con rod. That could get expensive...

Good luck, Peter